RE: Don't say what you CANNOT do in documents

["Domaschuk, Rob" <Robd -at- datalogics -dot- com>]

John asks:

> ...what are the feelings about putting
> something you cannot do in a document.

Hi John,

This is a tough one for me, as I agree with yuo, but sales and marketing
people generally agree with your PM.

Here's the compromise that seems to work for me:

Technical documents (reference guides, spec sheets, etc.), I will use
language such as "ABC does not support the automatic shut down of cell
phones in restaurants."

User-based documents (User Guides, training manuals, etc.), I try to avoid
the "you cannot", because the moment you tell someone that "you cannot look
directly at the sun during a solar eclipse with our software", some bozo is
bound to call sales and ask that they be allowed to look at the sun. 

I guess that while I don't see a problem with using "cannot", I really don't
care either way and since others do, I let them make that decision. 

Of course, it can become a creative challenege finding ways to use positive
language when telling users that they cannot firmly grasp live electrical
wires. "Grasping live electrical wires can result in unexpected results."



Rob Domaschuk    | 312.853.8337 (o)
Technical Writer | 866.741.2677 (f)
Datalogics, inc. | www.datalogics.com

"What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch?"
  - W.C. Fields



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