RE: When users want jargon

["Ed Gregory" <ed -at- gregorynet -dot- net>]

A couple of stealth approaches come to mind:

1. Read the literature on the topic to determine whether the term you are
concerned about is in wide use or not. If it appears in the professional or
trade literature on the topic, it is probably acceptable jargon. If it does
not appear in the trade press, it still might be acceptable to your local
audience.

2. Circulate a list of terms for your glossary. SMEs will often tell you if
the word should not be used at all or if it is so common that it doesn't
even need to be in the glossary.

3. Check the help desk database (if there is one) about user questions. If
users submit questions using the term, rather than questioning the term,
then it is acceptable jargon.


-Ed Gregory
"Burn your bridges ony when you can walk on water."


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