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: phrasing of unavailable options From:"Parks, Beverly" <ParksB -at- EMH1 -dot- HQISEC -dot- ARMY -dot- MIL> Date:Thu, 6 Nov 1997 09:10:57 -0700
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Barb Ostapina [SMTP:Barb -dot- Ostapina -at- METROMAIL -dot- COM]
>Sent: Thursday, November 06, 1997 7:37 AM
>To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>Subject: Re: phrasing of unavailable options
>
>I think you have a good point, James. I, too, am generally opposed to
>printing possible futures. In the situation where I had to do it, however,
>it was in a record layout guide sent to customers and was done at the
>request of the technical support people. Apparently, the sales group
>published the feature although it wasn't available and the tech people were
>tired of getting calls about it. This is why I chose the phrasing "planned
>future option." Plans change. "Will be implemented..." implies too much
>certainty for me.
>
>===========
>I agree with you that "will be implemented" implies to much certainty. In
>fact, I'd bet money that the particular feature I was talking about is never
>implemented. Intentions are good but manpower is low, and more important
>things get priority above non-existent features.
>
>"Planned future options" is good; though, I think I like the sound of "future
>feature" better. Reminds me of the old television show called _Creature
>Feature_, which showed classic monster movies and such. <G>
>
>Bev Parks
>parksb -at- emh1 -dot- hqisec -dot- army -dot- mil
>
>
>
>