If the manual is for a British audience, I'd be careful about changing the tone too much - you may offend someone with your abruptness! Fortunately we have some authentic British writers on this list who may be able to say if such language is considered normal for that audience. I'd love to know, because my docs are read by British customers... john
________________________________ From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com on behalf of Flato, Gillian Sent: Thu 8/27/2009 11:09 PM To: fram...@frameusers.com Subject: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate We are going through the grueling task of editing some manuals written by British Tech writers. It's quite painful. Why, oh why, do British Tech Writers pontificate so much? Do they know the definition of the word concise? Do they just like to hear themselves talk? Additionally, are they paid by the freakin' word? I have never seen such excessive use of as many words as possible. It's ridiculous. Didn't anyone ever tell them that when you translate a manual you actually do pay by the word so being concise is actually important! Part of that old British politeness comes through. They are so scared of offending anyone that they are afraid of giving an imperative in a manual. It's full of, "if you wish" "if you would like" "if you would be so kind as to" "if it's not to much trouble than" Give me a freakin' break. Tell the User what to do to accomplish the task and stop pontificating. It's not about you! <Thanks for letting me rant. I am tired of this manual. It's due tomorrow and I am behind schedule.> Thank you, Gillian Flato Technical Writer (Software) nanometrics 1550 Buckeye Dr. Milpitas, CA. 95035 *408.545.6316 7 408.232.5911 * gfl...@nanometrics.com <mailto:gfl...@nanometrics.com> _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as jsgamm...@imprivata.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/jsgammato%40imprivata.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.
