Re: A tech editor seeks advice on which style guide to adopt

[Pro TechWriter <pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Hi:
For Web-based applications, I prefer Read Me First, supplemented with the
Chicago Manual of Style online. I've used the MSTP for Web applications, but
it is kind of like forcing that square peg in the round hole. It doesn't
always quite fit.

Good luck!
PT

On Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 4:29 AM, praneeta p <praneeta_paradkar -at- yahoo -dot- com>wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Recently, in one of our doc team meetings, my manager asked me to come to a
> formal decision on which style guide we should adopt as the bible for our
> team. And as it goes with managers, I have to justify my decision.
>
> So far, the writers have been using MSTP (Microsoft Style for Technical
> Publications) for two reasons:
>
> 1. It is easily available.
> 2. and free.
>
> I rather like Sun's Read Me First. The rationale appeals to me. The
> recommendations in their sound like recommendations and are less dictatorial
> than the MSTP.
>
> I would like to know which style guide would be best for web-based
> applications?
>
> Is MSTP really only for Windows-based apps or can it be adopted for
> web-based apps too?
>
> Which style guide (Sun's or MSTP) is likely to be adopted easily by the
> writers? That is not to say that I will take the path of least resistance if
> one or the other wins in merit versus ease of adoption.
>
> Kindly advise.
>
> Best always,
>
> Praneeta Paradkar
>
>
>
>
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http://www.doctohelp.com/SuperPages/Webcasts/

Help & Manual 5: The complete help authoring tool for individual
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