Keep Your Thumb From Doing Double-time
If you’re old enough to remember being taught to type on an actual typewriter, you were probably taught to add two spaces after the end of a sentence. The reason for this was because typewriters had a fixed amount of space for each character.
Because of this, it was hard to distinguish where one sentence ended and the other began. Adding two spaces helped bring this separation out.
The Computer Is Not A Typewriter.
When computers came onto the scene, their ability to make more efficient use of the space for each character made this separation unnecessary. Yet, you’ll still find double spaces here and there (e.g., emails, websites).
Is it a cardinal sin to add two spaces? Nope, but why continue making your thumb do double-time when typing when it’s not really necessary? Just think how much time you’ll save typing.
[tags]tips,typewriting[/tags]
Popularity: 13% [?]
- Stop Doing These 17 Things: I was browsing the Web -- as I often do -- and stumbled upon this great post over at Productivity501. In fact, the entire site...
- 5 Sympathies For The Devil: I've been meaning to branch out a little with my writing. When I found out about Problogger's group writing contest, I saw this as an...
- I’m Guest Blogging For Garry Conn: My buddy, Garry "How to make money online" Conn, opened his doors to me and a few other bloggers to write some guest posts on...
About the Author: Mark Sierra is an online entrepreneur and web publisher. As the owner of StarFrost Media, he continues to add blogs and products to his online portfolio designed to help inform readers on software and blogging, teach them to be more productive, and even learn how to make money online.
Tay | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Heh, luckily I’m not that old.
Mark | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Hehe…the transition to the single space genre is slow. I still have people looking at me funny when I explain what they’re doing isn’t necessary. Double spacing may be an accepted practice, but definitely (hopefully?) on its way out.
Brown Baron | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Haha I remember that! I hated having to type anything using a typewriter
Hummie | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Okay, my nice comment about this just went into a black and white error screen mode….
…trying again…cause I’m curious if I can get it to go through, but golly, I don’t want to retype the other message!
Sephyroth | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
When I was taught typing, they said to do double spaces, and this was with a computer. However, I’ve almost never done that, except if it was being graded
Of course, if you’re working in straight HTML, if you do a double space, only one will be counted
Sephyroth
http://www.sephyroth.net/
Malin | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Oh yeah, I remember those double spaces
However I don’t think I’m guilty doing them on the computer 
Mark | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Hi Sephyroth, that’s an excellent point, which strengthens the reason for not doing it at all.
Mark | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Great minds think alike.
Mark | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Hi Hummie, black and white error screen? Haven’t heard of that, so if it keeps happening please let me know. Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
I am guilty. I do the double space. I did it right there twice. AAAaaaaahhhhhh! I have never in my life typed on a real typewriter. It was just what I was taught and it is habit. I thought it was still okay to do, so never thought TWICE about it. ha ha!!
Mark | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
Oh that’s okay, Jennifer. Habits are hard to break. If you’re comfortable with it, then that’s what matters.
sapheyerblu | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
I learned to type on a manual typewriter. And I’ll be honest, it’s a hopeless prospect in getting me not to do the double-thumb thing. I’ve been typing for so long that it just comes natural. I’m too old to learn new tricks.
LOL
Mark | Aug 12, 2007 | Reply
I hear ya! If it’s that natural, then you’re doing just fine.
Tish | Aug 13, 2007 | Reply
I’m also guilty of the double space. I’m doing it in this comment even! Old habits die hard. I guess I’ll keep doing it.
Mark | Aug 13, 2007 | Reply
It’ll be our secret.
Bush Mackel | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
My thumb is too fat to NOT add two spaces here and there. Sorry. (#)
Mark | Aug 14, 2007 | Reply
I think they have an ointment for that you may want to check into.