Re: "Picklist"

["Pro TechWriter" <pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com>]

I agree with you--simpler is better.

Unfortunately, our style guide requires "picklist" for a dialog box that has
items in a column that you "move" to another column in the dialog by
clicking a button. Of course, we also have to use "check" and "uncheck" for
checkboxes. And, we can never, never, never, end a sentence with a
preposition! Argh. The convoluted sentences I must write to avoid that one.
PT
On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 3:40 AM, Michael West <mbwest -at- bigpond -dot- com> wrote:

> > Have just come across this word for the first time. I find it . . .
> > unpleasant.
> >
> > Do you use this term? Surely "listbox" or just plain "list" are the
> > usual terms. Or has this word been around and I've just missed it?
>
> Oh, it's been around -- I think of it as programmerspeak. In writing for
> users there's no need for it -- or for "listbox". A list is a list. Why
> require people to get used to a new set of terms for things that have
> nothing to do with their real work? It's better to use the terms they
> already know. Everybody knows what a list is.
>
> I might write either of the following:
>
> a) Click the down arrow next to the Name box and then choose a name from
> the
> list.
>
> b) In the Name box, choose a name from the drop-down list.
>
> I would use the first if writing for users who might be unsure of how to
> find the list. I'd use the second if I could be fairly sure that the users
> would know how to find the list; for example, if this was an instruction
> for
> a form that included numerous drop-downs. It's reasonable to assume that
> after you've told them once or twice how to display the list, you needn't
> keep on doing it with monotonous regularity.
>
> --
> Mike West
>
>
>
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