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.
Re: Screen vs. Window - and "right-hand" and "left-hand"
Subject:Re: Screen vs. Window - and "right-hand" and "left-hand" From:Mary McWilliams Johnson <mary -at- SUPERCONNECT -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 12 Jun 1998 20:28:39 -0500
I agree with you about the use of "pane" and "box." However, I would
suggest that you omit "hand" when describing the element's position. This
is something that bothers me (though apparently it doesn't bother most
folks).
It seems to me that it's superflous to say "right-hand" when "right" is
quite definitive by itself. If you were to try to be consistent in your
descriptions, you would also need to say "top-hand pane" or "upper-hand
pane" and "bottom-hand pane" or "lower-hand pane." You might say that
there's no more reason for saying "right-hand pane" than there is for
saying "right-foot pane."
Sorry - don't mean to be critical. Just thought I'd mention my feelings on
this subject.
Cordially,
------------------------------º><º------------------------------
Mary McWilliams Johnson
McJohnson Communications
Documentation Specialist
Web Site Design, Development and Graphics
www.superconnect.com
------------------------------º><º------------------------------
At 03:28 PM 6/12/98 -0400, Christina Downs wrote:
>In my team, we call each side a pane (for example, 'left-hand pane' and
>'right-hand pane'). This works well in Windows explorer but may not fit
>every circumstance.
>
>Another possibility (especially if you are in a dialog box) is to call
>each side a '<x>' list box, where <x> is a title at the top of each (if
>there is a title) (such as the 'Vendor' list box and the 'Product
>Information' list box).
>
>Just some ideas... Hope I helped!
>
>Chris
>Christina M. Downs
>Technical Writer, Content Development
>ServiceWare, Inc., Oakmont, PA
>412-826-1158 X225
>E-mail: downs -at- serviceware -dot- com
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Amy G. Peacock [SMTP:apeacock -at- WOLFENET -dot- COM]
>> Sent: Friday, June 12, 1998 2:50 PM
>> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>> Subject: Re: Screen vs. Window
>>
>> Hmmm...this thread interests me because I faced this kind of
>> definition distinction problem in my own writing not too long ago. One
>> of the docs I was working on has windows(the kind we all know and
>> love) on the screen (the monitor itself). BUT, there are *sections*
>> within each window. So, on the left side of the window you have
>> name/address info for vendors, and on the other side you have product
>> information for the vendors. The two sides are divided but directly
>> related to each other. So what should I call these windows within
>> windows? Vendor section? Side? Window? Should I refer to the
>> location? Left side/Right side? What a good Friday question, eh? :)
>>
>> Amy Peacock
>> techwriter & jewelrymaker
>> apeacock -at- wolfenet -dot- com
>>
>>
>> &^~~~
>> Send commands to listserv -at- listserv -dot- okstate -dot- edu (e.g., SIGNOFF
>> TECHWR-L)
>
>
>
>