Re: "Wish" in tech docs

Subject: Re: "Wish" in tech docs
From: Barb Ostapina <Barb -dot- Ostapina -at- METROMAIL -dot- COM>
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 15:39:43 -0500

I, too, am very put off by the use of "wish." Makes it sound like something
you may not actually get to do, depending on the whims of the wish fairy
(like wishing on a star or when blowing out birthday candles -- you can
wish to edit, but maybe you will and maybe you won't). What's wrong with
"want," anyway? Sometimes, if "want" doesn't feel right, I use "prefer," as
in "select the file format you prefer to use." In Gina's example, I'd
probably *prefer* to use: From the Destination List, select a destination
to edit.
FWIW,
--B
barb -dot- ostapina -at- metromail -dot- com
...speaking only for myself.

To: TECHWR-L @ LISTSERV.OKSTATE.EDU
cc: (bcc: LOMBMML Ostapina Barb/OLS)
From: Ghertel @ ALPHA88.COM @ METROMAIL
Date: 07/21/98 02:40:45 PM AST
Subject: "Wish" in tech docs




In my response to my previous example, some list members said they would
not use the word "wish" in technical documentation. How would you rephrase
this, for example?

Step 1: From the Destination List, click on the Destination you "wish" to
edit.

Gina Hertel
Manager, Technical Communications
Alpha Technologies, Inc.
ghertel -at- alpha88 -dot- com
(732) 980-1800 Ext.749




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