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Subject:Using the word "disable" From:Jillian Mcavoy <JMcavoy -at- ADGIFTS -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 20 Jul 1999 16:38:55 +0100
> I think things are becoming to PC, but unfortunately people are responding
> to this 'PC World' by becoming hypersensitive.
>
> I agree with the last discussion that the use of 'male' and 'female' is
> perfectly acceptable. I do not feel offended in any way (why should I?).
>
> I also feel that 'disable' is acceptable. But here's the catch. I am not
> disabled.
>
> I don't envy you in your situation. If it were me I'd use it.
> Jillian Flanagan-McAvoy
> Technical Writer
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Hamilton [SMTP:caxdj -at- EARTHLINK -dot- NET]
> Sent: 20 July 1999 16:30
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Using the word "disable"
>
> I'm documenting a product for technical people. The software allows you
> to send messages from one enclosed domain to another using an internet
> link with heavy-duty security. Domains are referred to as trading
> partners. Because people will be billed by volume being sent through our
> service to them, they need to be able to select who, in the outside
> world, can send them messages.
>
> The terms we're using on the GUI that allows you to make such selections
> are "enable" and "disable." For internal political reasons, I don't want
> to raise this issue unless it's likely to offend people. Absent any
> likely user outrage, I have other more important hills to die on.
>
> So please send me your opinion about whether disable is verboten and
> I'll summarize for the list. I'd really rather not start a holy war
> about this.
>
> I checked MS Manual of Style and they said that in some technical
> situations, disable is okay. This is a technical product, but the
> reference is in a GUI, so it's not a clean line. Read Me First! doesn't
> deal with it in their index.
>
> --
> Chris Hamilton
> Technical Writer
> Tampa, FL
> caxdj -at- earthlink -dot- net
>
> From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=
> =
>
>
