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.
RE: Old thread, hopefully new spin on "allow" v. "enable."
Subject:RE: Old thread, hopefully new spin on "allow" v. "enable." From:Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- petvalu -dot- com> To:TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 7 Mar 2000 10:44:53 -0500
I feel that "allow", "enable" and "let" all imply permission to some extent. I
would re-word it this way:
The Cost Wizard option/feature/application/whatever is used to add, edit and
delete customized pricing structures.
Suzette Seveny
Markham, Ontario, Canada
sseveny -at- petvalu -dot- com or suzette -at- yesic -dot- com
------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
Any opinions expressed are MY opinions.
Feel free to have your own.
Let's agree to disagree
But Please - Don't Flame Me.
Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Hmmm, neither did I...
On Tuesday, March 07, 2000 9:57 AM, Brierley, Sean [SMTP:Sean -at- Quodata -dot- Com]
wrote:
> I use "let."
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ron Rhodes [SMTP:RRhodes -at- fourthchannel -dot- com]
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2000 9:43 AM
> > I have used the word "allow" throughout my career as a tech-writers. And
> > I
> > really don't have a problem with it even now. But I am wondering if
> > perhaps
> > "enable" is better when documenting software applications.
> >
> > EXAMPLE:
> > Not
> > The Cost Wizard <ALLOWS> you to add, edit, and delete customized pricing
> > structures.
> >
> > Instead
> > The Cost Wizard <ENABLES> you to add, edit, and delete customized pricing
> > structures.
> >
> > "Allows" just sounds too permissive, restrictive, and constraining.
> > "Enables" sounds more energizing to me. But my Webster's and my Oxford
> > rendered similar definitions for both words.
> >
>
