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.
>Question -- will an audience of programmers understand
>marquee? If not, should I use the term anyway and define
>it in the glossary? Or, should I *not* use the term at
>all - and if this is the case, what should I use to
>replace it???
The additional problem here is that the term "marquee" as it is commonly used
is completely different from the term as used in the Mac environment. I
wouldn't use terms like this unless they are very metaphorical. Also, Windows
comes with a Marquee screen saver. Programmers might not confuse the function
you're describing with a screen saver, but they might identify the name more
with the function of that screen saver or a sign of some type (to relay a
message) rather than a function that magnifies a screen.
Sorry if this passage is a bit convoluted. It's nearly 5:00, and my gray
matter is beginning to solidify. 8-Q
Bill Burns *
Assm. Technical Writer/Editor * LIBERTY, n. One of imagination's most
Micron Technology, Inc. * precious possessions.
Boise, ID *
WBURNS -at- VAX -dot- MICRON -dot- COM * Ambrose Bierce