It just occurred to me that some people might not know why there is only
one space after a period in printing. The main reason has to do with
justified lines. When you justify, your word processor lenghthens every
space between words until the line is just as wide as all other lines. If
you put two spaces between words, both of those spaces are lengthened. The
result looks pretty bad, especially on short lines where lots of space had
to be added to justify them.

You can occasionally see this phenomenon in amateur publications. To a
former typesetter, it is instantly recognizable. I'm sure that other
readers must feel that something looks wrong, even if they can't figure out
what it is.

This is what happens with modern desktop publishing--when anyone can
produce a publication.

Bill

William J. McCleary
3247 Bronson Hill Road
Livonia, NY 14487
716-346-6859