words per line OT?

[Jeff Thies]

It seems that there can be too many words on a line. This is a problem
with pages that are not fixed width.

There seems to be a few problems.

1) Finding where the next line starts after finishing a long line.

2) The pages just look too wordy and it is tiring to read.

I would think that there are already "formulas" for word count, lineheight
and column width and font size.

Illumination?

Jeff

 

[Brian]

It seems that there can be too many words on a line. This is a problem
with pages that are not fixed width

There seems to be a few problems.

The short answer is that the css spec will be useful reading.

xposted to ciwa-stylesheets, f'ups set (please set followups when
xposting)

I would think that there are already "formulas" for word count,

No, but there is the css max-width property, e.g.,

p {max-width: 35em;} /* set to taste, but always use em */

http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/visudet.html#propdef-max-width

lineheight
http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/visudet.html#propdef-line-height

and column width
http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/visudet.html#propdef-width

http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/tables.html#q4

and font size.

http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/fonts.html#propdef-font-size


HTH.

 

[Matthias Gutfeldt]

It seems that there can be too many words on a line. This is a problem
with pages that are not fixed width.

It's really a problem of the ideal relationship of font size/family and
viewport width. Since most 'windowing' systems allow the user to adjust
the viewport width, it's no problem at all.

I would think that there are already "formulas" for word count, lineheight
and column width and font size.

Yes, and they're all available through google . But there's more to
it than simple formulas; the subject matter and nature of your
publication matters, too. For example, books and newspapers have
different line length, and both line lengths are ideal for their
purpose. One size doesn't fit all.


Matthias

 

[Stephen Poley]

It seems that there can be too many words on a line. This is a problem
with pages that are not fixed width.

Not really, when you consider what the fundamental concepts of a
windowing user interface are:
1. the user being able to see the interface to more than one program at
the same time;
2. the user being able to adjust the window to the size he/she wants.

If the user just applies 2, then the problem goes away.

As has already been mentioned, the CSS 'max-width' property may also
help.

There seems to be a few problems.

1) Finding where the next line starts after finishing a long line.

2) The pages just look too wordy and it is tiring to read.

If one leaves the lines very long, yes.

I would think that there are already "formulas" for word count, lineheight
and column width and font size.

Well, up to a point. When I spent some time on this a year or so back, I
discovered recommended line lengths, based on research, that differed by
30% or so. Personal preference plays a role - I don't think you can pin
down the "ideal" line length very accurately.