Preserved Topic: to "smart" quote or to not - that is the question (Page 1 of 1)

Greets

My question of the day is - when posting articles, quotes, and other text online where someone is quoted, is it best to use "smart" quotes like ?We are greatful for the job that the staff at RunningWolf does...? or should I use the simple straight quotes "We are greatful for the job that the staff at RunningWolf does..." (notice the quote marks)?

I know it's a REALLY minor issue, but my wife, who writes legal documents all day, and is ALWAYS quick to point out grammatical and punctuation issues, says that "smart" quotes are the "correct" way.

So I turn to you guys for advise. We have some content management systems that we're looking to add some functionality to, and thought we could add the "smart" quote option if it's worth it.

Thanks!



[This message has been edited by Pugzly (edited 07-15-2002).]

For web applications I don't think it matters and should be a matter of personal prefrence. I wouldn't do it simply because if they ain't on the keyboard the don't exist to me (They
re not right? you're using the ascii code? However that being said they do make a nice effect. Don't work on my Linux Box though (they are just normal so it doesn't break or anything)



.:[ Never resist a perfect moment ]:.

An argument for them: http://www.alistapart.com/stories/typography/

Details about the implementation issues: http://www.alistapart.com/stories/emen/

at the end of the day, I think that it's largely a matter of personal preference and whether or not the quotes (smart or otherwise) that you use look good with the font that you've selected for the page

the main thing in my opinion is that little gramatical and punctuation bits like this are applied consistently throughout the site
I:.

Pugzly: It is something we'll be encouraging in the GN redesign. Using opening anc losing quotes is a good thing because:

1. They are correct.

2. They make it easier for people who are scanning the page (web pages are more often scanned than read) to identify the block of text that the quote is in (i.e. there is a clear opening and closing quote).

___________________
Emps

FAQs: Emperor

Okay, thanks guys. I've built the smart quotes function into the content manager. We'll see how it works. I just hate it when the wife is right!

Thanks again!



[This message has been edited by Pugzly (edited 07-16-2002).]

Then you probably won't want her to catch you writing "greatful."