For status messages such as the one you cite below, I think using "please" is perfectly okay.
I also agree with omitting words that add nothing to the meaning of the sentence; however, the use of "please" can convey a specific and useful tone. It's not inappropriate for a status or feedback alert message. That said, if in a distinct case we are directing the user to perform a specific action (procedural documentation), it's true we don't want the tone to sound as if we are begging. Example: "Please back up your configuration file before you edit it." (Too soft, sounds optional) "Back up your configuration file before you edit it." [Period.] Rules are good, but who hasn't said "first you learn the rules...and then you learn to break them [in exceptional cases]"? --E.B. White himself might have uttered this once or twice. -----Original Message----- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com on behalf of Andersen, Verner Engell VEA Sent: Fri 6/26/2009 4:30 AM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: OT: Use of "please" in technical documentation and messages on screen Hi Once I learned that you shouln't use the word "please" in technical documentation - that it was like asking the reader to do you favor. Does this still hold true? Is it OK to have this message displayed on the screen of our user interface? "We are updating the result list, please wait" Best regards, Verner -------------------------------------------------------- Radiometer Medical ApS Akandevej 21 2700 Bronshoj Denmark Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 CVR: 27 50 91 85 -------------------------------------------------------- Please be advised that this email may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy or re-transmit this email. If you have received this email in error, please notify us by email by replying to the sender and by telephone (call us collect at +1 202-828-0850) and delete this message and any attachments. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance. In addition, Danaher and its subsidiaries disclaim that the content of this email constitutes an offer to enter into, or the acceptance of, any contract or agreement or any amendment thereto; provided that the foregoing disclaimer does not invalidate the binding effect of any digital or other electronic reproduction of a manual signature that is included in any attachment to this email. _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as rg...@interactivesupercomputing.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/rgray%40interactivesupercomputing.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
