Why not use the name of the software in the message instead of We. So, for example, if you are using a software called Ender Wiggens, state:
Wait while Ender Wiggens updates the database. This avoids unclear pronouns, passive voice, and has a clear antecedent. -Gillian -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Writer Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 6:52 AM To: Fred Ridder; Frame Users; Mike Wickham Subject: Re: Use of "please" in technical documentation and messages on screen Microsoft Word would chide you for using a sentence fragment. =D Nadine --- On Fri, 6/26/09, Mike Wickham <info at mikewickham.com> wrote: > From: Mike Wickham <info at mikewickham.com> > Subject: Re: Use of "please" in technical documentation and messages on screen > To: "Fred Ridder" <docudoc at hotmail.com>, "Frame Users" <framers at lists.FrameUsers.com> > Received: Friday, June 26, 2009, 9:39 AM > Actually, the way I would write the > message avoids passive voice and omits > needless words. I would write, "Updating result list. > Please wait..." > > Mike Wickham > > ----- Original Message ----- > But in order to avoid the passive voice, the UI resorts to > the first person > plural, which is also discouraged in most technical writing > style guides. At > best, the pronoun is unclear because it does not have a > clear antecedent; at > worst, it is punning words in the mouth of the company, > which can > potentially have lkegal consequences (at least in a > litigious society like > the US). > > This is one of the occasions where the passive voice is > actually > appropriate, because it is inconsequential to the user who > or what is > performing the act. All that really matters to the user is > that the process > is occurring. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > 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. > Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and > info. > > _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as gflato at nanometrics.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/gflato%40nanometrics .com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
