TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: FW: Stuck on a Term From:Glen Warner <gdwarner -at- ricochet -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 25 May 2000 03:59:19 -0700
sinico -at- nbnet -dot- nb -dot- ca (H.Durstling) wrote:
> "There are two fields (DAYTIME TELEPHONE and E-MAIL ADDRESS) and at
least
> one of those fields must be completed. The user may decide which
field to
> complete. The fields are not required fields, they are ___________
> fields..... "
>
> =======
>
> optional fields
>
> If they are in fact optional, but they aren't, since one MUST be
filled
> out. There is probably no way to express all that meaning clearly in
a
> single word. It's like trying to pour too much milk into too small a
glass.
> Why not say "pick one?"
Good suggestion.
Alternately, you could (if the interface permits) place a radio button
next to each field. When the user selects one, the other field will
be disabled.
The problem then becomes one of "what if the user wishes to enter both
phone number and e-mail address ...?