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Subject:An observation -- what you're used to From:"Downing, David" <DavidDowning -at- Users -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Thu, 5 May 2005 11:46:18 -0400
I wanted to share an anecdote that I think is relevant to the subject of
what makes for clear technical communication. I just got a new PC at
work, with a newer version of Windows than I'd been suing. At first, I
couldn't find the "Minimize all windows" command, but then I discovered
it had been reworded as "Show the desktop." Well, the intention was
good -- to replace jargon with normal conversational English -- but it
didn't help ME because I was USED to the older command. So if people
are used to a command, message, etc., being worded a certain way,
changing it for the better may not always be for the better.
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