RE: Can style trump grammar rules?

["Kate Dupuis" <kate -dot- dupuis -at- eclinicalworks -dot- com>]

We use a lot of small caps in our documentation, specifically for headings.
So, for example, if the heading was "Heading," the H would be a regular cap,
and the "eading" would be small caps.  

It satisfies the bosses, who wanted the headings in caps, and is still
easily read.  There's almost always a compromise for style issues like this.
I work in the healthcare industry, and more and more we're seeing technical
documents doubling as marketing tools.  A lot of our documents now require
us to make references to additional products and services that the company
offers.  

Thanks,
 
Kate Dupuis
Technical Documentation

eClinicalWorks 
2 Technology Drive | Westborough, MA 01581-1727
T: 508-475-0450 ext. 15472| F: 508-836-4466 |
C: 508-615-1032
kate -dot- dupuis -at- eclinicalworks -dot- com | www.eclinicalworks.com
 
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Today's Topics:

   1. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (Debbie Hemstreet)
   2. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Chris Morton)
   3. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (McLauchlan, Kevin)
   4. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Kyle Simmons)
   5. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Chris Morton)
   6. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Shawn)
   7. OT: Criticizing your significant other (Chris Morton)
   8. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Lauren)
   9. Re: OT: Criticizing your significant other (Shawn)
  10. Re: Using jira for documentation development workflows (Shawn)
  11. some docs for Oculus Rift (Mark Giffin)
  12. RE: OT: Criticizing your significant other (McLauchlan, Kevin)
  13. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Gene Kim-Eng)
  14. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (Janoff, Steven)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 09:16:12 +0000
From: Debbie Hemstreet <D_Hemstreet -at- rambam -dot- health -dot- gov -dot- il>
To: "'shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com'" <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>, Robert Lauriston
	<robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
Cc: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID:
	
<FD4A5C5D10630245B99C7B220F3D49D657C065F4 -at- rmc-exch01 -dot- rambam -dot- health -dot- gov -dot- il>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Depending on how much text there is, all upper case is VERY difficult to
read.


Deborah 

-----Original Message-----


BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe there
are issues doing it that way.




On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:01 AM, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
wrote:

> I can't think of any context where it would be OK not to capitalize a 
> proper noun. It looks illiterate.
>
> That's a typographical convention, not grammar.
>


Thank you all!
--
*Shawn Connelly*
Technical writer
  <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>

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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 07:47:48 -0700
From: Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID:
	<CAO7RWYQx9zvx8WxBP3pJmMr+72AkxW011OhagtbnmYYtwhmNmQ -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

ALL CAPS would also reflect poorly on the author/organization, as in, "WHO
ARE THESE IMBECILES?"   ;<)

>Chris (Asking that my editorial comment be taken with a grain of salt.)



On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 2:16 AM, Debbie Hemstreet <
D_Hemstreet -at- rambam -dot- health -dot- gov -dot- il> wrote:

> Depending on how much text there is, all upper case is VERY difficult to
> read.
>
>
> Deborah
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
>
> BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> there are issues doing it that way.
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:01 AM, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> wrote:
>
> > I can't think of any context where it would be OK not to capitalize a
> > proper noun. It looks illiterate.
> >
> > That's a typographical convention, not grammar.
> >
>
>
> Thank you all!
> --
> *Shawn Connelly*
> Technical writer
>   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Read about how Georgia System Operation Corporation improved teamwork,
> communication, and efficiency using Doc-To-Help | http://bit.ly/1lRPd2l
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as
> d_hemstreet -at- rambam -dot- health -dot- gov -dot- il -dot- 
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------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 10:50:44 -0400
From: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>
To: "salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com" <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>,
	"techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID:
	
<D1E2C829C5011E4A84DAF8A184DD7CDA039BF5CBE9 -at- BEL1EXCH02 -dot- amer -dot- sfnt -dot- local>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

That's SALT...

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Morton
Sent: July-30-14 10:48 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?

ALL CAPS would also reflect poorly on the author/organization, as in, "WHO
ARE THESE IMBECILES?"   ;<)

>Chris (Asking that my editorial comment be taken with a grain of salt.)



On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 2:16 AM, Debbie Hemstreet <
D_Hemstreet -at- rambam -dot- health -dot- gov -dot- il> wrote:

> Depending on how much text there is, all upper case is VERY difficult 
> to read.
>
>
> Deborah
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
>
> BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe 
> there are issues doing it that way.
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:01 AM, Robert Lauriston 
> <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> wrote:
>
> > I can't think of any context where it would be OK not to capitalize 
> > a proper noun. It looks illiterate.
> >
> > That's a typographical convention, not grammar.
> >
>
>
> Thank you all!
> --
> *Shawn Connelly*
> Technical writer
>   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>

The information contained in this electronic mail transmission 
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------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 11:07:57 -0500
From: Kyle Simmons <kylesimmons0164 -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID:
	<CAJUsO-_=THa4Z6-wOvPawrOCrUyAFcR9aOes9BQRHqyMteJk2A -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I've seen what Shawn is talking about in multiple contexts. Recently, I was
helping my girlfriend address some envelopes. My job was just to create a
pattern for a banner and then draw the banner on all the envelopes (you
know those scrolly banners that are popular with typography right now?).
She was doing all the addressing, and I noticed that she was writing in all
lowercase. Lowercase names. Lowercase street addresses. Lowercase state
abbreviations. I was horrified. An envelope is a technical document, is it
not? What if the mail carriers just can't even cope with this deviation?
After she put me in my place for criticizing her work, I realized it was
fine and the world would not explode. All of the letters arrived at their
destinations promptly.

Style can trump grammar. The question is whether it should, and the answer
to that depends on context. I'm not sure this issue is one of grammar or
style but more of design. Design should improve usability/user experience.
Is having proper nouns in lowercase going to detract from the usability
of the document? Does it really matter to the user? Remember we're also
talking about a bulleted list. My thought is, "Who cares? Make that list
look good."


On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 12:55 AM, <techwr-l-request -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
wrote:

> Send TECHWR-L mailing list submissions to
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>
>
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: What to call a smallish document that describes a
>       particular way    to use a product? (Melanie Albrecht)
>    2. Can style trump grammar rules? (Shawn)
>    3. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Robert Lauriston)
>    4. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (Janoff, Steven)
>    5. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Shawn)
>    6. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Robert Lauriston)
>    7. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (Dan Goldstein)
>    8. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Shawn)
>    9. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Keith Hood)
>   10. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Peter Neilson)
>   11. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (McLauchlan, Kevin)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:05:16 +1000
> From: Melanie Albrecht <melanie -dot- albrecht -at- gmail -dot- com>
> To: TECHWR-L Writing <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: Re: What to call a smallish document that describes a
>         particular way  to use a product?
> Message-ID:
>         <CAHUDCWnUuDyRUNcZPYqm6vDDaTaBdBJ+UjExKQrY43=
> 0Za3i5Q -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Thanks people. I'll use "Integration Guides" in my drafts and see how it
> works.
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 25, 2014 at 1:46 AM, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> wrote:
>
> > That's what I was thinking.
> >
> > On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 6:31 AM, Lynne Wright
> > <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- tiburoninc -dot- com> wrote:
> > > Integration guides?
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 10:52:47 -0700
> From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID:
>         <CALb0BCXp4k=q2ZHhypQpYYyqUxHiDJggkwSRUf3ZHP=
> iBYHG1A -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Good day all,
>
> This seems like a noob question but I have honestly never faced this
> 'dilemma' until now.
>
> I am using a intro splash where I include bulleted highlights of the
> chapter's content. The text style is entirely lower case. This looked
great
> until I arrived at a chapter where the bulleted text  includes proper
nouns
> and names.
>
> Is it acceptable to maintain consistency of style, while breaking English
> grammar rules?
>
> Thanks,
> --
> *Shawn Connelly*
> Technical writer
>   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:01:40 -0700
> From: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> To: Shawn C <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>,       "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com"
>         <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID:
>         <
> CAN3Yy4B5uoxmobPZfdREAa85p+QGu6GqdiNKr3Jp5_S0qneuUg -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> I can't think of any context where it would be OK not to capitalize a
> proper noun. It looks illiterate.
>
> That's a typographical convention, not grammar.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:42:11 -0700
> From: "Janoff, Steven" <Steven -dot- Janoff -at- ga -dot- com>
> To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>,
>         "shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com" <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID:
>         <8053B3D6140D544AA9F34FEBF648531F098426C63C -at- TOREXCH02 -dot- ga -dot- com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Would have to see it in context.
>
> If it's a marketing piece, maybe.  If it's a tech pubs piece, probably
not.
>
> Steve
>
> PS - What is an "intro splash"?  Is this some sort of screen in a video,
> or are you talking about a print/online doc?
>
>
> On Tuesday, July 29, 2014 10:53 AM, Shawn wrote:
>
> Good day all,
>
> This seems like a noob question but I have honestly never faced this
> 'dilemma' until now.
>
> I am using a intro splash where I include bulleted highlights of the
> chapter's content. The text style is entirely lower case. This looked
great
> until I arrived at a chapter where the bulleted text  includes proper
nouns
> and names.
>
> Is it acceptable to maintain consistency of style, while breaking English
> grammar rules?
>
> Thanks,
> --
> *Shawn Connelly*
> Technical writer
>   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:42:48 -0700
> From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> To: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> Cc: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID:
>         <
> CALb0BCXBJMFrAm+ssnMsAerMPqRS05rPp0v4_zCfqEdXzw8dDw -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> There are plenty of examples of using an 'all lowercase' style. Examples
> include Vitamin water labels, McDonald's uses this format often in their
> slogans, E. E. Cummings pretty much pioneered this format, and more.
>
> It is considered a stylistic choice that conveys a hipster-like feel. I
can
> hear the groans! LOL
>
> When I began using this style (only in the chapter splash pages), I really
> liked the look but on Chapter 12, I am suddenly bothered by the notion of
> using this style on proper nouns and names (despite the aforementioned
> examples). I was seeking confirmation that it is really no big deal.
Either
> you are all a bunch of stogy old fuddy duds or this is really a big deal.
I
> kidd! :)
>
> I think I'll drop this fancy hipster thing, use proper case, and get back
> to work. :)
>
> Fortunately, the text is transformed using CSS so it is a simple matter of
> changing the property, "text-transform:lowercase;"
>
> BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
there
> are issues doing it that way.
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:01 AM, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> wrote:
>
> > I can't think of any context where it would be OK not to capitalize a
> > proper noun. It looks illiterate.
> >
> > That's a typographical convention, not grammar.
> >
>
>
> Thank you all!
> --
> *Shawn Connelly*
> Technical writer
>   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:45:57 -0700
> From: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID:
>         <CAN3Yy4DxmK2DkTPk5cOrbTzdeCbL2cMKO2rffP347gP_Za9V=
> Q -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> "ALL CAPITALS. AVOID THEM. THEY IMPAIR READABILITY BECAUSE THE EYE
> CANNOT EASILY DISTINGUISH AMON CHARACTERS THAT ARE ALL OF A UNIFORM
> SIZE."?Garner
>
> On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com> wrote:
> > BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> there
> > are issues doing it that way.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:47:08 -0400
> From: Dan Goldstein <DGoldstein -at- cytomedix -dot- com>
> To: "techwr-l -at- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID: <8901B28DA1280746950418EBF7D345025721F320E2 -at- cyto-file>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I get enough shouting at home as it is. I don't need my technical
> documents to shout at me in uppercase, too.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Shawn
> Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 2:43 PM
> To: Robert Lauriston
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
>
> There are plenty of examples of using an 'all lowercase' style. Examples
> include Vitamin water labels, McDonald's uses this format often in their
> slogans, E. E. Cummings pretty much pioneered this format, and more.
>
> It is considered a stylistic choice that conveys a hipster-like feel. I
> can hear the groans! LOL
>
> When I began using this style (only in the chapter splash pages), I really
> liked the look but on Chapter 12, I am suddenly bothered by the notion of
> using this style on proper nouns and names (despite the aforementioned
> examples). I was seeking confirmation that it is really no big deal.
Either
> you are all a bunch of stogy old fuddy duds or this is really a big deal.
I
> kidd! :)
>
> I think I'll drop this fancy hipster thing, use proper case, and get back
> to work. :)
>
> Fortunately, the text is transformed using CSS so it is a simple matter of
> changing the property, "text-transform:lowercase;"
>
> BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> there are issues doing it that way.
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:08:45 -0700
> From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID:
>         <
> CALb0BCV6BaTPMUxutBrb_YnV4J7nVwGYq+suTu6TOzn932LgCQ -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> I decided to go conventional and display proper capitalization.
>
> Thanks again to all of you. Your opinions were appreciated.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 10:52 AM, Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com> wrote:
>
> > Good day all,
> >
> > This seems like a noob question but I have honestly never faced this
> > 'dilemma' until now.
> >
> > I am using a intro splash where I include bulleted highlights of the
> > chapter's content. The text style is entirely lower case. This looked
> great
> > until I arrived at a chapter where the bulleted text  includes proper
> nouns
> > and names.
> >
> > Is it acceptable to maintain consistency of style, while breaking
English
> > grammar rules?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > --
> > *Shawn Connelly*
> > Technical writer
> >   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> >
>
>
>
> --
> *Shawn Connelly*
> Technical writer
> shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com
> <http://www.cohodata.com> <https://twitter.com/cohodata>
>
> 1490 W Broadway, Suite 200, Vancouver, BC, V6H 1H5
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:09:46 -0700
> From: Keith Hood <klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com>
> To: Shawn C <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>,       "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com"
>         <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>,  Robert Lauriston <
> robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID:
>         <1406668186 -dot- 10825 -dot- YahooMailBasic -at- web125803 -dot- mail -dot- ne1 -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> When style is considered more important than other things, that's show
> business.
>
> --------------------------------------------
> On Tue, 7/29/14, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com> wrote:
>
>  Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
>  To: "Shawn C" <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>, "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <
> techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
>  Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2014, 2:01 PM
>
>  I can't think of any
>  context where it would be OK not to capitalize a
>  proper noun. It looks illiterate.
>
>  That's a typographical
>  convention, not grammar.
>
>  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>  Read about how Georgia System Operation
>  Corporation improved teamwork, communication, and efficiency
>  using Doc-To-Help | http://bit.ly/1lRPd2l
>
>  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>  You are currently subscribed
>  to TECHWR-L as klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com -dot- 
>
>  To unsubscribe send a blank
>  email to
>  techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>
>  Send
>  administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 
>  Visit
>  http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/
>  for more resources and info.
>
>  Looking for articles on Technical
>  Communications?? Head over to our online magazine at http://techwhirl.com
>
>  Looking for the archived Techwr-l email
>  discussions?? Search our public email archives @
> http://techwr-l.com/archives
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 22:30:47 -0400
> From: "Peter Neilson" <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID: <op -dot- xjsg9librns8nc -at- localhost -dot- localdomain>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed; delsp=yes
>
> Some legal documents require UPPER CASE TEXT for legal emphasis. "If we
> put it in all caps they cannot claim they didn't see it amongst the fine
> print."
>
> On Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:47:08 -0400, Dan Goldstein
> <DGoldstein -at- cytomedix -dot- com> wrote:
>
> > I get enough shouting at home as it is. I don't need my technical
> > documents to shout at me in uppercase, too.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Shawn
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 2:43 PM
> > To: Robert Lauriston
> > Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> >
> > There are plenty of examples of using an 'all lowercase' style. Examples
> > include Vitamin water labels, McDonald's uses this format often in their
> > slogans, E. E. Cummings pretty much pioneered this format, and more.
> >
> > It is considered a stylistic choice that conveys a hipster-like feel. I
> > can hear the groans! LOL
> >
> > When I began using this style (only in the chapter splash pages), I
> > really liked the look but on Chapter 12, I am suddenly bothered by the
> > notion of using this style on proper nouns and names (despite the
> > aforementioned examples). I was seeking confirmation that it is really
> > no big deal. Either you are all a bunch of stogy old fuddy duds or this
> > is really a big deal. I kidd! :)
> >
> > I think I'll drop this fancy hipster thing, use proper case, and get
> > back to work. :)
> >
> > Fortunately, the text is transformed using CSS so it is a simple matter
> > of changing the property, "text-transform:lowercase;"
> >
> > BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> > there are issues doing it that way.
> >
> >
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > Read about how Georgia System Operation Corporation improved teamwork,
> > communication, and efficiency using Doc-To-Help | http://bit.ly/1lRPd2l
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as neilson -at- windstream -dot- net -dot- 
> >
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> > techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >
> >
> > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
> > http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources and
> > info.
> >
> > Looking for articles on Technical Communications?  Head over to our
> > online magazine at http://techwhirl.com
> >
> > Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions?  Search our public
> > email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 23:40:18 -0400
> From: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>
> To: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>,
>         "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com"   <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
> Message-ID:
>
> <D1E2C829C5011E4A84DAF8A184DD7CDA039BF5C9A5 -at- BEL1EXCH02 -dot- amer -dot- sfnt -dot- local>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> I dunno.... I instantly picked up on the missing "G"       :-)
>
> Again, I don't see a problem if it's just in headings, if somebody wants
> that style.
> Not in body text. That would be painful.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Lauriston
> Sent: July-29-14 2:46 PM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
>
> "ALL CAPITALS. AVOID THEM. THEY IMPAIR READABILITY BECAUSE THE EYE CANNOT
> EASILY DISTINGUISH AMON CHARACTERS THAT ARE ALL OF A UNIFORM SIZE."?Garner
>
> On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com> wrote:
> > BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> > there are issues doing it that way.
>
>
>
> The information contained in this electronic mail transmission
> may be privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected
> from disclosure. If you have received this communication in
> error, please notify us immediately by replying to this
> message and deleting it from your computer without copying
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>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
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> End of TECHWR-L Digest, Vol 105, Issue 22
> *****************************************
>


------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 09:57:19 -0700
From: Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID:
	<CAO7RWYSiJ6=Me7Q2bzQHGYuqACjZsw2gdimkKM0rg-ffZogZfg -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

When you begin citing proper names in a technical document, there are often
times rules set forth by the owners of those names, e.g., Microsoft
Corporation. Not following the rules set forth by trademarks and copyrights
is a no-no.

> Chris


On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 9:07 AM, Kyle Simmons <kylesimmons0164 -at- gmail -dot- com>
wrote:

> I've seen what Shawn is talking about in multiple contexts. Recently, I
was
> helping my girlfriend address some envelopes. My job was just to create a
> pattern for a banner and then draw the banner on all the envelopes (you
> know those scrolly banners that are popular with typography right now?).
> She was doing all the addressing, and I noticed that she was writing in
all
> lowercase. Lowercase names. Lowercase street addresses. Lowercase state
> abbreviations. I was horrified. An envelope is a technical document, is it
> not? What if the mail carriers just can't even cope with this deviation?
> After she put me in my place for criticizing her work, I realized it was
> fine and the world would not explode. All of the letters arrived at their
> destinations promptly.
>
> Style can trump grammar. The question is whether it should, and the answer
> to that depends on context. I'm not sure this issue is one of grammar or
> style but more of design. Design should improve usability/user experience.
> Is having proper nouns in lowercase going to detract from the usability
> of the document? Does it really matter to the user? Remember we're also
> talking about a bulleted list. My thought is, "Who cares? Make that list
> look good."
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 12:55 AM, <techwr-l-request -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> wrote:
>
> > Send TECHWR-L mailing list submissions to
> >         techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >
> > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> >         http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/listinfo/techwr-l
> > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> >         techwr-l-request -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >
> > You can reach the person managing the list at
> >         techwr-l-owner -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >
> > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> > than "Re: Contents of TECHWR-L digest..."
> >
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > TechWhirl's Email Discussion List is Sponsored by Doc-to-Help:
> >
> > Read about how Georgia System Operation Corporation improved teamwork,
> > communication, and efficiency using Doc-To-Help | http://bit.ly/1lRPd2l
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Today's Topics:
> >
> >    1. Re: What to call a smallish document that describes a
> >       particular way    to use a product? (Melanie Albrecht)
> >    2. Can style trump grammar rules? (Shawn)
> >    3. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Robert Lauriston)
> >    4. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (Janoff, Steven)
> >    5. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Shawn)
> >    6. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Robert Lauriston)
> >    7. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (Dan Goldstein)
> >    8. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Shawn)
> >    9. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Keith Hood)
> >   10. Re: Can style trump grammar rules? (Peter Neilson)
> >   11. RE: Can style trump grammar rules? (McLauchlan, Kevin)
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:05:16 +1000
> > From: Melanie Albrecht <melanie -dot- albrecht -at- gmail -dot- com>
> > To: TECHWR-L Writing <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> > Subject: Re: What to call a smallish document that describes a
> >         particular way  to use a product?
> > Message-ID:
> >         <CAHUDCWnUuDyRUNcZPYqm6vDDaTaBdBJ+UjExKQrY43=
> > 0Za3i5Q -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> >
> > Thanks people. I'll use "Integration Guides" in my drafts and see how it
> > works.
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Jul 25, 2014 at 1:46 AM, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > That's what I was thinking.
> > >
> > > On Thu, Jul 24, 2014 at 6:31 AM, Lynne Wright
> > > <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- tiburoninc -dot- com> wrote:
> > > > Integration guides?
> > >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 10:52:47 -0700
> > From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> > To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> > Subject: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID:
> >         <CALb0BCXp4k=q2ZHhypQpYYyqUxHiDJggkwSRUf3ZHP=
> > iBYHG1A -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> >
> > Good day all,
> >
> > This seems like a noob question but I have honestly never faced this
> > 'dilemma' until now.
> >
> > I am using a intro splash where I include bulleted highlights of the
> > chapter's content. The text style is entirely lower case. This looked
> great
> > until I arrived at a chapter where the bulleted text  includes proper
> nouns
> > and names.
> >
> > Is it acceptable to maintain consistency of style, while breaking
English
> > grammar rules?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > --
> > *Shawn Connelly*
> > Technical writer
> >   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:01:40 -0700
> > From: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> > To: Shawn C <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>,       "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com"
> >         <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID:
> >         <
> > CAN3Yy4B5uoxmobPZfdREAa85p+QGu6GqdiNKr3Jp5_S0qneuUg -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> >
> > I can't think of any context where it would be OK not to capitalize a
> > proper noun. It looks illiterate.
> >
> > That's a typographical convention, not grammar.
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 4
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:42:11 -0700
> > From: "Janoff, Steven" <Steven -dot- Janoff -at- ga -dot- com>
> > To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>,
> >         "shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com" <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> > Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID:
> >         <8053B3D6140D544AA9F34FEBF648531F098426C63C -at- TOREXCH02 -dot- ga -dot- com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> >
> > Would have to see it in context.
> >
> > If it's a marketing piece, maybe.  If it's a tech pubs piece, probably
> not.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > PS - What is an "intro splash"?  Is this some sort of screen in a video,
> > or are you talking about a print/online doc?
> >
> >
> > On Tuesday, July 29, 2014 10:53 AM, Shawn wrote:
> >
> > Good day all,
> >
> > This seems like a noob question but I have honestly never faced this
> > 'dilemma' until now.
> >
> > I am using a intro splash where I include bulleted highlights of the
> > chapter's content. The text style is entirely lower case. This looked
> great
> > until I arrived at a chapter where the bulleted text  includes proper
> nouns
> > and names.
> >
> > Is it acceptable to maintain consistency of style, while breaking
English
> > grammar rules?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > --
> > *Shawn Connelly*
> > Technical writer
> >   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 5
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:42:48 -0700
> > From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> > To: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> > Cc: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID:
> >         <
> > CALb0BCXBJMFrAm+ssnMsAerMPqRS05rPp0v4_zCfqEdXzw8dDw -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> >
> > There are plenty of examples of using an 'all lowercase' style. Examples
> > include Vitamin water labels, McDonald's uses this format often in their
> > slogans, E. E. Cummings pretty much pioneered this format, and more.
> >
> > It is considered a stylistic choice that conveys a hipster-like feel. I
> can
> > hear the groans! LOL
> >
> > When I began using this style (only in the chapter splash pages), I
> really
> > liked the look but on Chapter 12, I am suddenly bothered by the notion
of
> > using this style on proper nouns and names (despite the aforementioned
> > examples). I was seeking confirmation that it is really no big deal.
> Either
> > you are all a bunch of stogy old fuddy duds or this is really a big
> deal. I
> > kidd! :)
> >
> > I think I'll drop this fancy hipster thing, use proper case, and get
back
> > to work. :)
> >
> > Fortunately, the text is transformed using CSS so it is a simple matter
> of
> > changing the property, "text-transform:lowercase;"
> >
> > BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> there
> > are issues doing it that way.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:01 AM, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com
> >
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I can't think of any context where it would be OK not to capitalize a
> > > proper noun. It looks illiterate.
> > >
> > > That's a typographical convention, not grammar.
> > >
> >
> >
> > Thank you all!
> > --
> > *Shawn Connelly*
> > Technical writer
> >   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 6
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:45:57 -0700
> > From: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> > To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID:
> >         <CAN3Yy4DxmK2DkTPk5cOrbTzdeCbL2cMKO2rffP347gP_Za9V=
> > Q -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> >
> > "ALL CAPITALS. AVOID THEM. THEY IMPAIR READABILITY BECAUSE THE EYE
> > CANNOT EASILY DISTINGUISH AMON CHARACTERS THAT ARE ALL OF A UNIFORM
> > SIZE."?Garner
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com> wrote:
> > > BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> > there
> > > are issues doing it that way.
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 7
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:47:08 -0400
> > From: Dan Goldstein <DGoldstein -at- cytomedix -dot- com>
> > To: "techwr-l -at- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- techwr-l -dot- com>
> > Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID: <8901B28DA1280746950418EBF7D345025721F320E2 -at- cyto-file>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> >
> > I get enough shouting at home as it is. I don't need my technical
> > documents to shout at me in uppercase, too.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Shawn
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 2:43 PM
> > To: Robert Lauriston
> > Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> >
> > There are plenty of examples of using an 'all lowercase' style. Examples
> > include Vitamin water labels, McDonald's uses this format often in their
> > slogans, E. E. Cummings pretty much pioneered this format, and more.
> >
> > It is considered a stylistic choice that conveys a hipster-like feel. I
> > can hear the groans! LOL
> >
> > When I began using this style (only in the chapter splash pages), I
> really
> > liked the look but on Chapter 12, I am suddenly bothered by the notion
of
> > using this style on proper nouns and names (despite the aforementioned
> > examples). I was seeking confirmation that it is really no big deal.
> Either
> > you are all a bunch of stogy old fuddy duds or this is really a big
> deal. I
> > kidd! :)
> >
> > I think I'll drop this fancy hipster thing, use proper case, and get
back
> > to work. :)
> >
> > Fortunately, the text is transformed using CSS so it is a simple matter
> of
> > changing the property, "text-transform:lowercase;"
> >
> > BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> > there are issues doing it that way.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 8
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:08:45 -0700
> > From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> > To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID:
> >         <
> > CALb0BCV6BaTPMUxutBrb_YnV4J7nVwGYq+suTu6TOzn932LgCQ -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> >
> > I decided to go conventional and display proper capitalization.
> >
> > Thanks again to all of you. Your opinions were appreciated.
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 10:52 AM, Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com> wrote:
> >
> > > Good day all,
> > >
> > > This seems like a noob question but I have honestly never faced this
> > > 'dilemma' until now.
> > >
> > > I am using a intro splash where I include bulleted highlights of the
> > > chapter's content. The text style is entirely lower case. This looked
> > great
> > > until I arrived at a chapter where the bulleted text  includes proper
> > nouns
> > > and names.
> > >
> > > Is it acceptable to maintain consistency of style, while breaking
> English
> > > grammar rules?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > --
> > > *Shawn Connelly*
> > > Technical writer
> > >   <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > *Shawn Connelly*
> > Technical writer
> > shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com
> > <http://www.cohodata.com> <https://twitter.com/cohodata>
> >
> > 1490 W Broadway, Suite 200, Vancouver, BC, V6H 1H5
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 9
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:09:46 -0700
> > From: Keith Hood <klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com>
> > To: Shawn C <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>,       "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com"
> >         <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>,  Robert Lauriston <
> > robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID:
> >         <1406668186 -dot- 10825 -dot- YahooMailBasic -at- web125803 -dot- mail -dot- ne1 -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> >
> > When style is considered more important than other things, that's show
> > business.
> >
> > --------------------------------------------
> > On Tue, 7/29/14, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com> wrote:
> >
> >  Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> >  To: "Shawn C" <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>, "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <
> > techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> >  Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2014, 2:01 PM
> >
> >  I can't think of any
> >  context where it would be OK not to capitalize a
> >  proper noun. It looks illiterate.
> >
> >  That's a typographical
> >  convention, not grammar.
> >
> >  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >  Read about how Georgia System Operation
> >  Corporation improved teamwork, communication, and efficiency
> >  using Doc-To-Help | http://bit.ly/1lRPd2l
> >
> >  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> >  You are currently subscribed
> >  to TECHWR-L as klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com -dot- 
> >
> >  To unsubscribe send a blank
> >  email to
> >  techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >
> >
> >  Send
> >  administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 
> >  Visit
> >  http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/
> >  for more resources and info.
> >
> >  Looking for articles on Technical
> >  Communications?? Head over to our online magazine at
> http://techwhirl.com
> >
> >  Looking for the archived Techwr-l email
> >  discussions?? Search our public email archives @
> > http://techwr-l.com/archives
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 10
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 22:30:47 -0400
> > From: "Peter Neilson" <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>
> > To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID: <op -dot- xjsg9librns8nc -at- localhost -dot- localdomain>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed; delsp=yes
> >
> > Some legal documents require UPPER CASE TEXT for legal emphasis. "If we
> > put it in all caps they cannot claim they didn't see it amongst the fine
> > print."
> >
> > On Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:47:08 -0400, Dan Goldstein
> > <DGoldstein -at- cytomedix -dot- com> wrote:
> >
> > > I get enough shouting at home as it is. I don't need my technical
> > > documents to shout at me in uppercase, too.
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Shawn
> > > Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 2:43 PM
> > > To: Robert Lauriston
> > > Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > >
> > > There are plenty of examples of using an 'all lowercase' style.
> Examples
> > > include Vitamin water labels, McDonald's uses this format often in
> their
> > > slogans, E. E. Cummings pretty much pioneered this format, and more.
> > >
> > > It is considered a stylistic choice that conveys a hipster-like feel.
I
> > > can hear the groans! LOL
> > >
> > > When I began using this style (only in the chapter splash pages), I
> > > really liked the look but on Chapter 12, I am suddenly bothered by the
> > > notion of using this style on proper nouns and names (despite the
> > > aforementioned examples). I was seeking confirmation that it is really
> > > no big deal. Either you are all a bunch of stogy old fuddy duds or
this
> > > is really a big deal. I kidd! :)
> > >
> > > I think I'll drop this fancy hipster thing, use proper case, and get
> > > back to work. :)
> > >
> > > Fortunately, the text is transformed using CSS so it is a simple
matter
> > > of changing the property, "text-transform:lowercase;"
> > >
> > > BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> > > there are issues doing it that way.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > > Read about how Georgia System Operation Corporation improved teamwork,
> > > communication, and efficiency using Doc-To-Help |
> http://bit.ly/1lRPd2l
> > >
> > > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > >
> > > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as neilson -at- windstream -dot- net -dot- 
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> > > techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > >
> > >
> > > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
> > > http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources
> and
> > > info.
> > >
> > > Looking for articles on Technical Communications?  Head over to our
> > > online magazine at http://techwhirl.com
> > >
> > > Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions?  Search our
public
> > > email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 11
> > Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 23:40:18 -0400
> > From: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>
> > To: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>,
> >         "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com"   <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> > Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
> > Message-ID:
> >
> > <D1E2C829C5011E4A84DAF8A184DD7CDA039BF5C9A5 -at- BEL1EXCH02 -dot- amer -dot- sfnt -dot- local>
> >
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> >
> > I dunno.... I instantly picked up on the missing "G"       :-)
> >
> > Again, I don't see a problem if it's just in headings, if somebody wants
> > that style.
> > Not in body text. That would be painful.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Robert Lauriston
> > Sent: July-29-14 2:46 PM
> > To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
> >
> > "ALL CAPITALS. AVOID THEM. THEY IMPAIR READABILITY BECAUSE THE EYE
CANNOT
> > EASILY DISTINGUISH AMON CHARACTERS THAT ARE ALL OF A UNIFORM
> SIZE."?Garner
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 29, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com> wrote:
> > > BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
> > > there are issues doing it that way.
> >
> >
> >
> > The information contained in this electronic mail transmission
> > may be privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected
> > from disclosure. If you have received this communication in
> > error, please notify us immediately by replying to this
> > message and deleting it from your computer without copying
> > or disclosing it.
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > You are currently subscribed to
> > TECHWR-L.
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> > http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/listinfo/techwr-l
> > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 
> >
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> > http://www.techwhirl.com/ for more resources and info.
> >
> > Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions?  Search our public
> > email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
> >
> > End of TECHWR-L Digest, Vol 105, Issue 22
> > *****************************************
> >
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Read about how Georgia System Operation Corporation improved teamwork,
> communication, and efficiency using Doc-To-Help | http://bit.ly/1lRPd2l
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com -dot- 
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
> http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources and
> info.
>
> Looking for articles on Technical Communications?  Head over to our online
> magazine at http://techwhirl.com
>
> Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions?  Search our public
> email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
>


------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:13:04 -0700
From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
To: Kyle Simmons <kylesimmons0164 -at- gmail -dot- com>,
	"techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID:
	<CALb0BCX+2azc5uOkZQ1JCz_F4mWYY=XFQ9je+biFUiKVDKY67Q -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Kudos for the brilliant answer, Kyle! This is my perspective, as well.

I had already decided what to do with this minor dilemma prior to starting
this thread... I just thought it would be a fun techwr-l discussion and the
group didn't disappoint! Thanks to all for your valued thoughts.

BTW,
I hope you will soon learn to never criticize your significant other
(keeping this comment non-sexist). It is a lesson well worth learning for
achieving relationship harmony. :)

Take care,
Shawn


On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 9:07 AM, Kyle Simmons <kylesimmons0164 -at- gmail -dot- com>
wrote:

> I've seen what Shawn is talking about in multiple contexts. Recently, I
was
> helping my girlfriend address some envelopes. My job was just to create a
> pattern for a banner and then draw the banner on all the envelopes (you
> know those scrolly banners that are popular with typography right now?).
> She was doing all the addressing, and I noticed that she was writing in
all
> lowercase. Lowercase names. Lowercase street addresses. Lowercase state
> abbreviations. I was horrified. An envelope is a technical document, is it
> not? What if the mail carriers just can't even cope with this deviation?
> After she put me in my place for criticizing her work, I realized it was
> fine and the world would not explode. All of the letters arrived at their
> destinations promptly.
>
> Style can trump grammar. The question is whether it should, and the answer
> to that depends on context. I'm not sure this issue is one of grammar or
> style but more of design. Design should improve usability/user experience.
> Is having proper nouns in lowercase going to detract from the usability
> of the document? Does it really matter to the user? Remember we're also
> talking about a bulleted list. My thought is, "Who cares? Make that list
> look good."
>
>
>
-- 
*Shawn Connelly*
Technical writer


------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 14:04:53 -0700
From: Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: OT: Criticizing your significant other
Message-ID:
	<CAO7RWYQ1+4FULHoXcXsv4YpL+SBW++ZYEHX457POve1GG_rV+w -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

>
> BTW,
> I hope you will soon learn to never criticize your significant other
> (keeping this comment non-sexist). It is a lesson well worth learning for
> achieving relationship harmony. :)
>
> Take care,
> Shawn


For husbands, learning four magic words is imperative: "You are right,
dear."

> Chris


------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 14:16:01 -0700
From: Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID: <53D96091 -dot- 7000401 -at- writeco -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 7/29/2014 11:42 AM, Shawn wrote:
> There are plenty of examples of using an 'all lowercase' style. Examples
> include Vitamin water labels, McDonald's uses this format often in their
> slogans, E. E. Cummings pretty much pioneered this format, and more.

How important is marketing for your document? Are you marketing a 
big-name product? If you are doing a tech pub and making it look like a 
big product, then you should reconsider your style. Gimmicks look great 
when you are new to documents but they are annoying to the audience who 
wants to get information they need. You may like this style now, but 
after a few years of documenting, you will likely annoy yourself.

If I had to read a technical document that began each chapter with a 
Vitamin water page, I would think that the business providing that 
document was not serious about its product. Just read through the 
Vitamin water Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/vitaminwater

The purpose of all lowercase there is to be cute. The purpose of 
technical documentation is to provide information that the reader will 
retain. Vitamin water is not interested in memory retention; it is 
interested in making people tired and thirsty, so they will buy 
overpriced tap water with vitamins. Reading all lowercase will make a 
reader tired because there is more work in identifying necessary terms 
and context. All lowercase also looks weak. This is important for 
Vitamin water because they are trying to present an image that their 
product will invigorate its tired and weak users.

What image are you trying to present for your product?

> It is considered a stylistic choice that conveys a hipster-like feel. I
can
> hear the groans! LOL

So you understand it is wrong for technical documentation. Why choose 
it? What is it about your product that requires a "hipster-like feel"?

> When I began using this style (only in the chapter splash pages), I really
> liked the look but on Chapter 12, I am suddenly bothered by the notion of
> using this style on proper nouns and names (despite the aforementioned
> examples).

You need to view your document from the reader's perspective. 
Capitalization provides necessary context for understanding the content 
of the documentation. It, like punctuation, establishes rhythm and flow, 
as well as compartmentalization of concepts within the document.

> I was seeking confirmation that it is really no big deal.

If your product is no big deal, then proper capitalization is no big 
deal. If your document is that insignificant, then you can just make it 
into a graphic novel or comic book, depending on the complexity of your 
content.

> Either
> you are all a bunch of stogy old fuddy duds or this is really a big deal.
I
> kidd! :)

No, you're just being immature.

> I think I'll drop this fancy hipster thing, use proper case, and get back
> to work. :)
> Fortunately, the text is transformed using CSS so it is a simple matter of
> changing the property, "text-transform:lowercase;"
>
> BTW, what are your thoughts about all UPPERCASE text? I don't believe
there
> are issues doing it that way.

Are you trolling this list?




------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 15:26:02 -0700
From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
To: Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: OT: Criticizing your significant other
Message-ID:
	<CALb0BCVbZaVwUGdE6GU05+SJHgh7JtBafP9mK0bdnyvuqRGaLw -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I thought it made more sense to keep gender out of this word of advice. I'm
sure it's good advice for either side. :)

Besides, judging by one of the most recent responses to my other thread,
there is one techwr-l member with apparently, no sense of humor. [sigh]

:)

On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 2:04 PM, Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:

> >
> > BTW,
> > I hope you will soon learn to never criticize your significant other
> > (keeping this comment non-sexist). It is a lesson well worth learning
for
> > achieving relationship harmony. :)
> >
> > Take care,
> > Shawn
>
>
> For husbands, learning four magic words is imperative: "You are right,
> dear."
>
> > Chris
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Read about how Georgia System Operation Corporation improved teamwork,
> communication, and efficiency using Doc-To-Help | http://bit.ly/1lRPd2l
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as shawn -at- convergent -dot- io -dot- 
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
> http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources and
> info.
>
> Looking for articles on Technical Communications?  Head over to our online
> magazine at http://techwhirl.com
>
> Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions?  Search our public
> email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
>



-- 
*Shawn Connelly*
Technical writer
  <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>


------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:08:26 -0700
From: Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>
To: Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
Cc: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Using jira for documentation development workflows
Message-ID:
	<CALb0BCXUaYPUUc3DHXCwNM=Wd_DvvE055zU5xFOQ4d00V_n+xw -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Sorry for my silence, all.

I had forgotten about this thread.

Thanks so much for the replies. I shall read them this evening.




>
> On Fri, Jul 11, 2014 at 1:04 PM, Shawn <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com> wrote:
> > Kevin (et al),
> >
> > I noticed that you mentioned "Jira" and "documentation" in a single
> > thought. Kind of a rarity, it seems.
> >
> > I changed the subject so that I am not hijacking the other thread. :)
> >
> > Being the sole tech writer in a hard-core Linux engineering team, Jira
is
> > pretty central to all the development work here. Unfortunately, the
> current
> > Jira configuration doesn't really meet my documentation workflow
> > requirements. Additionally, I have found very little about this subject
> on
> > the Web.
> >
> > Can you/anyone offer advice (or web URLs) on how best to use Jira for
> > technical writing?
> >
> > Thank you,
> > Shawn
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 23, 2014 at 12:00 PM, McLauchlan, Kevin <
> > Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com> wrote:
> >
> >> Starting from a history of waterfall-ish development, and after more
> than
> >> two years in-progress, we are in water-agile-fall(**), trying to get to
> >> agile, and one outcome of that is that EVERY new thing I add to the
> docs is
> >> supposed to be captured as some kind of Jira issue (story, bug,
> task...).
> >>
> >> So, I never used to ask permission, and now I still don't, directly,
but
> >> the indirect effect is that that's how it now works.
> >> I have (as we say around here) a whack of issues in my backlog that
> aren't
> >> assigned to any sprint, that aren't supposed to be implemented unless
> I've
> >> got nothing to do.  That doesn't happen, of course.
> >>
> >> In reality, they'll get snuck into a DOC sprint that we writers are
> >> assigning to ourselves, packed among structural and other sanctioned
> >> stories and issues.  But I thought I'd check which way the winds blow
> for
> >> the rest of y'all*.    :-)
> >>
> >> (*I'm not southern - I just like to say "y'all" sometimes)
> >> (**actually, some product teams, here, are frighteningly agile, while
> >> others are still getting onboard - I'm in two that are at different
> places
> >> along that spectrum; if I had rhythm, you could call what I do
> "dancing"...
> >> but no )
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: techwr-l-bounces+kevin.mclauchlan=
> safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kevin.mclauchlan=
> >> safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Mike Starr
> >> Sent: June-20-14 6:39 PM
> >> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >> Subject: Re: What is not mandated is forbidden
> >>
> >> I never ask permission to put something into a document that can not
> only
> >> help the user but help reduce support queries. If you ask permission,
> >> you're just telling them to say no. Had you just put it in there
chances
> >> are good it wouldn't have been flagged as "out of spec".
> >>
> >> Best Regards,
> >>
> >> Mike
> >> --
> >> Mike Starr, Writer
> >> Technical Writer   -    Online Help Developer   -   WordPress Websites
> >> Graphic Designer - Desktop Publisher - Custom Microsoft Word templates
> >> (262) 694-1028   -  mike -at- writestarr -dot- com   -  http://www.writestarr.com
> >> President - Working Writers of Wisconsin http://www.workingwriters.org/
> >>
> >> On 6/19/2014 12:14 PM, McLauchlan, Kevin wrote:
> >> > Does everyone subscribe to the notion that customer docs should
> contain
> >> only what is necessary?
> >>
> >
> > --
> > *Shawn Connelly*
> > Technical writer
> >
>

-- 
*Shawn Connelly*
Technical writer


------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:02:51 -0700
From: Mark Giffin <mgiffin -at- earthlink -dot- net>
To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: some docs for Oculus Rift
Message-ID: <53D995BB -dot- 40107 -at- earthlink -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

There's this virtual reality headset  called Oculus Rift that's making a 
big splash. Here's some info for programmers that covers things like how 
to program it so your users don't get "simulator sickness." Very 
interesting! By the way it's a PDF produced with MS Word.

http://static.oculusvr.com/sdk-downloads/documents/OculusBestPractices.pdf

Mark Giffin
http://markgiffin.com/



------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:23:27 -0400
From: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>
To: "shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com" <shawn -at- cohodata -dot- com>, Chris Morton
	<salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: RE: OT: Criticizing your significant other
Message-ID:
	
<D1E2C829C5011E4A84DAF8A184DD7CDA039BF5D173 -at- BEL1EXCH02 -dot- amer -dot- sfnt -dot- local>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

To actually address a situation where something is going badly and it seems
the spouse is in error: 

One can be up-front and straight-forward  = Jerk!

or 

One can bend over backward couching one's objection in "I feel uncomfortable
with... " and other weasel terms  =  Passive-aggressive Jerk! 

There is no third option.    :-) 

-----Original Message-----
From:  Shawn
Sent: July-30-14 6:26 PM
To: Chris Morton
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: OT: Criticizing your significant other

I thought it made more sense to keep gender out of this word of advice. I'm
sure it's good advice for either side. :)

Besides, judging by one of the most recent responses to my other thread,
there is one techwr-l member with apparently, no sense of humor. [sigh]

:)

On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 2:04 PM, Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:

> >
> > BTW,
> > I hope you will soon learn to never criticize your significant other 
> > (keeping this comment non-sexist). It is a lesson well worth 
> > learning for achieving relationship harmony. :)
> >
> > Take care,
> > Shawn
>
>
> For husbands, learning four magic words is imperative: "You are right, 
> dear."
>
> > Chris

The information contained in this electronic mail transmission 
may be privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected 
from disclosure. If you have received this communication in 
error, please notify us immediately by replying to this 
message and deleting it from your computer without copying 
or disclosing it.




------------------------------

Message: 13
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:40:58 -0700
From: Gene Kim-Eng <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>
To: Kyle Simmons <kylesimmons0164 -at- gmail -dot- com>,
	techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID: <53D99EAA -dot- 8020303 -at- genek -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

My wife used to be a legal secretary.  She would have been grinding her 
teeth and grabbing one hand with the other a la Dr Strangelove to hold 
herself back from choking the life out of your GF.

It's not just technical writer thinking.

Gene Kim-Eng


On 7/30/2014 9:07 AM, Kyle Simmons wrote:
> She was doing all the addressing, and I noticed that she was writing in
all
> lowercase. Lowercase names. Lowercase street addresses. Lowercase state
> abbreviations. I was horrified.



------------------------------

Message: 14
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:22:22 -0700
From: "Janoff, Steven" <Steven -dot- Janoff -at- ga -dot- com>
To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>, Gene
	Kim-Eng	<techwr -at- genek -dot- com>, Kyle Simmons <kylesimmons0164 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Can style trump grammar rules?
Message-ID:
	<8053B3D6140D544AA9F34FEBF648531F098426C81D -at- TOREXCH02 -dot- ga -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Just to show that it's an acknowledged idea, but it's more of a design and
marketing/branding decision.

http://www.philosophy.com/
http://www.philosophy.com/about-us/about-us,en_US,pg.html

Note that on the About page, the style is continued even with the founder's
proper name and "u.s.a."

And under "our heritage," note this:

"our lowercase writing and children's photos remind us to live life with
curiosity, wisdom and abundant joy."

If you want to experiment, great, but be prepared for pushback.  And if you
don't get it, then enjoy it. :)

Steve


On Wednesday, July 30, 2014 6:41 PM, Gene Kim-Eng wrote:

My wife used to be a legal secretary.  She would have been grinding her
teeth and grabbing one hand with the other a la Dr Strangelove to hold
herself back from choking the life out of your GF.

It's not just technical writer thinking.

Gene Kim-Eng


On 7/30/2014 9:07 AM, Kyle Simmons wrote:
> She was doing all the addressing, and I noticed that she was writing 
> in all lowercase. Lowercase names. Lowercase street addresses. 
> Lowercase state abbreviations. I was horrified.



------------------------------

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