Daniel Carrera wrote:
Lou Iorio wrote:
Should there be a section in the style guide about callouts in
graphics? I've seen several different font choices, borders, etc.
Also, should the style guide refer to a preferred dictionary? For
example, in the
style guide "judgment" is spelled "judgement". OO flags this as a
spelling error,
and the American Heritage dictionary lists "judgement" as an alternate
spelling.
Not big issues, I'll admit.
Disclaimer: I'm not one of the editors :-)
The style guide has both rules and recommendations. I don't see any
inmediate problem with having preferred dictionary or guidelines about
callouts in graphics, as long as they are recommendations. Especially
for the dictionary, because we have said that the maintainer of the
chapter can pick which variation of English is used for that chapter, as
long as it's used consistently.
Sidenote: there are exceptions to this rule, mostly for consistency with
the OOo interface and standard computer terminology.
One variation of Lou's idea is to have two preferred dictionaries. One
for American English and one for International English. And say that the
chapter maintainer can pick either, but apply the choice consistently.
This would be more restrictive than what we have today. Adding rules has
pros (consistency) and cons (complexity, barriers). Let's see what Jean
and Janet say.
Linda and I have been discussing guidelines for callouts in
graphics, because the differences became more noticeable when we
put together a whole book from the individual chapters.
Neither of us have had time to put together a set of guidelines
and some instructions on how to achieve the recommended results.
(Daniel wrote some good instructions for part of this, which I'll
incorporate in the ones I want to put together.) This is one of
the many "enhancement requests" I have in my to-do list for the
next edition of the books.
As for a preferred dictionary, Daniel has explained the situation
regarding spelling. There is a big difference between spelling
*errors* and acceptable spelling *variations* (typically between
US and International English). Janet and I (with input from other
members of OOoAuthors at the time) decided a year ago that as
long as any one chapter is consistent in its use of a spelling
variation, then it's okay. Personally, I don't see a need at this
time to choose a preferred dictionary or two.
Sometime next year we (the group) might revisit the question and
vote on whether to choose one variation of English (probably
International) as a standard for the next edition of the books
(and then pick a preferred dictionary, one that is available
online). But not now, please! Let's get the first edition of the
books done first.
Cheers, Jean
