Re: Have ye the will to use it, then?

[Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- PETVALU -dot- COM>]

The point I tried to make was to write in the second person and to try and
reword the sentence to avoid the use of pronouns.  I don't actually use the
word "will" in my manuals. I did not do a grammar check of my post before
sending - neither do I check grammar in other people's posts.

On Wednesday, April 28, 1999 11:40 AM, Kevin McLauchlan
[SMTP:KMcLauchlan -at- chrysalis-its -dot- com] wrote:
>
> I can't remember the last time I used "will" in a user doc.
> Why mix tenses?
> Do this. This happens.
> If you do this, this happens.
> If that happens, do this.
> The options are....
> The reasons for picking one over the other are... this does
> this, and that does that.
>
> Do most of you refer to events in the future when writing
> for users?  Why?  Why not?

The above already stated, let me add that there are occasions when future tense
in user manuals is warranted.  If a current action will necessitate another
activity later on, I MAY mention that fact during the instructions for the c
urrent activity.

Example:  In a Term Deposit system, the user selects the renewal options (if
any) at the time the deposit is added to the system.  If the user selects a
guaranteed rate for renewal, the user will need to enter that rate on the next
screen that appears.  Sometimes users are confused about where the rate is
entered, so I may mention that fact at the time they select the option.

Feel free to grammar and/or spell check this mailnote, if you have nothing
better to do with your time.  I, on the other hand, have real work to do.  I'm
surprised I even answered this - it's the third one I received.

Have a nice day.

Suzette


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