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Subject:Re: Which is correct? or Why either? From:Mark Forseth <markf -at- MERGE -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:06:17 -0600
I recommend avoiding wasting so many words describing to the end-user too
much of the inevitable.
I firmly believe in describing consequences (appears, displays, etc.) of
instructed actions for, say, a functional spec for software yet to be
created. But when it comes to helping an end user achieve an expedient
means to an end, I suggest just using the proper noun of the previous
action's consequential window, dialog box, or what have you, in the
subsequent step:
...
3. Select [OK] from the Confirmation dialog box.
4. Enter your name in the Name: field in the Sign-In window.
5. Select [Send] from the Sign-In window.
etc.
It's that simple, and it obliterates the whole debate/concern over which
self-evident verb to use.