TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Standard features and those you buy From:Charlotte Branth Claussen <charlotteclaussen -at- gmail -dot- com> To:TechWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 6 Jun 2014 16:41:55 +0100
Hi all of you,
Thank you very much for all the suggestions.
We have chosen to stick to optional, as this term is used in other
materials.
Personally, I would prefer something in the lines of "add-on" to clarify
that a feature might not be enabled and that the necessary hardware might
not be available.
Again, thanks to all of you for input; I will put it to good use at a later
time!
/Charlotte
2014-06-05 17:10 GMT+01:00 Tony Chung <tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca>:
> Hey Charlotte,
>
> I second Richard's suggestion to coordinate with Marketing. You could also
> help them to understand the implications of "optional" meaning the customer
> doesn't have to use it, and "premium", or "paid add-on", meaning features
> that would make the customer's life easier if only they used them.
>
> -Tony
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 6:00 AM, Charlotte Branth Claussen <
> charlotteclaussen -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>
>> We are rewriting a manual that mentions standard and optional features.
>> I do not like the word optional, as it could be misinterpreted as being
>> available but not mandatory to use.
>>
>> What are good terms for:
>> "optional" accessories that the customer needs to buy in order to get
>> them?
>> "optional" features that are enabled via software updates that the
>> customer
>> needs to buy in order to get them?
>>
>> A whole range of "optional" features can be purchased separately.
>>
>> Any input is greatly appreciated,
>>
>> Charlotte
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Doc-To-Help 2014 v1 now available. SharePoint 2013 support, NetHelp enhancements, and more. Read all about it.