RE: software control terms

["Combs, Richard" <richard -dot- combs -at- Polycom -dot- com>]

Christine Leisgen
 
> I now realized that at least now, Microsoft uses a more "wordy"
> explanation of software terms, e. g. "activate the check-box 
> for options x". I see that there is the advantage that it is 
> clearer for the user where to look for the option (it is a 
> check box, not a drop-down list).

Where did you see "activate the check-box"? MMOS has always said that
you _select_ and _clear_ check boxes (no hyphen). And here's what my
copy says about identifying interface elements: 

"Except for the identifiers box, list, check box, and tab, the generic
name of an item within a dialog box (button, option, and so on) should
not follow the item's label, especially within procedures. Check box in
particular helps localizers differentiate this item from other option
boxes."

So, they've always recommended "Click x" for buttons, but "select the x
check box."

If you found "activate the check-box for options x" occurred anywhere in
Microsoft documentation, I'd be very surprised and assume something went
out the door without proper proofing. 

As for "it is clearer for the user where to look for the option (it is a
check box, not a drop-down list)," I don't understand your point. A list
isn't an option. And the MMOS says not to use "drop-down" either. 

Richard


------
Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
------




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