WG: Newbie question - GUI terminology

[Beth Agnew]

The dislike for "appear" is the same as for "invoke", or any other term 
which implies some magical action on the part of the computer user or 
the computer. In the early days of personal computers, writers wanted to 
help users realize that the computer was just a machine, like a car, 
that anyone could learn how to operate. There was no "silly wand waving 
or foolish incantation", spell, or magical technique that would get it 
to work. Using magical language subtly contributed to the impression 
that there was arcane knowledge about computers that one needed to 
obtain. At the time, it seemed to take supplication to an adept in the 
programming priesthood to get it.

Hence we have wizards to help with some user tasks, but we don't like 
them. :-)

James Barrow wrote:
> When I first began tech writing, a senior tech writer edited some of my
> material and, wherever I used "appear", he crossed that out and added
> "NEVER!".  I still don't understand what the major faux pas was on that one.
-- 
Beth Agnew
Catch the Buzz: http://bethbuzz.blogspot.com
STC Presentation archived at:
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Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416.491.5050 x3133
http://www.tinyurl.com/83u5u