Re: Fields vs. Boxes, Options, etc.

[Rebecca Merck <Rebecca -dot- Merck -at- ONESOFT -dot- COM>]

If I'm differentiating between elements in a dialog box, or trying to be
VERY specific, I use the MS terms.  But if I'm providing basic procedural
instructions to enter a value, I usually refer to it in terminology I expect
mortals to understand.  (Mortals being everyone not obsessively checking
their Style Guide, of course...)

So I'd be inclined to do your examples this way:

Click to activate Hidden Text.

...and....

Type your name in the User ID field.

-Rebecca

-----Original Message-----
From: Shannon O'Brien [mailto:sobrien -at- CDGROUP -dot- COM]
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 1999 3:02 PM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Fields vs. Boxes, Options, etc.


Hi everyone:

I was wondering what the consensus is on referring to specific parts of
dialog boxes as fields rather than the names specified in the Microsoft
Manual of Style.

For example:

Click to select the Hidden Text field vs. Click to select the Hidden Text
check box.

OR

Type your name in the User ID field vs. Type your name in the User ID text
box.

Any suggestions or comments?  We've been debating this issue here and I
would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Shannon

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