Just a note on documents containing SI units. For heavy-duty desktop publishing (various Adobe products, Quark, Corel Ventura, etc.), one should use a non-breaking thin space.
For word processors and easy desktop publishing (e.g., Word and MS Publisher), one should use a non-breaking space (entered as Ctrl+space). For HTML code, the same non-breaking space as for Word should be used. If you're writing HTML directly, use instead pressing the space bar. If you're using something like MS FrontPage or MS Expression Web, Ctrl+space will do the same thing as in MS Word. (The same is probably true for other Web development software.) Bob Baumel (who was once a regular on this list) used to inveigh against the use of as it would produce a wide space on at least some Macintosh-based browsers. As I am not an Apple user, I don't know if that's still the case. Bill ________________________________ Bill Potts WFP Consulting 1848 Hidden Hills Drive Roseville, CA 95661-5804 Phone: 916 773-3865 Cell: 916 302-7176 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of James Frysinger Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 12:35 To: U.S. Metric Association Cc: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:41369] Re: Space between value and unit Please note the first sentence of section 5.3.3 of the Brochure: http://www.bipm.org/en/si/si_brochure/chapter5/5-3-2.html This sentence contains the word "always", which makes it clear that the space is not optional and therefore not subject to the user's style preference. If we can "allow" people to omit the space before unit symbols, then we must also "allow" them to add and "s" to unit symbols for the sake of indicating plurals. Jim Brian J White wrote: > I can't explain it, but the space between value and unit has always > bugged me. 1mW instead of 1 mW. Or 200kg vs 200 kg. > I'm sure in some instances where the value sort of matches the unit > (like a 0 vs an O) this space could be handy. But in general, it > drives me nuts. > > I'm sure lots of you cringe when I post to this list without the > space....but there you go. > > Visually, to me, the space is just odd...unnecessary....and wastes space. > > > -- James R. Frysinger 632 Stony Point Mountain Road Doyle, TN 38559-3030 (H) 931.657.3107 (C) 931.212.0267
