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If I were you and had the time, I would replace instances of "the user"
with "you." I tend also to use the present tense rather than mixing
future and present (and past). Of course, consistency above all!
Sean
>>>I am currently editing an older User Guide and have found
>>>that it uses "the
>>>user can do this" to describe system features, and "you will
>>>do this" to
>>>describe specific tasks. This really bugs me . . .
