TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
spelled-out numbers vs. numerals for numbers < 10 online
Subject:spelled-out numbers vs. numerals for numbers < 10 online From:"Martin, Chuck" <chuckm -at- EVOLVESOFTWARE -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 28 Jan 1998 11:58:23 -0800
A question that just occurred to me. I was taught that in most cases you
should use numerals for numbers less than 10. (There are specific
exceptions.) But I'm writing solely for online right now and an
sensitive to (a) screen real estate and (b) file size. I realize that
using numerals instead of spelled-out numbers doesn't save a *lot* of
space in either case, but it seems to me that every little bit might
help, especially in an increasingly networked world where information
has to be transferred over busier and busier network lines.
So I'm wondering if it might be a better design and usability decision
for solely online documents to use numerals at pretty much all times.
Comments? Thoughts? Mandates?
--
"You don't look American."
"Everyone looks American, because Americans are from everywhere."
- Doonesbury
Chuck Martin, Technical Writer
Evolve Software | Personal
chuckm -at- evolvesoftware -dot- com | writer -at- best -dot- com
www.evolvesoftware.com | www.writeforyou.com
