TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: American Heritage Dict. question From:Mike Pope <mikep -at- ASYMETRIX -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 8 Apr 1994 19:43:00 PDT
I have AHD-3 here at work. I've been a Webster's bigot for a very long time,
but I have to say that this dictionary has met all my needs. Some specific
points I like:
* Usage questions. If a usage is informal or questionable, it is noted,
and
occasionally there's a little extra explanation. For example, there's
an extra
paragraph on the hows and whys of using "loan" as a verb. I've agreed
with the dictionary
enough on these points that if I'm tempted to use a term that it
flags as "informal", I'll
at least think twice. <g>
* Completeness. Not too much general vocab here I haven't found, though
we also keep
the MS Press computer dictionary very close to hand.
* Graphics. Pictures are plentiful and well-selected.
* Organization. As an example of a practical solution to our recent
"separate indexes?"
debate, the main text incorporates biographical and geographical
entries. The appendix
has a fascinating and virtually completely impractical dictionary of
Indo-European
roots.
* Layout. Text and layout are clear.
I personally also like the extra linguistic information sprinkled here and
there. For example,
they'll have etymological tidbits every few pages.
How large is it? I don't know how many entries, but as a cheap-and-cheerful
measure, it's
about 2,080 8x11 pages.
Even though this is a very subjective analysis (and short, too), I hope it
helps.
-- Mike Pope
mikep -at- asymetrix -dot- com
----------
>From: TECHWR-L
>To: Multiple recipients of list TECHWR-L
>Subject: American Heritage Dict. question
>Date: Friday, April 08, 1994 3:36PM
>Does anybody have a copy of _The American Heritage Dictionary of the
>English Language, Third Edition_?
>I have a copy of the College version at work and would like to know if I
>can justify the expense of getting the bigger version.
>o What are the major differences between the versions, and do the
> differences substantiate the difference in price?
>o How large is the main version?
>Any kind of information you have on the main version will be appreciated.
>Email me privately if you don't want to clutter the list.
>And, please, don't try to lead me away from AHD. It's our standard. (Even
>though I've heard from this list that Webster's 2nd, I believe, is very
>good.)
>Write on,
>Dave
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
>David Lowe Technical Writer
>internet - 29215 -at- ef -dot- gc -dot- maricopa -dot- edu Transamerica Real Estate Tax
Service
> Phoenix, AZ
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
