Re: Technical Writing Books

[Buck & Tilly Buchanan <writer -at- DHC -dot- NET>]

Alexia Prendergast wrote:
>
> In my opinion:
>
> If you *have* to use "click", use "click", not "click on".
>
> *However*...
>
> "Click" is a pet peeve of mine. You do not "click" a
> button. You click a *mouse* button to *select* a GUI
> button.

It's a great opinion.  But...

With standards changing so rapidly in Tech Pubs' attempts to keep up
with technology, we simply can't use our *opinions* as a style guide.  I
don't always agree with Microsoft, nor with Chicago Manual of Style, nor
with AP Styleguide, however, when I go into a contract I get a
committment from management that they will stand behind me and *whatever
style guide* we decide on.

Then I adhere to it religiously.  They know, or I will tell them what to
expect and we simply let the styleguide publisher decide what's right or
wrong.

I've left some jobs over this kind of issue because I want to preserve
my reputation as one of the best TWs in the DFW area.  They may not like
my attitude (and many don't), but they respect my ability to provide a
document that meets *THE* standards!

Regards


Buck Buchanan
writer -at- dhc -dot- net
Arlington, TX

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