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Re: WG: Newbie question - GUI terminology

Subject: Re: WG: Newbie question - GUI terminology
From: Beth Agnew <beth -dot- agnew -at- senecac -dot- on -dot- ca>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2006 12:37:26 -0400

The dislike for "appear" is the same as for "invoke", or any other term which implies some magical action on the part of the computer user or the computer. In the early days of personal computers, writers wanted to help users realize that the computer was just a machine, like a car, that anyone could learn how to operate. There was no "silly wand waving or foolish incantation", spell, or magical technique that would get it to work. Using magical language subtly contributed to the impression that there was arcane knowledge about computers that one needed to obtain. At the time, it seemed to take supplication to an adept in the programming priesthood to get it.

Hence we have wizards to help with some user tasks, but we don't like them. :-)

James Barrow wrote:

When I first began tech writing, a senior tech writer edited some of my
material and, wherever I used "appear", he crossed that out and added
"NEVER!". I still don't understand what the major faux pas was on that one.
--
Beth Agnew
Catch the Buzz: http://bethbuzz.blogspot.com
STC Presentation archived at:
http://www.301url.com/podcasting

Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416.491.5050 x3133
http://www.tinyurl.com/83u5u

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RE: WG: Newbie question - GUI terminology: From: James Barrow

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