Slate article on 2 spaces after sentences... - Page 4

Saying it's "wrong" is too strong a word. It's your computer, you can do what the hell you want on it.

why would anyone feel compelled to write an article on this? it's pretty commonly known that after the advent of modern technology and the decline of typewriter use (out of which the 2-space usage gained prominence, for what practicality reason i do not remember), modern usage has changed from 2 spaces to 1. in other words, unless you are a luddite and/or still using a typewriter, then 1 space is the norm. that is all you need to know really.

If that's true... why do I have to do a global search/replace every time I edit something that someone else has written?

I learned to type on a typewriter long ago, and was taught to use two spaces after periods. I had no idea that the norm had changed until publishers of articles I'd written told me to use just one space. It's a hard habit to break, though; I still make the mistake at least once per paragraph.

I remember being taught to use two spaces in journalism and newspaper (mid-late '90s), but I don't remember ever doing it.

I had that book back when I was an editor and copywriter in the early '90s. Good times...good times.

What style manuals do you know? The Chicago Manual of Style and the AP Stylebook, which are basically the two most widely known style manuals, suggest one space.

APA recommends[ed?] two: http://www.typophile.com/node/63549
MLA says "doesn't matter": http://www.mla.org/style_faq3

I don't know anybody that follows APS..