i was not even aware that \newcommand was there ... probably more a catch for bibtex issues

I have been using it a lot since, although Context seems to use a lot of brackets, it won't allow nested ones. For example, I have to use: \newcommand{\hfstyle}{\switchtobodyfont[15pt]} \setupheader[style=\hfstyle] because I'll get an error from: \setupheader[style=\switchtobodyfont[15pt]] Is there an easier way?

...

\setupnote[footnote][location=columns,numbercommand=\fnmstyle,textcommand=\fntstyle,textstyle=\addff{su},align={normal,hanging},split=verystrict,interaction=yes]

I don't know quite why it works, but it works---except for one little thing---there is a little vertical space between each footnote (apparently because of the \switchtobodyfont[12pt]).

that will indeed define the interlinespace; also, the regular \high command does some snapping while with the supp feature you're dependent on what the fonts delivers as ht/dp of a glyph

I don't see how could you possibly use \high{} for the footnote marks (\setupnote[footnote][?]). Besides, as I understand it, \high{} just rescales the body font---which always looks bad. So, I don't want to use \high{}. I use my numr feature which gives me exactly the right shape and height, but I have a little space between the footnotes. How do I eliminate the space? Maybe by setting a verytolerant grid for the footnotes? I don't know how.