I just looked on my bookshelf. I have Strunk and White's Elements of Style sitting right there! I guess the jokes on me on that one.
Thank you, Gillian Flato Technical Writer (Software) nanometrics 1550 Buckeye Dr. Milpitas, CA. 95035 (408.545.6316 7 408.232.5911 * gflato at nanometrics.com -----Original Message----- From: Writer [mailto:generic...@yahoo.ca] Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 8:30 PM To: Flato, Gillian Cc: David Spreadbury; John Sgammato; framers at frameusers.com Subject: Re: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate Maybe not, but Strunk knew the value of cutting to the chase. I have Strunk and White in my reference collection...and I use it, too. =D Nadine Flato, Gillian wrote: > They didn't have Tech Writers back then. Not applicable. > > Thank you, > > > Gillian Flato > Technical Writer (Software) > nanometrics > 1550 Buckeye Dr. > Milpitas, CA. 95035 > (408.545.6316 > 7 408.232.5911 > * gflato at nanometrics.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: David Spreadbury [mailto:dspreadb at yahoo.com] > Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 8:21 PM > To: Flato, Gillian; 'John Sgammato'; framers at frameusers.com > Subject: RE: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate > > Did I hear someone say "Willie Strunk?" > > David Spreadbury > Sr. Technical Writer > > > -----Original Message----- > From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com > [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Flato, > Gillian > Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 10:18 PM > To: John Sgammato; framers at frameusers.com > Subject: RE: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate > > I can say with authority that they majority of our customers are Asian > and they translate our manuals so we must always write with the plan > that our manuals will be translated. That means, as few words as > possible, because more words means more money. > > Also, it's not like any of their extra words add anything to the > content. They are just garbage phrases like, "if you wish." That adds no > meaning or usefulness to the manual. > > Thank you, > > > Gillian Flato > Technical Writer (Software) > nanometrics > 1550 Buckeye Dr. > Milpitas, CA. 95035 > (408.545.6316 > 7 408.232.5911 > * gflato at nanometrics.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: John Sgammato [mailto:jsgammato at IMPRIVATA.com] > Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 8:13 PM > To: Flato, Gillian; framers at frameusers.com > Subject: RE: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate > > 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-bounces at lists.frameusers.com on behalf of Flato, Gillian > Sent: Thu 8/27/2009 11:09 PM > To: framers at 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 > > * gflato at nanometrics.com <mailto:gflato at nanometrics.com> > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as jsgammato at imprivata.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/jsgammato%40imprivat > a.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > > > _______________________________________________ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as dspreadb at yahoo.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/dspreadb%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > > > _______________________________________________ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as generic668 at yahoo.ca. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/generic668%40yahoo.c a > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. 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