RE: Re: Simply

[Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- westnet -dot- com -dot- au>]

Dan said:
 > ... "You must" is often used in technical writing to draw
 > the reader's attention to a step or sequence that's crucial,
 > mandatory, or easily missed...

True. I think Yves was making the point that if you omit "You must" in 
the many cases where it's not needed, it has more effect in the few 
cases where it is needed.

Dan also said:
 > I forgot to mention: The repeated use of "You must" in technical
 > writing often indicates poor software or hardware design.

Yes. Computers are good at doing rote stuff! We should get them to do 
the mandatory tasks, and leave the tasks that require human judgement to 
people.

Stuart
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.