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We had a lively discussion about this subject about six months ago, in case
you felt like searching the archives.
In using these words I am careful how they can be misconstrued... for
example, "Display" as a noun is fairly universal ("...the CRT display.")
However, "Display" as a verb can carry a nefarious connotation in some
circles - think of the proverbial dirty old man in a raincoat, and you get
my point.
The problem with "Appears" is the connotation of magic: If you put the
exclamation "Presto!" in front of the sentence, you'll see what I mean.
And, of course, there's the active/passive voice dilemma; in the prior
debate, I took the minority view that sometimes the passive voice is
clearer, as opposed to a sentence rewritten five times just so it is in
"active" voice. And, as a hardened radical centrist, I take issue with all
positions that begin with the word "Never!", as in, "Never, EVER use the
Passive Voice!" (or should that be: "Passive voice shall never be utilized?"
I'd write your sentence as: "Presto! The Device Identity screen appears!"
No... Actually, I wouldn't do that. I'd write your sentence as:
"Refer to the line of information at the top of the Device Identity screen."
Dull but workable... after all, this ain't songwriting! Have fun, and
warm wishes from New York. I got ahead of the caffeine dosage curve today,
so I apologize for rambling...
Jim.
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James G. McAward
Manager, Technical Publications
Chyron Corporation, Melville NY http://www.chyron.com
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"So many facts, so little time..."
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