Can software have human attributes?

Subject: Can software have human attributes?
From: "Diane Backus" <DBackus -at- DocByDesign -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 12:43:43 -0400

Fellow whirlers:
A corporate style guide reads:
"Avoid attributing human actions to inanimate objects, particularly
software. Example: Instead of 'The program sits and waits for the next
active result in the queue', write 'The program polls the queue for the next
active result.'"

Several developers have disagreed with this since the style guide was
published. What is the general acceptance level for attributing human
actions to software? If anyone can cite a source (Microsoft style, perhaps),
that would be helpful.
Thanks,
Diane


Diane Backus
Documentation By Design


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