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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!akgua!gatech!spaf
From: spaf@gatech.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Readability
Message-ID: <3359@gatech.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Jan-84 10:58:01 EST
Article-I.D.: gatech.3359
Posted: Wed Jan 18 10:58:01 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Jan-84 01:05:50 EST
References: <2298@fortune.UUCP>
Organization: Georgia Tech School of ICS, Atlanta
Lines: 30

There was a major discussion on the Arpa newsletters about a year ago
concerning the use of right margin justification.  Most of the studies
cited in that discussion concluded that right margin justification made
the text more difficult to read, even if it was more pleasing to the
eye.  I don't happen to remember those references, but I'm sure someone
can find them, if necessary.

However, I do agree that proper use of paragraphs helps. Indentation of
some items is also helpful. Syntax does convey some useful information
(at least to me -- let's not get into a discussion about
syntax/semantics/pragmatics/whatever).

Try not to get too carried away -- this is a medium of words, not block
graphics.  Arguments about whitespace are similar to arguments about
correct spelling and grammar.  Pretty submissions are nice to have, but
let us not confuse form with content.  The time and energy required to
format every submission to some aesthetic norm is more than most people
are willing (or able) to expend.

Finally, the slam at people using "ed" was not necessary.  There
are dumb terminals and hardcopy terminals in use at many sites.  It is
very difficult to use a screen editor when you don't have access to a
screen.  People can produce extremely sloppy-looking submissions from
any kind of editor -- and often do.  That doesn't make their comments
any less worth reading.
-- 
Off the Wall of Gene Spafford
The Clouds Project, School of ICS, Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332
CSNet:	Spaf @ GATech		ARPA:	Spaf.GATech @ CSNet-Relay
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