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Subject:Re: Punctuation tips (not that you need them!) From:Aoidìn Scully <ascully -at- FLEXICOM -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 3 Jun 1999 11:17:25 +0100
You seem to presume that all tech writers are from the US. Consequently,
I think an industry-standard styleguide is a terrible idea. Since most
tech writers do reside in the US, it would no doubt use US-based
spelling and punctuation - and there is no way I am going to adhere to
that. I, and my European readership, find US style just plain wrong.
Remember there is life outside America!
Aoidin
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I think STC should. It would make our jobs easier. Maybe we should ask
them
to form a committee. I, for one, would love to participate!
Sonja Waller
Sr. Technical Writer
Smallworld Systems, Inc.
Communications Business Unit
TEL: 303.268-6163
FAX: 303.779-9945
Email:
sonja -dot- waller -at- smallworld-us -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
From: Klopfenstein, Ed (AFS) [mailto:edk -at- ACCU-FAB -dot- COM]
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 1999 11:34 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Re: Punctuation Tips (not that you need them!)
Sonja has an interesting idea, but it makes me think.
If an industry-wide styleguide is a good idea, who should set the style?
She said that adhering to one or two proven style guides (like the AP
Styleguide in newspapers and publishing) is key to good editing, and
that's
one thing missing from technical writing. Everyone does their own thing.
I
agree. She said that she uses Sun's manual of style; I use Microsoft's
and
Chicago. But where the Associated Press was a common thread through most
newspapers and publishing houses, the only common thread I can think of
in
technical writing is the STC.
Does anyone think that the STC would back an industry style guide?
Does anyone think it would be worthwhile? Or does this idea smack of
certification (which seems to be despised on this list)?
