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Re: Iambic pentameter (was Use v. utilize; was Re: Simple ge Question)
Subject:Re: Iambic pentameter (was Use v. utilize; was Re: Simple ge Question) From:"Brierley, Sean" <Brierley -at- QUODATA -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 27 Aug 1999 10:09:40 -0400
Hmmm.
I can't say I recommend this. Iambic pentameter, sure, if it doesn't
interfere with the readability . . . but methinks it would. As for jokes,
even ones that are not mildly offensive reduce the credibility of your book.
Of course, hypertext Easter eggs in the PDF and online help . . . that's a
different story.
Sean
sean -at- quodata -dot- com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jim Cort [SMTP:jcort -at- TOTALTEL -dot- COM]
> Sent: Friday, August 27, 1999 9:56 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: Iambic pentameter (was Use v. utilize; was Re: Simple
> Verbia ge Question)
>
> I highly recommend the insertion of little "Easter eggs" into one's
> manuals.
> I once worked at an apparel manufacturer for six years as the sole tech
> writer. In every manual I ever did for them I put a joke of some kind.
> This is a bit of an exaggeration, but sometimes this practice made the
> difference between jumping out the window and not jumping out the window.
> It tended to help me keep perspective.
>
> Most of the time, it was a silly name or two, or silly action buttons on
> generic screen examples.
>
