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.
Christi Carew wrote:
>>"You can configure an alarm to sound when a metric fails."<<
but the SME had previously written:
>>"You can configure an alarm to go off when a metric fails."<<
The question is:
>>So what does an alarm do, generically speaking?<<
Generically, an alarm warns you. I agree that "go off" is not a good phrase.
What about:
"You can configure an alarm to warn you when a metric fails."
or "You can configure an alarm to warn users when a metric fails."
Though I agree with someone else who inquired: "How can a metric fail?"
Jane Carnall
"When all else fails, read the manual.
If that doesn't work, do what it says."