[this] as a synonym for [this][]

[Mark Smith]

Paul Mucur wrote:

>The main use of square brackets is to denote omissions or the insertion 
>of words; for example:
>
>       "[Markdown] is a fantastic thing in my opinion and [...] it is free 
>for personal use."
>
>In the above example, the real quote could have been as follows:
>
>       "It is a fantastic thing in my opinion but, as I have found out from 
>looking on John Gruber's web site, it is free for personal use."

This: [...] is a good example of an additional use of square brackets, but its not one that is ever going to be confused with a link, is it ?

For "insertions", its not *necessary* to use *square* brackets, so this is another instance where a non-confusing alternative can be used if you run into a problem with a markdown text...

...and there is still the alternative link syntax...

I think we are kicking a dead horse here though.