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RE: Old thread, hopefully new spin on "allow" v. "enable."
Subject:RE: Old thread, hopefully new spin on "allow" v. "enable." From:Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- petvalu -dot- com> To:TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 7 Mar 2000 10:44:53 -0500
I feel that "allow", "enable" and "let" all imply permission to some extent. I
would re-word it this way:
The Cost Wizard option/feature/application/whatever is used to add, edit and
delete customized pricing structures.
Suzette Seveny
Markham, Ontario, Canada
sseveny -at- petvalu -dot- com or suzette -at- yesic -dot- com
------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
Any opinions expressed are MY opinions.
Feel free to have your own.
Let's agree to disagree
But Please - Don't Flame Me.
Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Hmmm, neither did I...
On Tuesday, March 07, 2000 9:57 AM, Brierley, Sean [SMTP:Sean -at- Quodata -dot- Com]
wrote:
> I use "let."
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ron Rhodes [SMTP:RRhodes -at- fourthchannel -dot- com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 9:43 AM
> > I have used the word "allow" throughout my career as a tech-writers. And
> > I
> > really don't have a problem with it even now. But I am wondering if
> > perhaps
> > "enable" is better when documenting software applications.
> >
> > EXAMPLE:
> > Not
> > The Cost Wizard <ALLOWS> you to add, edit, and delete customized pricing
> > structures.
> >
> > Instead
> > The Cost Wizard <ENABLES> you to add, edit, and delete customized pricing
> > structures.
> >
> > "Allows" just sounds too permissive, restrictive, and constraining.
> > "Enables" sounds more energizing to me. But my Webster's and my Oxford
> > rendered similar definitions for both words.
> >
>