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:Capitalization from GUI From:Peterson Karen <Peterson_Karen -at- PRC -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 25 Feb 1999 16:32:57 -0500
Fellow Techwhirlers,
I write end-user documentation for UNIX database segments. In several
segments, the GUI designers used all caps for things like window titles,
buttons, and check boxes. I am told that, for various reasons, the GUI can't
be changed.
My question is this: how should I capitalize things in the documents? My
best solution is to always use title caps. Does anyone know if this will
confuse the user? Is this the best solution? We don't do in-depth user
testing here... I need a concrete rule to put in our style guide.
Thanks so much for your help, as always,
Karen
______________________
Incredibly hilarious web site: http://www.hamsterdance.com/
(Watch out: it has Java and audio stuff.)
Karen Peterson
Peterson_Karen -at- prc -dot- com
610.260.2644