One space or two after a full-stop?

[zara_backdog]

It was always two spaces 20-something years ago when I first learned to use a typewriter and I guess I've just kept on doing it.

Ditto

[Chugnut]

Can't imagine why IT types are branded nerds with a thread of this calibre.

[Spacecadet]

Can't imagine why IT types are branded nerds with a thread of this calibre.

It would be geeky if there was a poll on whether to use spaces or tabs when formatting code
Personally, I'm a spaces man (preserves formatting between editors)

[DS23]

three

[expat]

Just the one. Though "back in the day" my mum used to use a typewriter and was always taught two.

Indeed, there are good reasons why typewriter rules are not the same as PC/word processor rules.

[Platypus]

Can't imagine why IT types are branded nerds with a thread of this calibre.

I'm surprised you consider the correct presentation of a document nerdy.

Perhaps you work in sales?

[TheFaQQer]

Spacing after full stop

There are three main conventions relating to the number of spaces used to separate sentences within the same paragraph:

• one widened space, typically two to three times wider than an inter-word space (traditional typography)
• two spaces (English Spacing or American Typewriter Spacing) The two spaces convention was brought out by the use of monospaced font on typewriters, and carried on solely by tradition. Most fonts used in word processors since the mid 1990's have the correct spacing already adjusted, rendering the traditional double space after a full stop obsolete.
• one space (French Spacing)

[Xenophon]

Can't imagine why IT types are branded nerds with a thread of this calibre.

WHS

I'm enjoying the responses though.

If any of you geeks want to join Xeno's How to be Cool Club, send me a PM.

[TheFaQQer]

The big question is: space or no space before an ellipsis ... ?

It depends on the context.

If you are using the ellipsis within the same sentence, then no space; if you are using the ellipsis between sentences, then include a space beforehand.

That's what CMOS says, anyway.

[oracleslave]

Can't imagine why IT types are branded nerds with a thread of this calibre.

WHS +++