Known Users


Known Users

Some real "characters" lurking within your Mac keyboard



Author:
Date: June , 1989
Keywords: DTP desktop publishing writing tips keyboard
Text: One of the virtues of the Macintosh is the ability to produce typesetter-like characters. For example, on most PCs and typewriters we need to hit two hyphens to emulate a dash. The following characters can be used to produce copy as much like typeset as possible. Unfortunately, no fractions are available on most LaserWriter fonts. But an authentic dash and other characters are available on the Mac, as follows: Shift-option-hyphen -- em dash Option-hyphen - en dash Option-[ '' open quote Shift-option-[ '' close quote Option-] ' single open quote Shift-option-] ' single close quote or apostrophe Option-8 * bullet Option-; * ellipsis Option-shift-5 * ligature for ''fi'' Option-shift-6 * ligature for ''fl'' An em dash is the width of a capital M in whatever font you are using. I recommend a space before and after an em dash. An en dash is half of an em dash. The latter is rarely used. An en dash is used to indicate ''to'' or ''through,'' as in ''the Arcata-San Francisco flight.'' If ''Key Caps'' is installed on your Macintosh (under the Apple menu), you can use that as a guide to finding other keyboard characters not normally found on a PC or typewriter. Be sure to explore the Key Caps desk accessory. You might be surprised at the number of characters available.

Copyright © june , 1989 by Date: June , 1989


Return to:
Known Users archive