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Subject:RE: Technical meaning for autonomous? From:LDurway -at- pav -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 14 Nov 2002 15:26:22 -0600
I mean "necessary" as in, you can't just omit the word altogether.
I find that in nearly all cases, the word automatic (or
automatically) doesn't add any meaning at all.
- Upon startup, the software automatically opens your last project.
- Upon startup, the software opens your last project.
Same thing, fewer words.
I think the word "automatic" just pops out so naturally
because the writer typically brings a historical context with
them when they write.
If you know that in the previous version of the software, action
X didn't occur under circumstance Y, but in this version it does,
it makes sense to say that action X is now automatic. Consider,
on the other hand, the user who isn't familiar with the previous
version. They just take it for granted that among the things that
the software does, it does action X. No big deal. The modifier
"automatically" serves only to burden their tiny little mind,
suggesting that under some unstated conditions, action X might
not occur.
Thus, the use of the word "automatic(ally)" can place a statement
in a version-specific context that is irrelevant if not confusing.
I abide by the old rule that says "version-specific references
belong in the product Release Notes." Who wants to go through
1600 pages of docs looking for each instance of "in the previous
version, you had to do things this way, but now..."?
Without the historical context, "automatic" becomes even worse.
A piece of software performs so many things under the covers that
you add no value by indicating that an action is automatic.
Yes, this is my hobby,
Lindsey
> > Can anyone give me a sentence where the word "automatic" is
> necessary?
> > Besids "automatic transmission," I mean.
> >
> > Lindsey
>
> Do you mean "necessary" as in "no other word will do",
> or as in "it makes a lot more sense than autonomous"?
>
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