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: dumb question for today: button or key? From:Bill Burns <BillDB -at- ILE -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 30 Sep 1997 08:43:59 -0600
Mary writes:
> What do you choose to call the thingies that you press on
> equipment (this isn't software or computers) to make things happen? My
> SME
> likes "key" but can live with "button," which I prefer (more familiar,
> common usage). Anybody have
> (a) a better idea?
> (b) a reference?
> The thingies are like thingies you press on anything--a VCR, a
> microwave, a stereo, as in "Press the SPEED SET [thingie]."
>
If it's on a keypad or keyboard, I might call it a key. Most likely, I
would write "Press Speed Set" or "Press Delete"--or whatever the label
happened to be. The shape of the object might also dictate whether I'd
call it a key or button. If it looks like something from a keypad, I'd
call it a key. If it's round, oblong, square and flat, or some other
shape, I'd call it a button.
No references, only personal preferences.
Bill Burns | Senior Technical Writer
billdb -at- ile -dot- com| ILE Communications Group
"If the world decided to follow you today, where would you
lead them?" Victor Wooten *What Did He Say?*
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
