typography: proper use of pound sign (#)

[maximar]

A writer for my site has made a list in an article, using the # character as bullet:
http://www.adventuregamers.com/display.php?id=186

I think this looks really wrong but I can't convince him to use something else, such as a bulleted list. I know this is a long shot, but does anyone know any typography guidelines for the # character? Thanks.

[jofa]

My typographical handbook says that in a list you should use "dingbats" or numbers, not both

You could also refer to this: Visual rendering of lists
I.e. lists should be marked up as lists

[wdmny]

Why not just edit the article yourself and change the bullets to what you see fit. If the author complains, remind them that you are the owner and editor and it's your choice.

[Siltrince]

Originally posted by Wes DeMoney
Why not just edit the article yourself and change the bullets to what you see fit. If the author complains, remind them that you are the owner and editor and it's your choice.

totally agree

[l33t0r]

Actually, he's using it to mean 'number', as in Number 1, Number 2, etc

A quick google search:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...mbol+hash+sign

brings up this:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/26042.html

Hope that helps.

ps, Is the writer non-american?

[fdeaton]

That's the way I saw it also (used as number). Doesn't bother me at all--In fact I think it makes a great deal of sense to present the information this way.

[samsm]

When you use a dollar or Euro sign, it is to indicate that you are talking about particular currency. Numbers stand on their own as numbers so it is not necessary to put a number sign before each one. Since the number sign is redundant in terms of meaning, it is a dingbat and I think the rules that Jofa posted would be the ones to follow. Does that make sense?

Also...
Jofa: In which typographical handbook did you read that info?

[jofa]

Originally posted by samsm
Also...
Jofa: In which typographical handbook did you read that info?

This: http://www.bokus.com/cgi-bin/more_bo...SBN=9164611760
I think you will need this one too

[samsm]

Originally posted by jofa
I think you will need this one too

Very true.
Or at least I assume so, I need the book to know if I need the book.

[maximar]

Thanks for sharing your opinions. I think samsm made a good point. The # character doesn't really have any function in this context so I'm going to delete them.

BTW the writer is American, but I am from Europe, so we have to balance things on the site between different customs