Users: Use it or not, try it out and make the choice for yourself for your needs
I am not sure how the term "hacked" is applicable to this; maybe just an attempt at pejorative preemptive negation. Most fonts are derived in some aspect from some precedent font(s).
The initiating point of this thread, as I understand it, was from someone who had a specific need for this font characteristic. As far as practical utilization, I point out that with the referenced font, if the font is downloaded to the list of fonts available through Windows via the Control panel, it is then available as a selectable font from within MS Word and Excel. A user can then selectively utilize the font within a document or data report respectively. The selective use of the font can be universal within the document or can be assigned to any numbers(s) or letters within, just like other fonts can be selected within the program discretely (Word, Excel etc). The slashed zero maintains its recognition as a zero for formula and data functions. Notably when a document is then saved in PDF format, it maintains the referenced font. Additionally, in response to the lack of bold or italic aspects, when this font is used for example in Word, the bold and italic functions can be activated directly by the the selection of bold or italic modification as can be done with other accessible fonts available within Word. Yes, others users would need to install this font so zeros appear with a slash. If they do not they will simply still see a zero without slash but the zero will, as above referenced, still function as a zero in mathematical functions. I do not see what the problem is if this font is added to those available for those who have the selective need for this font variation. No one would be forced to use it, and I think it best to leave that decision up to individual users just as all the other fonts available can be selected by the individual user for their needs. In some cases a note could be added to document advising a new user of the document of the option of accessing this font if they have made the decision they are in need of this feature.
I have successfully implemented this font in Word and Excel, and occasionally saved them in PDF documents from Word and Excel without any undesirable consequences and font characteristics are carried forward into the PDFs. If someone perceives they might need this font, they can try it out and can use or not upon their own evaluation of its utility for their needs. I believe experiential evaluation is best in this case.
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not" ~Anon
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