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Will Cass wonders: <<I have read the discussions about functionality
vs. function, but what I am really looking for are alternatives for
these words. Personally, I abhor functionality. I can live with
function most of the time. However, it would be nice to have some
alternatives up my sleeve.>>
Both words are perfectly suitable, and if used properly, shouldn't lead
to abhorrence. Because the words serve a useful function, it doesn't
really matter what you and I think about their elegance or lack
thereof; if we don't like them, we should just deal with it. <g>
Part of your abhorrence likely arises from people who use the words in
place of substance. When that's the case, the solution isn't to find a
synonym: it's to eliminate the need for the word by providing the
missing substance. Rather than "the software offers great
functionality", say "with the software, you can save mankind from
itself, pay your taxes, and convince Hollywood to create movies that
don't pander to the illiterate" or "the software can walk the dog,
diaper the baby, and confound Microsoft." Now _that's_ functionality!
--Geoff Hart ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca
(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)
