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: Logon question From:Stephanie Holland <SLHOLLAND -at- MICRONPC -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 6 Jan 1999 10:45:20 -0700
We follow The Microsoft Manual of Style for this terminology:
log on to, log off, logon (adj)
"Use log on to to refer to connecting to a network and log off (not log off from) to refer to disconnecting from a network. Do not use log in, log onto, log off of, logout, sign off, or sign on. An exception is when other terms are dictated by the interface. Use logon only as an adjective, as in 'logon password,' not as a noun."
According to these rules, you would be correct in writing "log on to the system."
Stephanie Holland
Technical Communication Manager
Information Technology Department
Micron Electronics (Nampa, Idaho)
slholland -at- micronpc -dot- com <mailto:slholland -at- micronpc -dot- com>
www.micronpc.com <http://www.micronpc.com>
-----Original Message-----
From: Diamanti [ mailto:diamanti -at- WHIDBEY -dot- NET <mailto:diamanti -at- WHIDBEY -dot- NET> ]
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 1999 10:22 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Logon question
We're embroiled in an office brouhaha over the terms "logon" and "log on."
According to the Wired Style Guide "logon" is a noun and "log on" is the
verb form with a necessary preposition for completing the action. What I
want to know is how you all state any instructions telling the user to, and
this is how I put it, "Log onto the system." A colleague insists it's,
"Log on the system." We've already dismissed the tester who demands that
we write, "Logon the system." Ideas?