RE: LONG - A colloquial writing style?

Subject: RE: LONG - A colloquial writing style?
From: "Downing, David" <DavidDowning -at- Users -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 10:40:10 -0400



Yes I too have mixed feelings about the Dummies books. On the one hand,
the overly cute style does interfere with the conveying of information,
but on the other hand, they do achieve the goal of not being
intimidating.

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Malin [mailto:jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 12:52 PM
Subject: RE: LONG - A colloquial writing style?


It all comes down to audience and information. I *hate* the cutesy
titles in Dummies books, because it interferes with my ability to get
information. I have to read the subtitles to figure out what they're
really talking about!

On the other hand, you should read the documentation for Mad Magazine's
Collected Issues CDs. The installation instructions, etc are the typical
sarcastic stuff from Mad. It's hilarious!

I remember that, when I worked in localization for HP, we were
criticized by the Europeans for having printer manuals that were too
colloquial. So clearly, different cultures have different demands.

I imagine that technical experts would respond very favorably to
documentation "easter eggs". Put something innocuous but funny in a
hidden part of your documentation, maybe in some obscure reference
topic.

joe

-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-216553 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-216553 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of John
Posada
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 7:58 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: LONG - A colloquial writing style?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Attention:
The information contained in this message and or attachments is intended
only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain
confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient
is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and
delete the material from any system and destroy any copies.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
This email message has been scanned for Viruses and Content and cleared
by NetIQ MailMarshal
_____________________________________________________________________________________

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

New from Quadralay Corporation: WebWorks ePublisher Pro!
Completely XML-based online publishing. Easily create 14 online formats, including 6 Help systems, in a streamlined project-based workflow. Word version ships in June, FrameMaker version ships in July. Sign up for a live, online demo! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.



Previous by Author: RE: watch your language! (or don't)
Next by Author: Friday humor
Previous by Thread: Re: LONG - A colloquial writing style?
Next by Thread: Re: LONG - A colloquial writing style?


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads