InDesign epub code cleanup

[Turtle91]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Back to the topic of IDs. This is actual code from an eBook where the <a> should be removed if it's not being used.

lit<a id="page10"></a>tle world

Thats a different thread...the Code Bloat thread

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by paperwhite13

I'd be really grateful if someone explained to me why did JSWolf say that in the quoted scenario I'm losing the caps, I'd like to understand.

When you are reducing the size of the font, you want the capitals to be full size capitals.

THIS IS INCORRECT. THIS IS CORRECT.

[JSWolf]

This is a paragraph with Death speaking.

<p>A<span class="small_caps">LL RIGHT, YOU’VE MADE YOUR POINT</span>, said Death. W<span class="small_caps">HAT PRECISELY WAS IT YOU WISHED TO KNOW</span>? Q<span class="small_caps">UITE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED THIS MORNING, PEOPLE WERE BORN, PEOPLE DIED, ALL THE TREES GREW A BIT TALLER, RIPPLES MADE INTERESTING PATTERNS ON THE SEA</span>—</p>

[paperwhite13]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Back to the topic of IDs. This is actual code from an eBook where the <a> should be removed if it's not being used.

lit<a id="page10"></a>tle world

In my opinion, if it's not being used, there's no harm in deleting it, but there's no harm in leaving it in either (just like with metadata you don't need). The thing is, the page breaks aren't exported automatically by InDesign, you have to run a script and tidy them a bit, so I have to wonder why someone went to the trouble of doing that and then left them in. In any case, if it was a book I cared about, I'd do it differently -- I'd finish what was started and I'd build a page list using those id's, and I'd feel good about having the best possible version. But that's me, I also love long, verbose metadata

[paperwhite13]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

When you are reducing the size of the font, you want the capitals to be full size capitals.

THIS IS INCORRECT. THIS IS CORRECT.

That's what you want, but it's not what I want, I've already said what I want when posting that--no regular capitals at all, check the original:

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Turtle91

My response in #122 was asking why he kept the space outside of the <small> tags. Hopefully he will answer.

In general, the technique is used to simulate small-caps… where capital letters would still be displayed larger than the lower case letters. That is done automatically using the font-variant:small-caps on devices that support it.

This is a paragraph with Death speaking. It uses a smaller font size.

<p>A<span class="small_caps">LL RIGHT, YOU’VE MADE YOUR POINT</span>, said Death. W<span class="small_caps">HAT PRECISELY WAS IT YOU WISHED TO KNOW</span>? Q<span class="small_caps">UITE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED THIS MORNING, PEOPLE WERE BORN, PEOPLE DIED, ALL THE TREES GREW A BIT TALLER, RIPPLES MADE INTERESTING PATTERNS ON THE SEA</span>—</p>

I've edited the CSS so it is using font-variant: small-caps. I moved the capitol letter inside the span and it fails as the capitol is a small-cap and not a true capitol. You do need to break up at least the words with at least two letters.

<p><span class="small_caps">ALL RIGHT, YOU’VE MADE YOUR POINT,</span> said Death. <span class="small_caps">WHAT PRECISELY WAS IT YOU WISHED TO KNOW? QUITE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED THIS MORNING, PEOPLE WERE BORN, PEOPLE DIED, ALL THE TREES GREW A BIT TALLER, RIPPLES MADE INTERESTING PATTERNS ON THE SEA</span>—</p>

[paperwhite13]

Mixing full size capitals with small caps is a matter of taste, not of grammar, but anyone is free to quote whatever grammar guide they're using to prove their point.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by paperwhite13

Mixing full size capitals with small caps is a matter of taste, not of grammar, but anyone is free to quote whatever grammar guide they're using to prove their point.

It's not a matter of grammar. It's how it's written. The question is how to best implement it in an eBook so it works in all cases.

I have found a way that might work.

In the first CSS file.

small {
  font-size: 0.8333em;
}

in the next CSS file.

@supports (font-variant: small-caps) {
small {
  font-size: 1em;
  font-variant: small-caps;
  text-transform: lowercase;
}

Now if @supports causes the entire CSS to be ignored in ADE/RMSDK, it won't matter as it's in a separate CSS file.

[paperwhite13]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's not a matter of grammar. It's how it's written.

I've just shown you an edition that proves otherwise Again, you're free to quote the rule from anywhere.

[paperwhite13]

You go with a publisher's style, but neither of them is breaking any rules.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by paperwhite13

Mixing full size capitals with small caps is a matter of taste, not of grammar, but anyone is free to quote whatever grammar guide they're using to prove their point.

This is how it should look. This is the code as is.

[paperwhite13]

It shouldn't look one way or the other; it's just how you like it and how you're used to it, it's a different thing. We should be able to find a source that says otherwise, don't you agree?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by paperwhite13

I've just shown you an edition that proves otherwise Again, you're free to quote the rule from anywhere.

I've shown you an edition that proves your wrong.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by paperwhite13

That's what you want, but it's not what I want, I've already said what I want when posting that--no regular capitals at all, check the original:

Any of the Discworld books I picked off the shelf (I have all on paper) the sentences use a regular capital at the start. Maybe some were different and like comic book style.
I did check Reaper Man for my original comment.

ISBN 0 552 13464 3
Gorgi reprinted 1997 of 1992 edition.
EAN ISBN 978 0552 134644 (because check digit changes)

Edit:
I checked the Colour of Magic and it's all caps, but a smaller size, sort of bolder than I expect actual 'small-caps'. 1983 edition reprinted 1994. However it turns out that Death is busy and it's the Demon Scrofula.

[paperwhite13]

THIS IS CORRECT. THIS IS ALSO CORRECT. (for a title)