Re: Bullets, numbers, ego conflicts

["Teri A. Ward" <taw0200 -at- eeidf002 -dot- ca -dot- boeing -dot- com>]

A possible compromise is:

a. One thing
b. Another thing
c. Something else

Although the letters may *suggest* a sequence, I
don't come across "step a" too often. Letters
also make it easier to refer to individual
items when there is a fairly long list.

My two pesos worth.

Tammie Ward
Technical Writer/Web Designer
Seattle

______________snip_________________________
> I had a job in a strife-filled office a few years ago, and this question of 
> bullets vs. numbers came up there.  We had documents with as many as 20 or 
> more bullet items on a page in some cases.  These were not sequential like a 
> series of steps; they were suggested features or potential risks.
> 
> In review meetings, I would have a question on, say, bullet 17, and everyone 
> around the table would count down the list with their pen tips (the smart 
> ones didn't move their lips *G*)
> 
> I suggested that we number the line items, and the idea was shot down 
> because assigning numbers suggested ranking and setting priorities.  Sigh.  
> That was when I realized that every line item in the document was the result 
> of clashing personalities and differing approaches to the problem.  The 
> documentation suffered because it accurately reflected the divisiveness and 
> conflicts festering among the writers and editors.
> 
> I left that job, and as far as I know, that company never did succeed with 
> the project the documentation covered.
>