Re: "via" - why often verboten ?

[Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>]

âViaâ is not often used in everyday speech and it sounds lofty. User 
documentation should use language used by its users. If the audience of 
your documentation uses âviaâ as an everyday word, then use it.

In one case, the word via is used to show how to get from one place to 
another, like saying, âyou get to I-5 via I-80 and not Business 80.â If 
your audience would give that direction, then use it. If your audience 
is more likely to say something to the effect of, âyou get to I-5 from 
I-80 and not Business 80â or âtake I-80 to get to I-5 because Business 
80 will send you through town and chaos,â then do not use âvia.â

âViaâ has the tendency of requiring more words to make a point or of 
winding the directions through a maze of discussion when a straight to 
the point direction would suffice. Like, âAccess the help menu via the 
help link on the screen,â rather than, âClick the help link on the 
screen to access the help menu.â


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