Re: Pointing a browser

[Peter <pnewman1 -at- home -dot- com>]

Joanne Meehl wrote:
> 
> Robert,
> You touched a nerve on this one!
> 
> In my opinion, "point your browser" gets the Stupid Phrase of the Eon Award.
> It drives me up a wall. The phrase makes using the Internet sound like
> you're playing with a ouija board. I can't tell you how many users,
> especially beginners, have said to me "What is 'point'? I was actually
> looking for some sort of pointer. Jeesh, why don't they just say 'go to ___
> on the web' ?" As writing professionals, we are the "they" who can kill such
> empty and confusing collections of words. There. Now I feel better.
> 
> I think "open the __ page" is only slightly better. While yes, we are
> actually asking the user to open a page on the web, most users would more
> readily understand "On the Web, go to ___", or if you prefer, "On the
> Internet, go to ___."  Not elegant, but simple. I like Daniel's suggestion
> of "navigate", too, and it's more elegant.
> 
> I know it's heresy to say this, but I love being a heretic: sometimes being
> literal and specific is not as helpful as being "big picture" and simple.
> 

Are saying that the concept of clear and concise writing being superior
to elegant writing is heretical? 
Quick, count me as a heretic too! :-)
 

-- 
Peter

Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig.
You soon realize they both enjoy it.