Re: Numbers or Letters when labeling a graphic?

[Lin Sims <ljsims -dot- ml -at- gmail -dot- com>]

No, it's one or the other, not both. The problem he sees is that if the
procedure immediately follows the callout table that immediately follows
the labeled graphic, then you have three "1" in a row and he finds that
ambiguous. He's worked at prior positions where it has confused the user.

I can see his point on that.

He's not amenable to using a different font or inserting the word "Step"
into the numbering, though.

On Tue, Apr 24, 2018 at 9:56 AM, <sharipunyon -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:

> So, if there are both procedure references and callouts in the same
> diagram? In that case, use different formats for the numbers.
>
> If you are just worried that users will see a graphic with callouts and a
> separate procedure, just keep the callouts with the graphic, and separate
> them graphically from the rest of the text- for example in a table, or a
> smaller font. It should just be clear that the callouts travel with the
> graphic. Iâve seen it down frequently, with great clarity.
>
> > On Apr 24, 2018, at 9:38 AM, Lin Sims <ljsims -dot- ml -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> >
> > Resolution: he's fine with numbers if we can figure out a way to ensure
> > that people don't get confused if there is both a graphic with a number
> key
> > AND a procedure. I can get behind that--ambiguity is bad.
> >
> > Now to figure out a way to remove the ambiguity. If anyone has pointers
> on
> > that, let me know. I'll consult the book for a bit and see if it has
> ideas.
> >
> > Thanks for all the feedback.
> >
> >> On Tue, Apr 24, 2018 at 8:50 AM, Rosalma Arcelay <rosie -at- cpanel -dot- net>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> No one is spelling out numbers. I use Arabic digits when I label a
> >> diagram. My coworker uses letters.
> >>
> >>
> >> Oh, that makes more sense now! :)
> >>
> >> Maybe a coin toss?
> >>
> >> Rosie Arcelay
> >> Technical Writer II
> >> cPanel, Inc.
> >> rosie -at- cpanel -dot- net
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Apr 24, 2018, at 7:30 AM, Lin Sims <ljsims -dot- ml -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> >>
> >> No one is spelling out numbers. I use Arabic digits when I label a
> >> diagram. My coworker uses letters. We want to be consistent between the
> two
> >> of us, and we're disagreeing on which is better to use when labeling
> areas
> >> in a piece of hardware, locations in a floorplan, or in a software UI.
> >>
> >> I did do some research on the book I showed him, the one he rejected as
> >> "the writer doesn't know what he's talking about". Turns out the writer
> is
> >> a trained graphic designer, has a 350-cite bibliography, and this book
> is
> >> referenced in a lot of other books about illustrating technical
> information.
> >>
> >> We'll see how it goes after I point this out to him. We've not been
> >> working together too long, but so far we've managed to compromise on
> pretty
> >> much everything where our personal styles differ. I'd say we're about
> 50/50
> >> on that, which is good.
> >>
> >> On Tue, Apr 24, 2018 at 8:18 AM, Rosalma Arcelay <rosie -at- cpanel -dot- net>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I donât think I have ever seen a graphic with numbers spelled out.
> >>> That being said, the first question I would ask isâ Who is your user
> and
> >>> how will they be using this graphic?
> >>> If itâs a graphic thatâs meant to be scannable (aka, read quickly), I
> >>> would go with the numbers. Same if itâs being translated.
> >>> If itâs not, and itâs something thatâs going into a magazine, for
> >>> example, where people are taking their time to read it, then spelling
> out
> >>> numbers might work (even though it would be weird, imo).
> >>>
> >>> Rosie Arcelay
> >>> Technical Writer II
> >>> cPanel, Inc.
> >>> rosie -at- cpanel -dot- net
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Apr 24, 2018, at 1:54 AM, Erika Yanovich <ERIKA_y -at- rad -dot- com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> If not too much text is involved, I'd used call-outs/bubbles with the
> >>> actual explanation inside.
> >>> HTH,
> >>> Erika
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> >>
> >> --
> >> Lin Sims
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > Lin Sims
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-- 
Lin Sims
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