• Separating measurements, like 10-foot-cube or 5-foot-square.Ok, Sean, question about that one:
In PRD the measurements are noted as 10-ft. cube, or 20-ft.-radius spread (the second case shows that using "ft." shortening of foot does not prevent following with hyphen). What determines if between the number/measurement and the shape is hyphen or there is none?Note: In theory, you’d use an en-dash for a variable number, such as “the alchemist has 1–4 1st-level potions available,” but obviously that’s supposed to be a random number, you really should just write 1d4 instead of 1–4. This also prevents 1st edition weirdness where you’d expect the reader to know that 2–7 is 1d6+1.Do I understand correctly that this would be the case used with variables that are not rolled but set by the GM, like:
Organization solitary, pair, or group (3–12)?
That could also be read as:
Organization solitary, pair, or group (1d10+2)
Why 1d10+2 and not 3d4?
Why 1d10+2 and not 3d4?
Well it could be both, but 1d10+2 would produce a linear result (equal chance of every number in the range coming up) while 3d4 would produce a bell curve (low chance of high and low results and a high chance of a number somewhere in the middle of the range).
Both could be used, but which range frequency do you prefer?
Ultimately I don't think that it matters; the punctuation would be the same. :)
I also hate the en-dash for a minus sign because it screws up copying and pasting to other programs. The computer treats a hyphen as a minus sign, not an en-dash. I had to add special code to DM's Famililar to deal with the en-dash. If pasting a stat block to Maptools, you first have to paste it to notepad (which turns it into a pipe symbol), manually fix it, and then copy & paste that to Maptools. Whether correct grammatically or not, it's a pain.
What determines if between the number/measurement and the shape is hyphen or there is none?
There is no difference. 10–foot–cube and 10–ft.–cube use the same mark.
Do I understand correctly that this would be the case used with variables that are not rolled but set by the GM, like:
Organization solitary, pair, or group (3–12)?
It's debatable whether those numbers are intended to be a die roll or intended to be set by the GM. ;)
And, as you said, 3–12 could be 1d10+2 or 3d4, which is a good reason to specify which one you intend it to be.
Thank you Grammar Girl!
I <3 Grammar Girl!
There is no difference. 10–foot–cube and 10–ft.–cube use the same mark.What determines if between the number/measurement and the shape is hyphen or there is none?
I was wondering about the second dash in each, because I don't recall ever seeing them in PRD. Example: forcecage uses "10-ft. cube" and "10-foot cube". A change in formatting or different standards for written submissions and PRD?
It's probably just that the focus on the Core Rulebook was to present a working rules set rather than spend time making sure 100% of the distance measurements were stylistically consistent about whether they said "feet" or "ft.," especially as most of those measurements were inherited from 3.5 and people didn't seem to care if some were written one way or the other.
Bigger fish to fry (like "people aren't able to buy the Player's Handbook any more and we need to get this book in stores so they can play"), and all that.
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So the 10-ft.-cube standard is what is generally expected from any freelance writers in the future?
I'd have to check the style guide, but I wouldn't be surprised if we want it one way in running text and the shorter way in stat blocks.
Our in-house, not-for-public-use Excel spreadsheet that handles most of the math and layout of building a stat block.
Our in-house, not-for-public-use Excel spreadsheet that handles most of the math and layout of building a stat block.
I see what you did there.
As someone who is looking at finally typing up one or more of his homebrew ideas in modules and/or settings this sort of clarification is fantastically useful.
Are you looking to post more on designer related subjects in the future?
Edit: Or should it be "designer-related"?
Sean, I was looking up on if there should be a space between an Em-Dash and the words surrounding it and I found conflicting answers.
What is Paizo's requirement? Should it be — like this. Or should the spacing be—like this.
In later Windows versions of MS Word (2007+)—and maybe earlier ones as well—you can create the following dashes with the corresponding quick key combinations:
– (en dash) "Ctrl"+"–" (on the number pad/10–key)
— (em dash) "Ctrl"+"Alt"+"–" (on the number pad/10–key)
However, it doesn't work if you use the "–" above your "P" key.
@Sean–
Is there any precedence for using any type of dash in footnotes?
Does anyone knows any idiot computer designer and/or word processor designer whom I could beat into bloody pulp with laptop keyboard with no numeric pad for creating such idiotic way of writing so crucial signs?
Does anyone knows any idiot computer designer and/or word processor designer whom I could beat into bloody pulp with laptop keyboard with no numeric pad for creating such idiotic way of writing so crucial signs?
If you're feeling adventurous, you can install the [url=http://keyboards.jargon-file.org/#us-oth]US (Symbol CapsLock)[/url keyboard in place of the standard US. When CapsLock is activated, the standard hyphen key (next to the 0, above the P) will make an en-dash, and shift plus the hyphen key will make an em-dash. (Also, the number keys gain a bunch of symbols while CapsLock is on, shifted and unshifted.)
Very cool post, OP. I enjoyed reading it and learning how to use the different dashes!
Does anyone knows any idiot computer designer and/or word processor designer whom I could beat into bloody pulp with laptop keyboard with no numeric pad for creating such idiotic way of writing so crucial signs?If you're feeling adventurous, you can install the US (Symbol CapsLock) keyboard in place of the standard US. When CapsLock is activated, the standard hyphen key (next to the 0, above the P) will make an en-dash, and shift plus the hyphen key will make an em-dash. (Also, the number keys gain a bunch of symbols while CapsLock is on, shifted and unshifted.)
Link fixed.
Obviously I missed some replies to this.
Tristram: My work day is so packed nowadays that I really shouldn't promise anything.
Pendin: Paizo style is to not have a space before or after the emdash—like this.
Hawkins: I'd assume you'd use whatever sort of dash is appropriate. Frex, if you have a long sentence that requires an emdash for a separate thought, use an emdash.
Once again, this is very helpful. Thanks!