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Subject:Re: Microsoft Style Manual/Guide From:"Peter Ring, PRC" <prc -at- ISA -dot- DKNET -dot- DK> Date:Thu, 18 Sep 1997 10:49:08 +1
Terence Kierans wrote:
> Please can someone find the time to help?
>
> Despite extensive searches on the InterNet, I am unable to locate
> neither the Microsoft Style Manual/Guide nor the STC Journal for May
> 1997.
>
> My reason for asking is that I need some documented support for
> convincing the management of where I am contracting that they need a
> style guide.
>
> Thank you in advance for your gift of your time.
The Microsoft Manual of Style is a combined dictionary and
encyclopaedia over words to be used for describing software: how
to use the words, and when/if to avoid using them (giving you the
"correct" alternative).
Examples (forgive me Microsoft for breaking your copyright a bit
- hopefully you will sell them a book, adding a bit to poor Bob's
fortune):
launch
Do not use to mean 'start', as in "launch a program" or "launch a
form". Use 'start' instead.
makefile
Technical term. One word, lowercase.
Other descriptions are longer, e.g. for "dialog box", including the
proper names of its elements, and whether to "click", "check" or
"press" each of them.
If you are documenting software it is almost indispensable, unless
you are bound to use some other software company's equivalent style
guide, e.g. Adobe's.
Peter Ring
PRC (Peter Ring Consultants)
- specialists in user friendly manuals and audits on manuals.
prc -at- isa -dot- dknet -dot- dk http://isa.dknet.dk/~prc
- the "User Friendly Manuals" website with links, bibliography, list
of prof. associations, and tips for technical writers.
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