A last missing link for interoperable representation

[Marcel Schneider via Unicode]

On 13/01/2019 17:52, Julian Bradfield via Unicode wrote:
> On 2019-01-12, James Kass via Unicode <unicode at unicode.org> wrote:
>> This is a math formula:
>> a + b = b + a
>> ... where the estimable "mathematician" used Latin letters from ASCII as
>> though they were math alphanumerics variables.
> 
> Yup, and it's immediately understandable by anyone reading on any
> computer that understands ASCII.  That's why mathematicians write like
> that in plain text.

As far as the information goes that was running until now on this List,
Mathematicians are both using TeX and liking the Unicode math alphabets.

> 
>> This is an italicized word:
>> ������������������������
>> ... where the "geek" hacker used Latin italics letters from the math
>> alphanumeric range as though they were Latin italics letters.
> 
> It's a sequence of question marks unless you have an up to date
> Unicode font set up (which, as it happens, I don't for the terminal in
> which I read this mailing list). Since actual mathematicians don't use
> the Unicode math alphabets, there's no strong incentive to get updated
> fonts.

These statements make me fear that the font you are using might unsupport
the NARROW NO-BREAK SPACE U+202F > <. If you see a question mark between
these pointy brackets, please let us know. Because then, You’re unable to
read interoperably usable French text, too, as you’ll see double punctuation
(eg "?!") where a single mark is intended, like here !

There is a crazy typeface out there, misleadingly called 'Courier New', as if
the foundry didn’t anticipate that at some point it would be better called
"Courier Obsolete". Or they did, but… (Referring to CLDR ticket #11423.)

BTW if anybody knows a version of Courier New updated to a decent level of
Unicode support, please be so kind and share the link so I can spread the word.

> 
>> Where's the harm?
> 
> You lose your audience for no reasons other than technogeekery.

Aiming at extending the subset of environments supporting correct typesetting
is no geekery but awareness of our cultural heritage that we’re committed to
maintain and to develop, taking it over into the digital world while adapting
technology to culture, not conversely.


Best regards,

Marcel