AP misquote?
This AP piece...
“Today, Helvetica is the most widely distributed typeface in the world, if you discount Arial,” says Otmar Hoefer of German company Linotype, which now owns the design.
Wonder if he intended to say “if you include Arial” - as surely Times, Verdana or even Comic Sans are more widely distributed?
5.Apr.2007 4.47pm
Maybe he meant “Today, Helvetica is the most widely distributed typeface in the world, EVEN if you discount Arial,” instead of “Today, Helvetica is the most widely distributed typeface in the world, if you discount Arial,”?
5.Apr.2007 5.24pm
“Today, Helvetica is the most widely distributed typeface in the world, if you COUNT Arial,”
ChrisL
5.Apr.2007 5.26pm
Even better yet:
“Today, ARIAL is the most widely distributed typeface in the world, EVEN if you DISCOUNT Helvetica,”
ChrisL
5.Apr.2007 5.40pm
How about “Helvetica is the most widely distributed typeface in the world if you don’t count any font bundled with Linux, Windows, Office or the iPod, and only look at fonts shipped with Mac OS that begin with H.” ;-)
5.Apr.2007 9.13pm
Note that he said distributed, not sold, shipped, purchased, or even used. Depending on how the suits at Linotype define distribution, he could very well be speaking truthfully.
5.Apr.2007 9.35pm
Maybe - but what definition of “distribute” would make this accurate?
PS. Re truthiness - I think he was misquoted, not being untruthful.
6.Apr.2007 10.08am
Suntory time?