Re: and/or?

["Raj Machhan" <raj -dot- machhan -at- gmail -dot- com>]

On 6/25/07, Al Geist <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com> wrote:
>
> By golly, Mark is right. I found "and/or" down the list from "and."
> However,
> I still won't use it because I personally think it's a symptom of bad
> writing. If I were editing your output, I'd cross it out.
>
> As for the reference by Ned that it is a Boolean expression...so what. If
> I
> were documenting Boolean, I'd probably use it, but I don't document
> Boolean.
> I also use English as my first language knowing that a good portion of my
> readers use another language as their "first language."
>
> You can use whatever style you wish as long as you are sure your readers
> are
> not left in the dark over the meaning of your words.
>
> Al Geist
> Technical Writing, Help, Marketing Collateral, Web Design and Award
> Winning
> Videos
> Voice/Msg: 802-658-3140
> Cell: 802-578-3964
> E-mail: mailto:al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com
> URL: http://www.geistassociates.com (Online portfolio and resume)
> See also:
> URL: http://www.geistimages.com (Fine art photographic prints for home or
> office and beautiful note cards for all occasions.)




I agree with Al's point and I think we a digressing a bit from the
> fundamental issue here. Agreed, "and/or" denotes a Boolean expression. But I
> will avoid using it even if I am documenting Boolean logic. I document
> software products and solutions and if Boolean expressions forms a part of a
> document, my audience expects me to simplify it. Of course, I will use it,
> if I am writing only for the users adept at Boolean algebra (But then I may
> rather go with the 'sybolic logical notation' because such an audience will
> understand that better than "and/or".)


   The term, indeed, has been defined in a few dictionaries. But then again,
as Al puts it, it does not mean anything as far as its usage is
concerned. I may have missed a few, but so far I am still to find a style
guide that recommends the usage of "and/or". It would be a great value
addition to this thread if anybody could come up with a style guide
that favors that use of "and/or".





>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.