1 or 2 spaces after a full stop?

[ALLI]

I've always done one space after a comma or full stop. A friend my missus works with is adamant it's 2 spaces after a full stop. I've never ever heard of this - I've done various typing courses when at school, then worked in IT for 10 years or so.

What's the rest of the world think??

 

[ALLI]

Ok, if it's 2 spaces, why doesn't WORD automatically add in the extra space if you only press once?

It might be 2 in typewriting, but in word processing I'm sure it's one. It's only one in books (unless the formatting is set to justify the text as and even sided block).

It's one space. Step into the modern world!

 

[ALLI]

And thinking about it, I used to sit near the secretary pool at my old job, and I NEVER heard them double tap the space bar. It would sound ridiculous!