Number Formatting

[DickNervous]

Is there any particular reasons that none of the numbers I have seen so far have commas in them? For example, why is it 100000 instead of 100,000?

 

[Ifandbut]

Oh man, I really hope they add commas in later versions. I just cannot read numbers over 1,000 without commas very easily. I always have to count the zeros where as with commas I can just glance at it.

 

[-Daniel-]

Add my voice to those calling for number formatting using commas. I do not want to have to draw them in myself. Please x 1,000. :mrgreen:

 

[Cugel]

I imagine the authors had a hard time too, since the Armor benefit on p.45 is 10,000 cr on the first roll, and 200,000 cr on the second.

 

[nawara]

I was also noticing the lack of commas last night. I really hope that gets fixed.

On an unrelated note, the ships use "CR####" as the format for monthly costs but "MCr#.###" as the format for purchase costs. I would recommend "Cr ####" and "MCr #.###" for readability, respectively. The monowidth font wants a space, since the R looks so much like an 8 to the casual glance.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

I believe this may be intentional on the part of Mongoose. Commas are not common in all languages and in some places, a decimal point is a comma (Germany for example), so rather than confuse some of the people, they chose to leave out the commas and confuse everyone.

Seriously, I have also seen it done like this: 10 000 vs. 10,000 vs. 10000

 

[-Daniel-]

I believe this may be intentional on the part of Mongoose. Commas are not common in all languages and in some places, a decimal point is a comma (Germany for example), so rather than confuse some of the people, they chose to leave out the commas and confuse everyone.

Seriously, I have also seen it done like this: 10 000 vs. 10,000 vs. 10000

If they had left them out consistently through out the book I would believe this as a reason. But they didn't. They use commas in some sections (top of page 151 for example) and other places in the same section they didn't (middle of page 145).

I would prefer commas, but if they are going to leave them out for some reason, it really should be consistent.

 

[CaptainOrs]

I was also noticing the lack of commas last night. I really hope that gets fixed.

On an unrelated note, the ships use "CR####" as the format for monthly costs but "MCr#.###" as the format for purchase costs. I would recommend "Cr ####" and "MCr ####" for readability, respectively. The monowidth font wants a space, since the R looks so much like an 8 to the casual glance.

Unless I misunderstood what you were saying with the MCr 2.543 versus MCr 2543, those are two different numbers. 2,543,000 credit and 2,543,000,000 credits respectively.

 

[nawara]

Unless I misunderstood what you were saying with the MCr 2.543 versus MCr 2543, those are two different numbers. 2,543,000 credit and 2,543,000,000 credits respectively.

That was just a typo on my part, sorry. Should have included a decimal in the example. (See, it's not easy!) I've corrected the post.

 

[Annatar Giftbringer]

Some form of thousands separator (no idea if that's the correct English term, I just did a straight translate from Swedish) would be nice, much easier to read. If comma and dot can confuse, then why not just a space, e.g. 1 000 000 for a million, 123 456,78 when decimals are involved.

 

[IanBruntlett]

Some form of thousands separator (no idea if that's the correct English term, I just did a straight translate from Swedish) would be nice, much easier to read. If comma and dot can confuse, then why not just a space, e.g. 1 000 000 for a million, 123 456,78 when decimals are involved.

Personally I prefer commas and one decimal point. Separating digits with spaces instead of commas wouldn't work for me.

 

[MongooseMatt]

The original intention here (ha!) was that we make greater use of MCr and KCr. Still vacillating about that.

 

[hdan]

The original intention here (ha!) was that we make greater use of MCr and KCr. Still vacillating about that.

I'm in favor of greater use of MCr and KCr - they sort of reinforce the "metric-ness" of Traveller, which in turn makes it feel more "science-y". (I probably only feel that way as an American, where we only seem to use Metric when doing science.)

 

[-Daniel-]

The original intention here (ha!) was that we make greater use of MCr and KCr. Still vacillating about that.

I'm in favor of greater use of MCr and KCr - they sort of reinforce the "metric-ness" of Traveller, which in turn makes it feel more "science-y". (I probably only feel that way as an American, where we only seem to use Metric when doing science.)

But does number have to not use commas to be more "metric-y" and "science-y"?
I agree I am glad Traveller kept the metric feel as it feels right in a sci-fi environment to me. But the lack of commas just feels like typos.

 

[hdan]

The original intention here (ha!) was that we make greater use of MCr and KCr. Still vacillating about that.

I'm in favor of greater use of MCr and KCr - they sort of reinforce the "metric-ness" of Traveller, which in turn makes it feel more "science-y". (I probably only feel that way as an American, where we only seem to use Metric when doing science.)

But does number have to not use commas to be more "metric-y" and "science-y"?
I agree I am glad Traveller kept the metric feel as it feels right in a sci-fi environment to me. But the lack of commas just feels like typos.

No, commas are critical. I was merely voicing support for using alternative units. Though it has to be in addition to proper commas.

 

[-Daniel-]

No, commas are critical. I was merely voicing support for using alternative units. Though it has to be in addition to proper commas.

Got it, then in that case we are in agreement. I like that the terms give it the science feel but I really would like the commas to be used.

 

[VenomousFiligree]

The original intention here (ha!) was that we make greater use of MCr and KCr. Still vacillating about that.

That would work if you got rid of all numbers that had/should have commas in, and replaced them with the appropriate metric prefix

And i guess that should be kCr rather than KCr...

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

The original intention here (ha!) was that we make greater use of MCr and KCr. Still vacillating about that.

A strong vote of YES for KCr and MCr. I use them a LOT in my setting. It really helps.

ALSO

Watch the significant figures! Yes, a computer/calculator will do the math to as many decimal places as you need, but honestly, who REALLY needs it to more than 3 figures (3 signifcant digits)? Even speeds, distances and times can be rounded to 3 figures.

 

[Wizard]

The original intention here (ha!) was that we make greater use of MCr and KCr. Still vacillating about that.

I like the idea of kCr and MCr, maybe even GCr. TCr starts stretching it but it is something I can get used to. Otherwise commas please, all those 0s strain my eyes.

terra = T = x1,000,000,000,000
giga = G = x1,000,000,000
mega = M = x1,000,000
kilo = k = x1,000

 

[IanBruntlett]

The original intention here (ha!) was that we make greater use of MCr and KCr. Still vacillating about that.

A strong vote of YES for KCr and MCr. I use them a LOT in my setting. It really helps.

+1