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.
Gretchen,
You don't mention the application you are using. If it is FrameMaker,
variables are probably the best way to go.
I haven't used Word for along time, but the same is true, if it supports
it.
-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-195991 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-195991 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Gretchen
StahmerDemoss
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 2:59 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: technical term consistency
I am in the final stages of editing a lab manual that consists of 24
separate labs. Now that they are all in the same place at the same time
I see that the authors were not very consistent with the way in which
they handled technical terms that are new to the user. Here are some of
ways in which they handled it:
(I hope the italics come through.)
1. Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain internal
conditions (e.g., temperature, pH, hydration).
2. Heart rate has been recognized as a vital sign-an indicator of
health disease, excitement, and stress.
3. The cardiovascular system responds to exercise with an increase in
heart rate resulting in a higher cardiac output (quantity of blood
pumped through the heart per unit of time).
4. Major determinants of blood pressure are heart rate, amount of blood
pumped with each beat (stroke volume) , and the resistance of the
arterial system which is receiving the blood.
What is the right way to handle the technical terms? Any suggestions on
how I can get them to be consistent throughout the manual?
Thanks in advance,
Gretchen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gretchen Stahmer DeMoss
Technical Publications Manager
Vernier Software & Technology
13979 SW Millikan Way
Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
www.vernier.com
phone: (503) 277-2299 or (888) 837-6437
fax: (503) 277-2440
============================================================
The information contained in this message may be privileged
and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader
of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee
or agent responsible for delivering this message to the
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any reproduction,
dissemination or distribution of this communication is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error,
please notify us immediately by replying to the message and
deleting it from your computer. Thank you. Tellabs
============================================================
Now Shipping -- WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word! Easily create online
Help. And online anything else. Redesigned interface with a new
project-based workflow. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Doc-To-Help 2005 now has RoboHelp Converter and HTML Source: Author
content and configure Help in MS Word or any HTML editor. No
proprietary editor! *August release. http://www.componentone.com/TECHWRL/DocToHelp2005
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
