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: Microsoft Style Guide From:Dianne Martin <MartinD -at- TRAVIS -dot- TYC -dot- STATE -dot- TX -dot- US> Date:Wed, 6 Nov 1996 11:41:00 PST
Wayne,
You are very right. I use the MS Manual of Style as a glossary. That is
all it is. It lists terms and topics in alpha order so when I have a
question on using commas, I look up Commas, and so forth. The AP Stylebook
is the same way.
Meanwhile, besides e-mail lists, conferences, workshops, college and general
experience to keep my writing up to par, I _read_ books on documenting
techniques, learning processes, object oriented processes, and page design
(cyber and paper) for concepts and content.
From your recommendation, I will be out at B&N or Bookstop this week to look
up the SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL WRITING: A MANUAL OF STYLE, Philip Rubens,
General Editor (Henry Holt, 1992). Looks like a good reference.
Thanks for the tip.
Dianne
----------
From: TECHWR-L
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Microsoft Style Guide
Date: Wednesday, November 06, 1996 9:14AM
At 10:10 AM 11/6/96 PST, Dianne Martin wrote:
>TechWr-L'ers,
>I have to admit to purchasing the MS Style Guide. I use it the same way
>that I use other style guides, not as the only style book, but in addition
>to others (including the AP Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style) MS's
>is the one that, currently, best defines/describes computer terms. I write
>software documentation and with the speed at which things change, I need a
>reference for standardizing my references to things such as dialogs, drop
>downs, etc.
It sounds to me that you use the style guide only for the glossary.
When it comes to a style guide that covers the full range of technical
writing issues, I always recommend SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL WRITING: A MANUAL
OF STYLE, Philip Rubens, General Editor (Henry Holt, 1992). Topics include
the usual language, spelling, punctuation, etc. recommendations as well as
broader questions like addressing non-native speakers of English (the best
summary I've seen anywhere). Each chapter is written by an expert in the
topic (for example, William Horton on effective tables, charts and
diagrams).
--Wayne Douglass
===================================================
Verity, Inc. Email: wayned -at- verity -dot- com
894 Ross Drive Telephone: 408-542-2139
Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Facsimile: 408-542-2040
===================================================
