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.
Subject:Re: use of the word "invokes" From:Susan_Gallagher_at_Enfin-SD -at- PROTEON -dot- COM Date:Tue, 1 Feb 1994 12:36:00 EST
Mike Priestley writes:
>Now _there's_ a word with magical connotations! I use it myself, though,
>and don't think twice about it.
>I think the reason is that a lot of the stuff that happens in a computer is
>"magical", in the sense that there are objects and processes interacting
>in ways that, if they were in our physical world, they would be
>considered magic (eg objects appearing or disappearing, simple commands
>that initiate a complex and continuing reaction, etc).
***But***, Mike --
If you've ever been faced with a classroom full of
**novice** computer users who actually **believe** that...
1) it **is** a magic box
2) nothing they do can control the outcome because the box
has a mind of its own
you'd avoid the word "invoke" like the plague. If you think
not, you've got another thin*g* coming!! %^)
Sue Gallagher |
Sr. Technical Writer | "Updating a manual
Easel Corporation | is like changing tires
Enfin Technology Lab | on a moving car."
San Diego, CA | -- Edmond Weiss
Susan_Gallagher_at_Enfin-SD -at- relay -dot- proteon -dot- com |
