Thanks to everyone who has already written the AP. Hopefully, we can persuade them to correct some usage errors. If you are thinking about writing, but haven't done so yet, please remember that they only accept suggestions through Novemeber 15. After that, you are just wasting your time. (possibly before then too, as they seem a little intransigent about their poor understanding of correct metric usage).
--- On Mon, 10/24/11, John M. Steele <[email protected]> wrote: From: John M. Steele <[email protected]> Subject: 2012 AP Stylebook Suggestion Form Now Open To: [email protected] Date: Monday, October 24, 2011, 12:07 PM The AP Stylebook is the "cause" of most incorrect metric usage in the media, such as the use of kph for km/h. They have a short period of accepting suggestions in the fall for the next edition of the AP Stylebook. I found the submittal form open today and they are accepting suggestions through November 15. http://www.apstylebook.com/?do=social_media I used the form to resubmit the three page analysis I sent them earlier this summer. I hope many of you will submit suggestions, in particular for the use of km/h in preference to kph, and better guidelines for when the metric should be retained in the article, as well as any other incorrect usage that bugs you. Write your suggestion in your own style. However, I think the strongest argument for km/h, and particularly automotive writers is FMVSS 101 (safety standard on instrument panel marking.) The US requires a "miles" speedometer, but allows a secondary indication in kilometers per hour. That MUST be marked km/h; kph would be an illegal marking under FMVSS 101. Automotive writers write using a symbol that Federal law forbids on the cars they write about because AP requires them to do it wrong. If you intend to comment, do so before Nov. 15. After that, the form stays up but the comments are not really accepted. They send you an email with a link you have to click on for the comment to actually go through. I learned last year they close the process after Nov. 15, so I wasted time with a suggestion no human ever saw.
