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I'm surprised they didn't cross or dot the zero. Surely differentiating O from 0 is important when eye fatigue is a problem?
by oakwhiz 8y ago
I'm surprised they didn't cross or dot the zero. Surely differentiating O from 0 is important when eye fatigue is a problem?
- _trampeltier 8y agoProbably you know usually if it's a number or text. It's more a problem in product codes etc. But yes, I agree, it would be better with crossed zeros. I even cross zeros in my handwriting.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- kaffeemitsahne 8y agoThe picture in the header does include slashed 0's though. Edit: the pdf included in the download has both variants of 0, the slashed one at unicode point E007. So it seems it's up to the user to pick one.
- olex 8y agoI imagine that a slashed zero would be used in places where both letters and numbers are possible, and a non-slashed one where only numbers are contextually expected. This seems to match the header picture: "5240N" uses a slashed zero, but all numbers-only indicators to the left are non-slashed.
- WouterSpaak 8y agoI would assume this is true. In French (where Airbus comes from) 'West' is called 'Ouest'. "5240O" would be a pain.
- jstanley 8y agoInterestingly the picture in the background of the header seems to have some 0s with a cross through and some without.
- Schlaefer 8y agoThe font provides a slashed zero in the private unicode area at E007:
- Someone 8y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slashed_zero#Similar_symbols https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slashed_zero#Similar_symbols: ”The slashed zero causes problems in all languages because it can be mistaken for 8, especially when lighting is dim, imaging or eyes are out of focus, or printing is small compared to the dot size.” I think that can be a valid reason to use regular zeroes on all kinds of numeric indicators.
- Zekio 8y agoIn danish and norwegian it can look like ø Ø which really ruins readability Edit: mostly a problem if you are from said countries tho
- Someone 8y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slashed_zero#Similar_symbols https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slashed_zero#Similar_symbols: ”The slashed zero causes problems in all languages because it can be mistaken for 8, especially when lighting is dim, imaging or eyes are out of focus, or printing is small compared to the dot size.” I think that can be a valid reason to use regular zeroes on all kinds of numeric indicators in airplanes, where context makes it clear that O’s cannot be present.
- gnulinux 8y agoHow often do you see 0/O ambiguity inn non-programming context?
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- BenjiWiebe 8y agoSerial numbers for warranty claims, though commonly look alike characters aren't in the allowed character set... But if slashed zeroes where used, it'd add another character to the character set.
- edoceo 8y agoDaily, serial numbers for regulated cannabis lots have IL10O - humans reference them hundreds of times a day
- jayalpha 8y agoPassports. German passport has alphanumeric number but no O to avoid 0/O ambiguity.
- philipps 8y agoYes. Is that only an issue in German passports or generally applies to all passports?
- jayalpha 8y agoIt is a rule for German passports. US passports don't have characters. AFAIK there is no general rule for passports. Also, some passport numbers stay with you for life (China), other change with every passport.
- gerdesj 8y agoLast night my wife was trying to enter a Tesco (supermarket) voucher code in a website and got 0 and O wrong. The code she was emailed did not use a dotted 0. She was reading the code on her phone and entering it into a web page.
- bronco21016 8y agoI can’t think of any particular instances where a O or 0 would mix in the cockpit. Switches and panels are always labeled with letters in form of words or abbreviations. Gauges use exclusively numbers for measuring some quantity, for example EGT. In cases where numbers and letter might mix there are specific rules about not using O or 0 or even 1 and L.
- travisjungroth 8y agoAirport identifiers. Both O and 0 are valid.
- bronco21016 8y agoYes but I believe they’re not permitted to both be used in an individual airport identifier. KORD or 07G are valid but 07O would not be. Just the same as they’re not both permitted in the same aircraft registration.
- marcosdumay 8y agoA lot of things that people do not actually do are permitted. And this specific rule (how to use numbers in airport codes) is completely country dependent, there is no standard.
- jlj 8y agoWhat if upper case O was mapped to lower case o. Then only o/0 are available. No chance of confusion but could be distracting or annoying to read.. end random thought..
- jstanley 8y agoIf both uppercase and lowercase "o" look the same, doesn't that ensure confusion?
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- Johnny555 8y agoThe page header on the site shows a sample avionics display, some of the 0's are slashed, some aren't. http://b612-font.com/images/photo-header.jpg http://b612-font.com/images/photo-header.jpg