Unfortunately, message isn't accurate in this case (MS-MOS refers to them as
"a secondary windows that is displayed to inform a user about a particular
condition. In end user documentation, use message.") They contain tables of
data from other areas of the program that users refer to when completing
forms in the application. They look a lot like other dialog boxes in this
application where users can enter information.
Regards,
Barb
-----Original Message-----
From: Bryan Sherman [mailto:bsherm -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 11:11 PM
To: Barbara Philbrick
Cc: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Read only dialog box
I believe these are typically referred to as message boxes. Look up that in
the MMOS.
On 1/18/06, Barbara Philbrick <caslon -at- alltel -dot- net> wrote:
> One of my clients doesn't want to call dialog boxes "dialog boxes" if
> the information in them is read-only. I contend that users understand
> it, understand they are read-only (if they are reading this piece of
> help text), and that I don't want to start a trend of calling things
"monolog boxes."
> (Actually, she calls these windows.)
>
> I don't see anything specific to this in Microsoft Manual of Style; is
> there a term I should be using instead of dialog?
>
> Regards,
>
> Barb
>
> Barbara J. Philbrick
> 330-995-0499
>
> Caslon Services Inc.
> Technical Writing
> Aurora, OH
>http://home.alltel.net/caslon/
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