Re: Error Messages

["Jeff Hanvey" <jewahe -at- lycos -dot- co -dot- uk>]

I'm not sure the context supports this usage. The idea is not that the
program quits working, but that an operation failed. "Stop Responding" is
correct if the program has performed some fatal operation and the user can
no longer do anything at all.

I don't have a problem with "fail" in this circumstance. If it is an issue,
reword:

"Program" could not complete the requested task: Reason why.
Jeff Hanvey
Augusta, GA
jewahe -at- lycos -dot- co -dot- uk
http://www.jewahe.net

----- Original Message -----
From: "Goober Writer" <gooberwriter -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: Error Messages


>
> > Is it okay to use the word "failed" in error
> > messages? For example,
> > "Failed to retrieve the data"
>
> MSMoS sez:
>
> In end-user documentation, use [fail] only to refer to
> disks. Use 'stop responding' to refer to programs
>
> In programmer documentation 'fail' often must be used
> For example, E-FAIL is a common status return value
> that may require a discussion of failed items


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