RE: E&O insurance question from Becky

Subject: RE: E&O insurance question from Becky
From: "Melanie Blank" <gmel999 -at- bluefrog -dot- com>
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:29:08 -0400

This is an issue that I have, also. I have only done small, occasional
freelance jobs in the past, but I may have the opportunity of a full-time,
long-term freelance project. I've usually been a direct-hire employee or
contractor (W-2).

What kind of insurance does a freelancer in our business really need? Aren't
we somewhat, or more than somewhat, protected from liability from errors and
omissions by virtue of the fact that the client reviews and approves
everything that we write or edit??

Thanks for any input, and have a nice weekend, everyone.

Regards,
Mel

(Melanie)

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+gmel999=bluefrog -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
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Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 2:00 AM
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---


Today's Topics:

1. How do you manage changes to names (Daniel Ng)
2. RE: How do you manage changes to names (Zagorac, Mladen)
3. Re: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots (Lech Rzedzicki)
4. Re: How do you manage changes to names (John Posada)
5. Re: How do you manage changes to names (Peter Neilson)
6. RE: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots (McLauchlan, Kevin)
7. RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names (kelly keck)
8. Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (John Posada)
9. RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
(Dan Goldstein)
10. RE: How do you manage changes to names (McLauchlan, Kevin)
11. RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
(Dan Goldstein)
12. RE: How do you manage changes to names (Jessica Weissman)
13. RE: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots (McLauchlan, Kevin)
14. Re: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
(Lech Rzedzicki)
15. RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
(Dan Goldstein)
16. RE: Replacing "master" and "slave" terminology
(richard -dot- melanson -at- us -dot- tel -dot- com)
17. Re: History of structured authoring tools (Lech Rzedzicki)
18. Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Mike Starr)
19. Re: master & slave ad nauseam (let's stop, shall we?)
(Karen Mulholland)
20. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Bonnie Granat)
21. Saving email to Access database? (Nancy Allison)
22. Re: Saving email to Access database? (Bill Swallow)
23. RE: Saving email to Access database? (Dan Goldstein)
24. RE: Saving email to Access database? (Dan Goldstein)
25. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Lauren)
26. Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (John Posada)
27. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Lauren)
28. Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (John Posada)
29. Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Bill Swallow)
30. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Al Geist)
31. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Al Geist)
32. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Combs, Richard)
33. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Al Geist)
34. Re: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots (ASTeC)
35. there is vs. there's (Zen C)
36. RE: there is vs. there's (Leonard C. Porrello)
37. Re: there is vs. there's (John Posada)
38. RE: there is vs. there's (Chris Vickery)
39. Re: there is vs. there's (John Posada)
40. Re: there is vs. there's (Zen C)
41. RE: there is vs. there's (Lauren)
42. Re: there is vs. there's (Janice Gelb)
43. RE: there is vs. there's (Chris Vickery)
44. RE: there is vs. there's (Leonard C. Porrello)
45. Re: there is vs. there's (Milan Davidovic)
46. RE: there is vs. there's (Fred Ridder)
47. If I Did It PDF question (Lauren)
48. Estimating a project rate? (Chris Morton)
49. Re: Estimating a project rate? (Collin Turner)
50. RE: If I Did It PDF question (technical writing plus)
51. RE: there is vs. there's (Bonnie Granat)
52. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Bonnie Granat)
53. RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003) (Bonnie Granat)
54. Re: there is vs. there's (Milan Davidovic)
55. Re: Estimating a project rate? (Barbara Donohue)
56. Re: there is vs. there's (Kathleen MacDowell)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:34:55 +0800
From: "Daniel Ng" <kjng -at- gprotechnologies -dot- com>
Subject: How do you manage changes to names
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <002b01c89f9c$bfad4f60$7502a8c0 -at- gprotechnologies -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(r) Pro*
When product names change, it affects various things from marketing
collateral, user guides source, guide, help systems, file names, setup
routines, labels, procedures, screenshots.

What do you do to make it go down a lot smoother?

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+kjng=gprotechnologies -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kjng=gprotechnologies -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of techwr-l-request -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:00 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: TECHWR-L Digest, Vol 30, Issue 16

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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:56:32 -0400
From: "Zagorac, Mladen" <Mladen -dot- Zagorac -at- lionbridge -dot- com>
Subject: RE: How do you manage changes to names
To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:

<8F9405062C4A3C46ADA1CAEBE03C4C1804C170CB49 -at- BIL-EXC7 -dot- corpnet -dot- liox -dot- org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

How do you make product change smoother? Depending on the age of the product
and amount of written and graphic material containing the product name.

I've worked as a technical writer in a company where the management for some
reason decided we needed a new name. What did the documentation department
do? We search-replaced all the old name instances with new ones. But then
again, that was in 2000 and almost all was in manually written HTML.
Screenshots were taken anew, graphics manually changed, etc. All in all it
took us a while (can't remember exactly how long) and then again half a year
down the road we still found some tiny image somewhere where the old name
was still lingering.

I have no idea how the marketing department handled the transition.

What would I have suggested if I were to find myself in a similar situation
these days? Probably same old search-replace as product names don't change
often and obsolete documents don't need to be touched. But in the more
efficient world of XML, I'd give the product name a special treatment. Just
in case it happens again.

Mladen
________________________________
Mladen Zagorac
Technical writer
________________________________________
From: techwr-l-bounces+mladen -dot- zagorac=lionbridge -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[techwr-l-bounces+mladen -dot- zagorac=lionbridge -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Daniel Ng [kjng -at- gprotechnologies -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:34 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: How do you manage changes to names

*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(r) Pro*
When product names change, it affects various things from marketing
collateral, user guides source, guide, help systems, file names, setup
routines, labels, procedures, screenshots.

What do you do to make it go down a lot smoother?

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+kjng=gprotechnologies -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kjng=gprotechnologies -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of techwr-l-request -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:00 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: TECHWR-L Digest, Vol 30, Issue 16

Send TECHWR-L mailing list submissions to
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------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:10:11 +0100
From: "Lech Rzedzicki" <xchaotic -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots
To: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<7d863f140804160310y34c3e25cv81fc5d4318a17aaa -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

This will work and have worked for me.

http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0456.html see the table - for x4
card you can use x4 x8 or x16 ports as long as the mechanical retention
holds it in place.

Lech

On Tue, Apr 15, 2008 at 8:35 PM, McLauchlan, Kevin
<Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com> wrote:
> Hey, group,
>
> I've Googled and I'm still not sure...
>
> Our company makes a board that has a PCI-e x4 connection.
>
> There are occasions when a person might use two of those cards in one
> machine.
>
> I'll need to try that configuration and document any peculiarities.
>
> My old test box doesn't even _have_ PCI-e. I'm looking to order a
> new computer.
>
> Most PCs that I see (and we're limited to ordering DELL...) have just
> one ordinary PCI-e slot - usually PCI-e x4 or PCI-e x8 wired as x4 -
> along with a couple of PCI-e x16 graphics slots.
>
>
>
> Does anybody know of any reason why the second PCI-e card should not
> be perfectly happy stuffed into an unused PCI-e x16 graphics slot?
>
> Is anyone aware of anything - other than the additional 8 or 12 lanes
> - that's different about the graphics slots?
>
> I mean do they explicitly say "graphics" slot because they just want
> you to know you can put graphics cards in there, or because you
> _must_ put graphics cards and nothing else in there??
>
>
>
> I ask this because at one point, our hardware guys were told that
> some PC manufacturers or MB suppliers would not support anything
> other than a graphics card in the slots designated for graphics. They
> didn't say it wouldn't work, just that they "won't support". (That's
equivalent to
> "no comment". :-)
>
>
>
> If I get the purchase approved, it'll be the last time for a while,
> so I'd better not mess up by making unwarranted assumptions.
>
>
>
> Any hardware gurus want to comment? Anybody found just the exact
> comparison on a reliable site?
>
>
>
>
>
> Kevin (lusting after some new iron)
>
>
> The information contained in this electronic mail transmission may
> be privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected from
> disclosure. If you have received this communication in error, please
> notify us immediately by replying to this message and deleting it
> from your computer without copying or disclosing it.
>
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> 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
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
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>


------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:54:34 -0400
From: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: How do you manage changes to names
To: "Daniel Ng" <kjng -at- gprotechnologies -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<b3a91dc50804160354y2df0c1a7tcd20b44eb8708a5e -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I author in FrameMaker and RoboHelp. In both products, we only place product
names (as well as document names for instances where you refer to a
document, such as User Guide, from another deocument) as variables. If
anything changes, redefine the variable and done.

Our department has a catalog of over 400 product and document name variables
and we manage them using the BookVars and EZVars plugins.


On 4/16/08, Daniel Ng <kjng -at- gprotechnologies -dot- com> wrote:
>
> When product names change, it affects various things from marketing
> collateral, user guides source, guide, help systems, file names, setup
> routines, labels, procedures, screenshots.
>
> What do you do to make it go down a lot smoother?
>
>
--
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
NYMetro STC President and Program Chair

- Said the Zen master to the hot dog v endor "Make me one with everything."


------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:50:11 -0400
From: Peter Neilson <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>
Subject: Re: How do you manage changes to names
To: Daniel Ng <kjng -at- gprotechnologies -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <4805E7F3 -dot- 5060403 -at- windstream -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

In a larger company, where there is an actual technical communications
department, it is the responsibility of the tech writing manager to stay
on top of product development so that his team does not get blind-sided
and saddled with sudden requests.

If there is but one tech writer, then someone in management is
responsible for ensuring that documentation exists. That manager is the
one who brings in additional tech writers one month before FCS to write
the documents, and should be capable of dealing with tech writing as an
"afterthought" because that's what he does already. It's not the tech
writer's responsibility.

If the tech writer is told "do it anyway" there ought to be at least
room for bargaining for time-and-a-half on the overtime required.

Daniel Ng wrote:
> When product names change, it affects various things from marketing
> collateral, user guides source, guide, help systems, file names, setup
> routines, labels, procedures, screenshots.
>
> What do you do to make it go down a lot smoother?



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:14:19 -0400
From: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>
Subject: RE: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots
To: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>,
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<979DB57738E1C2439A15E6B67CE1B6C0FE0F63 -at- bel1exch002 -dot- sfnt -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Other than a really pretty line of carats "^^^^^^" from ASTeC, nobody
responded. :-)

Does anybody know if there's anything special about PCI-e slots that are
designated "graphics" (or "gen2 graphics")? Googling has not yet revealed if
they have special additions or restrictions to make them function
differently than a "standard" PCI-e x16 slot should.

> -----Original Message-----
> From:
techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-
> l.com] On Behalf Of McLauchlan, Kevin
> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 15:36
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots
>
> Hey, group,
>
> I've Googled and I'm still not sure...
>
> Our company makes a board that has a PCI-e x4 connection.
>
> There are occasions when a person might use two of those cards in one
> machine.
>
> I'll need to try that configuration and document any peculiarities.
>
> My old test box doesn't even _have_ PCI-e. I'm looking to order a new
> computer.
>
> Most PCs that I see (and we're limited to ordering DELL...) have just
> one ordinary PCI-e slot - usually PCI-e x4 or PCI-e x8 wired as x4 -
> along with a couple of PCI-e x16 graphics slots.
>
>
>
> Does anybody know of any reason why the second PCI-e card should not
be
> perfectly happy stuffed into an unused PCI-e x16 graphics slot?
>
> Is anyone aware of anything - other than the additional 8 or 12 lanes
-
> that's different about the graphics slots?
>
> I mean do they explicitly say "graphics" slot because they just want
you
> to know you can put graphics cards in there, or because you _must_ put
> graphics cards and nothing else in there??
>
>
>
> I ask this because at one point, our hardware guys were told that some
> PC manufacturers or MB suppliers would not support anything other than
a
> graphics card in the slots designated for graphics. They didn't say it
> wouldn't work, just that they "won't support". (That's equivalent to
> "no comment". :-)
>
>
>
> If I get the purchase approved, it'll be the last time for a while, so
> I'd better not mess up by making unwarranted assumptions.
>
>
>
> Any hardware gurus want to comment? Anybody found just the exact
> comparison on a reliable site?
>
>
>
>
>
> Kevin (lusting after some new iron)
>
>
> The information contained in this electronic mail transmission may be
> privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected from disclosure.
> If you have received this communication in error, please notify us
> immediately by replying to this message and deleting it from your
> computer without copying or disclosing it.
>
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> 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
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as kevin -dot- mclauchlan -at- safenet-
> inc.com.
>
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The information contained in this electronic mail transmission
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------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:28:42 -0500
From: "kelly keck" <kelly -dot- keck -at- imagine-one -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:

<18EEB48B693F23448281FC3A7B87AE620186A685 -at- 34093-EVS3C1 -dot- exchange -dot- rackspace -dot- co
m>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Jessica suggested:

>Use a document property for the date and another for the version
number,
>and show the doc properties in fields on the title page or inside title
>or another suitable location. Then you can use the version control
>system without messing around and updating files.

>You do have to remember to update the fields before you print, but
>that's life.

Perfect. Especially since I use enough fields that I have Word set to
update them all any time it prints. I've noticed that that feature doesn't
seem to work if anything in the field has been flagged by the grammar or
spelling checker, but, like you said, that's life. (Fortunately, neither a
date nor a version number is likely to annoy Word's spell check.)

Thanks to everyone who responded with suggestions. I had an inclination
that the version numbers and dates were overkill (a relic from the project
where those *were* our version control), but confirmation, as well as
suggestions of alternate places to put that information, is a nice thing.

Kelly





------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:35:25 -0400
From: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
Cc: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<b3a91dc50804160535i1c20c68u7de6854c9566529b -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I think I should be insulted by this response, but you going through life
without a sense of humor must be hard enough for you.

On 4/15/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
>
> > From: John Posada
>
> > On 4/14/08, SB <sylvia -dot- braunstein -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Is there a tool out there that allows you to clean up MS Word?
> >
> > Format c: ?
>
> Some days, this list is helpful, then there are days like these. For
> some reason, when I was reading and responding to this thread, I
> flashed on a memory of advice from a person on one list who said to
> delete all files with the extension .dll. Dipwad237, is that you?
>
> :)
>
> Lauren
>
>


--
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
NYMetro STC President

- Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with everything."


------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:45:12 -0400
From: "Dan Goldstein" <DGoldstein -at- riverainmedical -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<0ADA9A22B5BC2147B360A22FD2BAD25C010F56E4 -at- RMGBEX01 -dot- rmg -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jessica Weissman
> Sent: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:06:28 -0400
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
>
> ... You do have to remember to update the fields before
> you print...
>

Not in Word, you don't:

1. Tools => Options
2. Print tab
3. Select the Update Fields check box.

- Dan Goldstein

































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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:43:07 -0400
From: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>
Subject: RE: How do you manage changes to names
To: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>, "Daniel Ng"
<kjng -at- gprotechnologies -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<979DB57738E1C2439A15E6B67CE1B6C0FE0F86 -at- bel1exch002 -dot- sfnt -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Ensure that the search-and-replace offers you a way to search and
replace all occurrences of "...a <prod-name-variable>" versus all
occurrences of "...an <prod-name-variable>". Because you know that
Murphy will ensure that if the old product name began with a consonant
sound, the new one will begin with a vowel sound (or vice versa).

Or acquire and learn GREP and AWK.
Or, ensure that you never use indefinite articles in front of product
names.

Kevin


> -----Original Message-----
>On Behalf Of John Posada
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 06:55
> To: Daniel Ng
> I author in FrameMaker and RoboHelp. In both products, we only place
> product
> names (as well as document names for instances where you refer to a
> document, such as User Guide, from another deocument) as variables. If
> anything changes, redefine the variable and done.
>
> Our department has a catalog of over 400 product and document name
> variables
> and we manage them using the BookVars and EZVars plugins.
>
>
> On 4/16/08, Daniel Ng <kjng -at- gprotechnologies -dot- com> wrote:
> >
> > When product names change, it affects various things from marketing
> > collateral, user guides source, guide, help systems, file names,
setup
> > routines, labels, procedures, screenshots.
> >
> > What do you do to make it go down a lot smoother?

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Message: 11
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:55:58 -0400
From: "Dan Goldstein" <DGoldstein -at- riverainmedical -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<0ADA9A22B5BC2147B360A22FD2BAD25C010F56E8 -at- RMGBEX01 -dot- rmg -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Jessica,

Beth Melton reported that the October 16, 2002 security patch to Word
97/2000/2002 "changes the behavior of the Update Fields option located
under Tools/Options/Print."

Which version of Word are you running?

Thanks,

Dan

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jessica Weissman
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:47 AM
> To: Dan Goldstein
> Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
>
> Which for some reason doesn't work reliably for me. I do
> have it checked.
>
> - Jessica
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dan Goldstein
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:45 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jessica Weissman
> > Sent: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:06:28 -0400
> > To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
> >
> > ... You do have to remember to update the fields before you print...
> >
>
> Not in Word, you don't:
>
> 1. Tools => Options
> 2. Print tab
> 3. Select the Update Fields check box.
>
> - Dan Goldstein
>


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Message: 12
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:56:39 -0400
From: "Jessica Weissman" <Jessica -dot- Weissman -at- hillcrestlabs -dot- com>
Subject: RE: How do you manage changes to names
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<36E4692623C5974BA6661C0B18EE8EDFDD21C2 -at- MAILSERV -dot- hcrest -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Kevin:

You've put your finger on one of the reasons I lean toward "your
{prodnamevar}" and "the {prodnamevar}". Since I'm writing for a
prototype consumer electronics product "your" works okay.

Or you could get all fancy and have two vars, one called something like
indefArticleProdname that could be changed from "a BlenderGnome(tm)" to
"an eBlenderGnome(tm)" and one called justProdName that would be
"BlenderGnome(tm)" and later "eBlenderGnome(tm)".

- Jessica

-----Original Message-----
From:
techwr-l-bounces+jessica -dot- weissman=hillcrestlabs -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jessica -dot- weissman=hillcrestlabs -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr
-l.com] On Behalf Of McLauchlan, Kevin
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:43 AM
To: John Posada; Daniel Ng; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: How do you manage changes to names

Ensure that the search-and-replace offers you a way to search and
replace all occurrences of "...a <prod-name-variable>" versus all
occurrences of "...an <prod-name-variable>". Because you know that
Murphy will ensure that if the old product name began with a consonant
sound, the new one will begin with a vowel sound (or vice versa).

Or acquire and learn GREP and AWK.
Or, ensure that you never use indefinite articles in front of product
names.

Kevin





------------------------------

Message: 13
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:04:37 -0400
From: "McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>
Subject: RE: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots
To: "Lech Rzedzicki" <xchaotic -at- gmail -dot- com>,
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<979DB57738E1C2439A15E6B67CE1B6C0FE0FBB -at- bel1exch002 -dot- sfnt -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Whoops! Apologies to Lech. His response was quarantined at my end. So
somebody DID respond.

As for that link, it's a little old and doesn't mention my minor
concern:
PCI-e x16 connectors are often/usually additionally qualified as
"graphics" or "gen2 graphics" connectors.
So, my question was whether there was something special about the
connectors that have that qualifier in the blurb, or whether it's just a
way to say - "we made sure that there was at least one PCI-e x16 slot so
you'd have a place to put your video card"?

I've e-mailed requests to a couple of board vendors, but I have to
choose my future test platform today, or I won't likely get it in time
for the coming project. Maybe one of the vendors will reply today...
Is there an emoticon for "got my fingers crossed"?

Kevin

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lech Rzedzicki [mailto:xchaotic -at- gmail -dot- com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 06:10
> To: McLauchlan, Kevin
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots
>
> This will work and have worked for me.
>
> http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0456.html see the table -
> for x4 card you can use x4 x8 or x16 ports as long as the mechanical
> retention holds it in place.
>
> Lech
>
> On Tue, Apr 15, 2008 at 8:35 PM, McLauchlan, Kevin
> <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com> wrote:
> > Hey, group,
> >
> > I've Googled and I'm still not sure...
> >
> > Our company makes a board that has a PCI-e x4 connection.
> >
> > There are occasions when a person might use two of those cards in
one
> > machine.
> >
> > I'll need to try that configuration and document any peculiarities.
> >
> > My old test box doesn't even _have_ PCI-e. I'm looking to order a
new
> > computer.
> >
> > Most PCs that I see (and we're limited to ordering DELL...) have
just
> > one ordinary PCI-e slot - usually PCI-e x4 or PCI-e x8 wired as x4
-
> > along with a couple of PCI-e x16 graphics slots.
> >
> >
> >
> > Does anybody know of any reason why the second PCI-e card should
not be
> > perfectly happy stuffed into an unused PCI-e x16 graphics slot?
> >
> > Is anyone aware of anything - other than the additional 8 or 12
lanes -
> > that's different about the graphics slots?
> >
> > I mean do they explicitly say "graphics" slot because they just
want
> you
> > to know you can put graphics cards in there, or because you _must_
put
> > graphics cards and nothing else in there??
> >
> >
> >
> > I ask this because at one point, our hardware guys were told that
some
> > PC manufacturers or MB suppliers would not support anything other
than
> a
> > graphics card in the slots designated for graphics. They didn't say
it
> > wouldn't work, just that they "won't support". (That's equivalent
to
> > "no comment". :-)
> >
> >
> >
> > If I get the purchase approved, it'll be the last time for a while,
so
> > I'd better not mess up by making unwarranted assumptions.
> >
> >
> >
> > Any hardware gurus want to comment? Anybody found just the exact
> > comparison on a reliable site?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Kevin (lusting after some new iron)
> >
> >
> > The information contained in this electronic mail transmission
> > may be privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected
> > from disclosure. If you have received this communication in
> > error, please notify us immediately by replying to this
> > message and deleting it from your computer without copying
> > or disclosing it.
> >
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > 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
> >
> > True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> > Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
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> >
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------------------------------

Message: 14
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:08:43 +0100
From: "Lech Rzedzicki" <xchaotic -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
To: "kelly keck" <kelly -dot- keck -at- imagine-one -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<7d863f140804160608w61f49a8dya7507428300d6e9e -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

My opinion is that you should definitely drop the date in a filename.
Not only are the reasons mentioned here valid, but what
file_10_01_08.doc really means?
It may be 10th of Jan or 1st of Oct in some places, heck it might even
mean 1908.
Standard date functions both in SCMs and filesystem take that into
consideration.

Furthermore if you want to release a document/docset to be used
outside of SCM repository, you create a point in time snaphot, in SVN
called a tag. Not obligatory but a very good practice - it usually
tagged with a date, to give it a unique name.

Finally, since you haven't decided on SCM yet, I suggest you go to
distributed system such as Mercurial or GIT instead of centralized
like CVS or SVN. The main advantage is that when you're not connected
to central repository, you can happily create new version in your
local repo and sync them later. Merges are usually automatic. Briefly
CVS < SVN < GIT.

Lech


------------------------------

Message: 15
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:10:57 -0400
From: "Dan Goldstein" <DGoldstein -at- riverainmedical -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<0ADA9A22B5BC2147B360A22FD2BAD25C010F56EC -at- RMGBEX01 -dot- rmg -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Ah, headers.

Check out:
<http://www.vbaexpress.com/kb/getarticle.php?kb_id=459>
And:
<http://cybertext.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/update-fields-in-headers-and-
footers/>

Also, note that the STYLEREF field (very common in headers) can be
locked to prevent updating.

HTH,

Dan

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jessica Weissman
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:59 AM
> To: Dan Goldstein
> Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
>
> 2003. I put in all the patches that come my way, so I'm
> probably up to date.
>
> Most of the field update problems are in headers. I should
> probably look at the headers and see if there's something
> odd.
>
> I also have to sneak onto a few other people's computers
> and switch the setting.
>
> - Jessica
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dan Goldstein
> > Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:56 AM
> > To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: RE: Version Control - Dates & Versions in File Names
> >
> > Hi Jessica,
> >
> > Beth Melton reported that the October 16, 2002 security patch
> > to Word 97/2000/2002 "changes the behavior of the Update
> > Fields option located under Tools/Options/Print."
> >
> > Which version of Word are you running?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Dan
> >

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------------------------------

Message: 16
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:18:11 -0400
From: <richard -dot- melanson -at- us -dot- tel -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Replacing "master" and "slave" terminology
To: <Darren -dot- Butler -dot- ctr -at- Robins -dot- af -dot- mil>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<DBB2E440DE7DB54C80998A2D274B9EDC016B20CD -at- temis0520 -dot- us -dot- tel -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Thank you for this post Darin. I, personally, respect and appreciate what
you have stated.
Rick


-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+richard -dot- melanson=us -dot- tel -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+richard -dot- melanson=us -dot- tel -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Butler,Darren J CTR USAF AFMC 584 CBSS/GBHAC
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:12 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Replacing "master" and "slave" terminology

My fellow Tech Comms,

Political Correctness in TW'ing is a bottomless pit.

I've tried manfully (person-fully?) to ignore the subject, but as one whose
self esteem might be "damaged" by these "oppressive" terms, I gotta weigh-in
on this one.



My profession is Technical Writing/Editing; my heritage is both African
*and* Hebrew; and I was born and raised below the U.S. Mason-Dixon Line.
The words "Master" and "Slave" - when used as technical terms - have
NEVER......EVER conjured up images of whips, chains, picking cotton or
building pyramids. I feel extremely patronized when someone considers my
skin to be so thin that such widely and historically accepted technical
terms as these would be offensive to me. Any technical author who went
through some of the contortions discussed in this thread - however
well-intentioned - to avoid being "insulting" would produce the opposite
result in my case and many others.



If Engineers were designing "Evil Oppressor Cylinders" and "Disenfranchised
Victim Cylinders" - well yes, I'd have a problem with that, because it was
both insulting and silly.



There are exceptions of course, such as gender neutrality, but even that can
get off in the weeds sometimes. I do agree that writing with cultural
understanding and common sense should govern, but for me, "PC"
stands for either Proper Communication or Poor Communication; anything else
does not belong in the realm of technical communication.



Thank to Yves Jeaurond, for reminding us that a word does not have the same
value in every topic. If anyone should understand this fact it'd Technical
Wordsmiths. Thank to John Posada, for reminding us where our bread ($$) is
buttered.



Respectfully,

Darren J. Butler

Senior Technical Publications Specialist

NG Corp





-----Original Message-----

From:
techwr-l-bounces+darren -dot- butler -dot- ctr=robins -dot- af -dot- mil -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+darren -dot- butler -dot- ctr=robins -dot- af -dot- mil -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot-
com] On Behalf Of Abels, Marci A [NTK]

Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 9:49 AM

To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Subject: Re: Replacing "master" and "slave" terminology



I agree that master/slave is a good description, but, as pointed out here
already, it will get in the way of good communication for some of the
audience. I have used manager/contributor to describe this relationship.





Marci Abels | Technical Writer II

Process Development & Documentation Center (PDDC)

Documentation - it's in our name, it's our function, it's our business

Network Services | Business Operations (BIZOPS)

Office (913-794-4347) | Mobile (913-579-1929)

6220 Sprint Parkway |KSOPHD0504 - 5B714 | Overland Park, KS 66251





-----Original Message-----

Message: 7

Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:12:17 -0500

From: "kelly keck" <kelly -dot- keck -at- imagine-one -dot- com>

Subject: Re: Replacing "master" and "slave" terminology

To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>

Message-ID:


<18EEB48B693F23448281FC3A7B87AE620178B129 -at- 34093-EVS3C1 -dot- exchange -dot- rackspac
e.com>



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



Andrew wrote:



----------------------

Excerpted from what I wrote the last time this subject came up on the

list...



Leader Follower

Primary Secondary

Host Guest

Server Client

First Second

Central Peripheral

Major Minor

Principal Additional

Main Subsidiary

Superior Subordinate

Husband Wife

---------------------





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Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
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------------------------------

Message: 17
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:39:26 +0100
From: "Lech Rzedzicki" <xchaotic -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: History of structured authoring tools
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<7d863f140804160739w62b2e4b1k96589110db3e7ac4 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I especially like to remind myself with estimate from Knuth:
"On May 13, 1977, he wrote a memo to himself describing the basic
features of TeX. He planned to finish it on his sabbatical in 1978,
but as it happened the language was frozen only in 1989, more than ten
years later."

Document layout issues will be with us forever. I think current
problems will shift from paper to limited display space on mobile
devices, hence the growth of Usability studies.

Lech


------------------------------

Message: 18
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:13:15 -0500
From: Mike Starr <mikestarr-techwr-l -at- writestarr -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: John Posada <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <4806178B -dot- 4000207 -at- writestarr -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

I don't know about you but I saw a smilie at the end of Lauren's post...
seems to me her sense of humor is intact.
--
Mike Starr WriteStarr Information Services
Technical Writer - Online Help Developer - Technical Illustrator
Graphic Designer - Desktop Publisher - MS Office Expert
(262) 694-1028 - mike -at- writestarr -dot- com - http://www.writestarr.com

John Posada wrote:
> I think I should be insulted by this response, but you going through life
> without a sense of humor must be hard enough for you.
>
> On 4/15/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
>>> From: John Posada
>>> On 4/14/08, SB <sylvia -dot- braunstein -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>>>> Is there a tool out there that allows you to clean up MS Word?
>>> Format c: ?
>> Some days, this list is helpful, then there are days like these. For
some
>> reason, when I was reading and responding to this thread, I flashed on a
>> memory of advice from a person on one list who said to delete all files
>> with
>> the extension .dll. Dipwad237, is that you?
>>
>> :)
>>
>> Lauren


------------------------------

Message: 19
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:33:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: Karen Mulholland <kemulholland -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Re: master & slave ad nauseam (let's stop, shall we?)
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <830894 -dot- 15458 -dot- qm -at- web54602 -dot- mail -dot- re2 -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Thanks to Mike West, Yves Jaurond, John Posada, and
Darren Butler for making some more good and valid
points in this discussion - and apologies to everyone
who's sick of it. :-)

I am wary of saying "the problem must be with some
members of the audience" (even when it's probably
true), as I am wary of saying "my job is to be as
accurate as possible".

I believe my job is to *communicate effectively* -
which encompasses being as accurate as readers need
and accommodating my audience to the degree that I can
without straying from the original goal. I think that
if my work elicits an emotional reaction, that
detracts from its effectiveness.

I believe that there are two ways that we technical
communicators most often elicit that unwanted
emotional reaction - one is to use language that perks
up the antennae of the professionally offended; the
other is to patronize or insult the intelligence of
our readers by catering to the professionally
offended. (Excellent point, Darren - you are exactly
right. Ask me about phrases like "people who are
pregnant". :-)

One of the ways we prove our worth to our employers is
by writing clear, accurate prose that avoids both
these pitfalls.

Over the years I have found that when I encounter a
sentence or phrase that doesn't sit right with me or
with one of my reviewers, it's usually most effective
to "write around the problem". In the course of this
discussion, it's become clear to me that "master" and
"slave" *are* the right words; the way to write around
any perceived problem these words is to use them as
adjectives. So our application note will discuss
master MagicBoxes and slave MagicBoxes. No problem
there.

"No problem" is the ideal outcome - far better than
"trivial problem", "imaginary problem", or "your
problem". So it's what I aim for. I don't always
achieve ideal outcomes, but I can't *ever* achieve the
ideal without striving for it.

Again, thanks to all who contributed to this thread!
All of you helped me to clarify my own thinking on
this question.

KEM


------------------------------

Message: 20
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:42:37 -0400
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "'SB'" <sylvia -dot- braunstein -at- gmail -dot- com>, "'TECHWR-L'"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <012c01c89fe0$e31e3ec0$2f01a8c0 -at- GranatEditOne>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Tools > Templates and Add-Ins > Organizer.


Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l
> .com] On Behalf Of SB
> Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 9:02 AM
> To: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
>
> Is there a tool out there that allows you to clean up MS Word?
>
> We are trying to apply a template but many styles are redundant and I
> am wondering if there is a tool that can identify the styles that have
> different names but the same formatting.
>
> In short, I am wondering how we can have clean documents without
> having to paste everything as text and reformatting everything from
> scratch. Is this possible?
>




------------------------------

Message: 21
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:47:41 -0500 (CDT)
From: Nancy Allison <maker -at- verizon -dot- net>
Subject: Saving email to Access database?
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<16015616 -dot- 512121208368061776 -dot- JavaMail -dot- root -at- vms170 -dot- mailsrvcs -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Someone on the list mentioned this in passing, and I'm curious.

I've done it myself, by following the quick'n'easy directions I readily
found online, but some pretty crucial information wasn't carried over to the
DB. Could it have been the date and time of each post? Yes, I think so! (And
what genius neglected to automated that part of the transfer? Who knows!)

I have a book on Access DBs, and of course I will soon find several hours in
which to read it with devoted attention and meticulously follow its every
direction.

But.

In the meantime, if you could tell me how *you* do it . . . I would greatly
appreciate it.

--Nancy


------------------------------

Message: 22
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:01:35 -0400
From: "Bill Swallow" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Saving email to Access database?
To: "Nancy Allison" <maker -at- verizon -dot- net>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<375e3cb30804161101q479ce5e4q173ccca50c8ad46c -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

> In the meantime, if you could tell me how *you* do it . . . I would
greatly appreciate it.

I just use Gmail. :-)

--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com


------------------------------

Message: 23
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:03:03 -0400
From: "Dan Goldstein" <DGoldstein -at- riverainmedical -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Saving email to Access database?
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<0ADA9A22B5BC2147B360A22FD2BAD25C010F573A -at- RMGBEX01 -dot- rmg -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Nancy,

That was me, with a little help from Hans V. at Woody's Lounge. But I
prefer using Access to save to Excel, as follows:

1. Open new MDB file in Access.

Repeat steps 2-7 for each desired Outlook folder:
2. File => Get External Data => Import.
3. File Type Outlook, select desired Outlook folder.
4. Copy imported table.
5. Open new Excel file.
6. Edit => Paste Special => Text.
7. Save and close Excel file.

8. Delete imported Access table and close Access DB.
9. Delete new MDB file.

The Excel columns include the date and time that messages are received,
created, and modified. Of course, they also include the Priority,
Subject, From, CC, To, Message Size, Contents [body], Prefix [RE, FW],
etc.

I guess if you want to save it as an Access DB, you could stop after
step 3.

- Dan Goldstein

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nancy Allison
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:48 PM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Saving email to Access database?
>
> Someone on the list mentioned this in passing, and I'm
> curious.
>
> I've done it myself, by following the quick'n'easy
> directions I readily found online, but some pretty
> crucial information wasn't carried over to the DB.
> Could it have been the date and time of each post?
> Yes, I think so! (And what genius neglected to
> automated that part of the transfer? Who knows!)
>
> I have a book on Access DBs, and of course I will
> soon find several hours in which to read it with
> devoted attention and meticulously follow its
> every direction.
>
> But.
>
> In the meantime, if you could tell me how *you*
> do it . . . I would greatly appreciate it.
>

This message contains confidential information intended only for the use of
the addressee(s). If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible
for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading,
disseminating, distributing, copying, electronic storing or the taking of
any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this message by mistake, please notify us,
by replying to the sender, and delete the original message immediately
thereafter. Thank you.



------------------------------

Message: 24
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:14:01 -0400
From: "Dan Goldstein" <DGoldstein -at- riverainmedical -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Saving email to Access database?
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<0ADA9A22B5BC2147B360A22FD2BAD25C010F573B -at- RMGBEX01 -dot- rmg -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nancy Allison
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:07 PM
> To: Dan Goldstein
> Subject: Re: Saving email to Access database?
>
> Thank you, Dan! This *is* what I remember.
>
> My files would ultimately contain thousands of messages. (I
> have no luck with the search on Techwr-l, so I save virtually
> all Tech wr-l messages). Are your Excel files large, and do
> you have any trouble with them?
>

Hi Nancy,

My files already contain thousands of messages, which I suppose some
people would consider "large." But no, I don't have any trouble with
them.

Regarding TECHWR-L's native search function: I don't use it. If I want
to find the word "wombat" on TECHWR-L, I Google for <wombat
site:techwr-l.com>

- Dan

P.S.: I just threw "wombat" in there as a random word. Would you believe
44 hits?




































This message contains confidential information intended only for the use of
the addressee(s). If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible
for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading,
disseminating, distributing, copying, electronic storing or the taking of
any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this message by mistake, please notify us,
by replying to the sender, and delete the original message immediately
thereafter. Thank you.



------------------------------

Message: 25
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:56:34 -0700
From: "Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "'John Posada'" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: 'TECHWR-L' <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <20080416185902 -dot- CA9F986610 -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Be insulted by a post if that's what you want to feel, but I was making a
joke, hence the smilie. Perhaps my humor is a little high-level, I can aim
lower. <That's another joke.>

Lauren


________________________________

From: John Posada [mailto:jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:35 AM
To: Lauren
Cc: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)


I think I should be insulted by this response, but you going through
life without a sense of humor must be hard enough for you.




------------------------------

Message: 26
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:14:46 -0400
From: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
Cc: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<b3a91dc50804161214x7c920e8chb45da8f579865704 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I don't consider being called a dipwad by anyone as humorous.

On 4/16/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
>
> Be insulted by a post if that's what you want to feel, but I was making a
> joke, hence the smilie. Perhaps my humor is a little high-level, I can
> aim
> lower. <That's another joke.>
>
> Lauren
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: John Posada [mailto:jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:35 AM
> To: Lauren
> Cc: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
>
>
> I think I should be insulted by this response, but you going
> through
> life without a sense of humor must be hard enough for you.
>
>
>


--
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
NYMetro STC President

- Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with everything."


------------------------------

Message: 27
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:23:03 -0700
From: "Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "'John Posada'" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: 'TECHWR-L' <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <20080416192531 -dot- 812D28738A -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

*You* weren't being called a dipwad. I was referring to the guy in another
list years ago that mentioned deleting all the dll files a dipwad. I asked
if you were that guy. Obviously, you are not, but how do you expect a
response like "format c:" to be received?

If you were serious about your suggestion of formatting the c drive, then
maybe you should take my comment seriously. If you were, as I expect,
making a joke, then you should not be so serious about my response to your
joke, which is also a joke.

Do you expect that people should take you seriously when you make a joke?
Or do expect people should take you seriously when you suggest formatting
the c drive?

Lauren


________________________________

From: John Posada [mailto:jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:15 PM
To: Lauren
Cc: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)


I don't consider being called a dipwad by anyone as humorous.


On 4/16/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:

Be insulted by a post if that's what you want to feel, but I
was making a
joke, hence the smilie. Perhaps my humor is a little
high-level, I can aim
lower. <That's another joke.>

Lauren


________________________________

From: John Posada [mailto:jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:35 AM
To: Lauren
Cc: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)


I think I should be insulted by this response, but
you going through
life without a sense of humor must be hard enough for you.







--
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
NYMetro STC President

- Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with
everything."




------------------------------

Message: 28
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:35:26 -0400
From: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
Cc: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<b3a91dc50804161235m4307ad16xab5495be16c9d56c -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I guess we're just going to have to leave it that I was offended, you cannot
understand that I was, and go on from there.

On 4/16/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
>
> *You* weren't being called a dipwad. I was referring to the guy in
> another
> list years ago that mentioned deleting all the dll files a dipwad. I
> asked
> if you were that guy. Obviously, you are not, but how do you expect a
> response like "format c:" to be received?
>
> If you were serious about your suggestion of formatting the c drive, then
> maybe you should take my comment seriously. If you were, as I expect,
> making a joke, then you should not be so serious about my response to your
> joke, which is also a joke.
>
> Do you expect that people should take you seriously when you make a joke?
> Or do expect people should take you seriously when you suggest formatting
> the c drive?
>
> Lauren
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: John Posada [mailto:jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:15 PM
> To: Lauren
> Cc: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
>
>
> I don't consider being called a dipwad by anyone as humorous.
>
>
> On 4/16/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
>
> Be insulted by a post if that's what you want to feel, but
> I
> was making a
> joke, hence the smilie. Perhaps my humor is a little
> high-level, I can aim
> lower. <That's another joke.>
>
> Lauren
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: John Posada [mailto:jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 5:35 AM
> To: Lauren
> Cc: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
>
>
> I think I should be insulted by this response, but
> you going through
> life without a sense of humor must be hard enough for you.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> John Posada
> Senior Technical Writer
> NYMetro STC President
>
> - Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with
> everything."
>
>
>


--
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
NYMetro STC President

- Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with everything."


------------------------------

Message: 29
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:36:46 -0400
From: "Bill Swallow" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<375e3cb30804161236s65d32bev68b3368459f99cde -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Fortunately (or unfortunately) techwr-l isn't the only list
experiencing a post tax day grumble fest.

I think everyone should just call it a day early and hit the pub.

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 3:23 PM, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
> *You* weren't being called a dipwad. I was referring to the guy in
another
> list years ago that mentioned deleting all the dll files a dipwad. I
asked
> if you were that guy. Obviously, you are not, but how do you expect a
> response like "format c:" to be received?

--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com


------------------------------

Message: 30
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:39:00 -0400
From: "Al Geist" <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "'TECHWR-L'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <5E4A40521BBE4468B6CA964E3C33D92E -at- GADESKTOP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have to agree with John. It sounded like you called him a dipwad. I found
his response to be humorous. His was generic and thus funny to some of us.
You asked if he was "dipwad237." That's personal and not funny.

John 1 Lauren 0

Al Geist
Technical Writing, Help, Web Design, Video, Photography
Office/Msg: 802-872-9091
Cell: 802-578-3964
Website: www.geistassociates.com
See Also:
Fine Art Photography
Website: www.geistimages.com

"...I walked to work, quit my job, and kept walking. Better to be a pilgrim
without a destination, I figured, than to cross the wrong threshold each
day." (Anon.)




------------------------------

Message: 31
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:42:17 -0400
From: "Al Geist" <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "'Bill Swallow'" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>, "'TECHWR-L'"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <94A7FED22FF24474A4C0A3FF7A998FF4 -at- GADESKTOP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Forget John and Lauren, I vote for Bill Swallow's solution.

Al Geist
Technical Writing, Help, Web Design, Video, Photography
Office/Msg: 802-872-9091
Cell: 802-578-3964
Website: www.geistassociates.com
See Also:
Fine Art Photography
Website: www.geistimages.com

"...I walked to work, quit my job, and kept walking. Better to be a pilgrim
without a destination, I figured, than to cross the wrong threshold each
day." (Anon.)

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+al -dot- geist=geistassociates -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+al -dot- geist=geistassociates -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Bill Swallow
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 3:37 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)

Fortunately (or unfortunately) techwr-l isn't the only list
experiencing a post tax day grumble fest.

I think everyone should just call it a day early and hit the pub.

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 3:23 PM, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
> *You* weren't being called a dipwad. I was referring to the guy in
another
> list years ago that mentioned deleting all the dll files a dipwad. I
asked
> if you were that guy. Obviously, you are not, but how do you expect a
> response like "format c:" to be received?

--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
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Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
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------------------------------

Message: 32
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:50:28 -0600
From: "Combs, Richard" <richard -dot- combs -at- Polycom -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "Al Geist" <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>, "Bill Swallow"
<techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>, "TECHWR-L"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:

<AABEB232F95338499DF8F513EE2B2C78A69E9D -at- WSTEXCH00 -dot- westminster -dot- polycom -dot- com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Al Geist wrote:

> Forget John and Lauren, I vote for Bill Swallow's solution.

I'll drink to that! Or, to put it another way, I'll swallow the
solution. :-)

It must be Happy Hour somewhere.

Richard


------
Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
------






------------------------------

Message: 33
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:52:26 -0400
From: "Al Geist" <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "'TECHWR-L'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <401A869BBC6F4E308306DCEFCA48BFD8 -at- GADESKTOP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

That must mean Bill is buying....

Al Geist
Technical Writing, Help, Web Design, Video, Photography
Office/Msg: 802-872-9091
Cell: 802-578-3964
Website: www.geistassociates.com
See Also:
Fine Art Photography
Website: www.geistimages.com

"...I walked to work, quit my job, and kept walking. Better to be a pilgrim
without a destination, I figured, than to cross the wrong threshold each
day." (Anon.)





------------------------------

Message: 34
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:17:04 +0200
From: ASTeC <list -at- astec -dot- be>
Subject: Re: [TOOLS] PCI-e versus PCI-e Graphic slots
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <48063490 -dot- 8090809 -at- astec -dot- be>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

(second try ;-)

Hello,

Before working as a Technical Communicator, I worked for several years
as an electronics engineer. In my last job, we developed PCI-e boards.

So, if a slot is defined as graphics, it means only a graphics board can
be plugged and used in it. In fact, it is not so much a hardware
limitation than a software one (BIOS in fact). A PCI-e board must
identify itself once plugged in a slot. So the motherboard can detect
the add-on board type, its functions and characteristics and configure
itself accordingly.

As the most probable board that will be ever used in this slot is a
graphics board, the motherboard manufacturer limits its BIOS to such a
board detection and support. Time to market and design reduction cost,
as usual :-(

I could talk longer about motherboards and BIOS design "shortcuts" ;-)
By the way, most PCI-e slot under-wired are not even compliant with the
PCI-SIG standards.

IMPORTANT REMARK: according to the PCI-SIG specification, a slot as well
as a board are required to work ONLY as x1 and their maximum
configuration. Thus a x4 board inserted in a x16 slot for example must
work in a x1 configuration but not necessarily in a x4 configuration as
the slot may work only as x1 and x16 (depending on its design).

Regards,

Andr?

ASTeC a ?crit :
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> 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
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
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>
>



------------------------------

Message: 35
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:33:40 -0400
From: "Zen C" <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: there is vs. there's
To: "techwr-l List" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<a196c7b70804161333v111c27eal23192e4d2b0dd00a -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi,

Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing? or is
it a standard followed based on preference.

Zen


------------------------------

Message: 36
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:43:42 -0700
From: "Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- SoleraTec -dot- com>
Subject: RE: there is vs. there's
To: "Zen C" <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>, "techwr-l List"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<0C8F3D44D4B5134D964EC1AA5F1EE7710B7A15 -at- clark -dot- esc -dot- soleratec -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

If your docs will be translated or your audience in non-native speaking,
you should avoid "there's" and similar (informal) contractions.

Leonard C. Porrello
SoleraTec LLC
www.soleratec.com



-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Zen C
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:34 PM
To: techwr-l List
Subject: there is vs. there's

Hi,

Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing? or
is
it a standard followed based on preference.

Zen
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as
Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- soleratec -dot- com -dot-

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------------------------------

Message: 37
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:40:31 -0400
From: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's
To: "Zen C" <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l List <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<b3a91dc50804161340w5b3357dfn6f9e5b57b521d916 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Most companies with style guides will define whether contractions are
permissible. Some feel it creates an objectionable informality and some find
it creates a desirable intimacy.

On 4/16/08, Zen C <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing? or is
> it a standard followed based on preference.
>
>
> --
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
NYMetro STC President

- Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with everything."


------------------------------

Message: 38
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:40:53 -0700
From: "Chris Vickery" <cvickery -at- arenasolutions -dot- com>
Subject: RE: there is vs. there's
To: "Zen C" <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>, "techwr-l List"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<286005E9A182C541A4321D98CCF5474601704CE6 -at- HERMES -dot- corphq -dot- arena>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I think it depends on your style guide and the "voice" or tone you're
going for. We aim for a somewhat conversational tone, so we allow and
even encourage use of contractions.

I will note, though, that starting too many sentences with "there is" or
"there's" runs the risk of lazy, vague language.

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+cvickery=arenasolutions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+cvickery=arenasolutions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]
On Behalf Of Zen C
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:34 PM
To: techwr-l List
Subject: there is vs. there's

Hi,

Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing? or
is
it a standard followed based on preference.

Zen
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
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------------------------------

Message: 39
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:43:36 -0400
From: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's
To: "Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- soleratec -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l List <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<b3a91dc50804161343g38c0afcbid56a8dfd54cc54eb -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Isn't handling that up to your professional translation company? It's not
like they haven't seen contractions,so they'll know how to handle them.

On 4/16/08, Leonard C. Porrello <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- soleratec -dot- com> wrote:
>
> If your docs will be translated or your audience in non-native speaking,
> you should avoid "there's" and similar (informal) contractions.
>
> Leonard C. Porrello
> SoleraTec LLC
> www.soleratec.com
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard.porrello<techwr-l-bounces%2Bleonard.porrell
o>
> =soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
> om] On Behalf Of Zen C
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:34 PM
> To: techwr-l List
> Subject: there is vs. there's
>
> Hi,
>
> Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing? or
> is
> it a standard followed based on preference.
>
>
>
>
> --
> John Posada
> Senior Technical Writer
> NYMetro STC President
>
> - Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with everything."
>


------------------------------

Message: 40
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:59:53 -0400
From: "Zen C" <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's
To: "techwr-l List" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<a196c7b70804161359y325f6f35k90d73445180af070 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Do you recommend following a formal style when writing a SOP for a company
or informal (meaning using the spoken style of English)?

The reason I am asking is, I am checking a SOP that is written using the
"speaking style" of English and not sure if I should provide my feedback
saying "use writing style." There is not set standards the company follows,
this is the first SOP the company has documented.

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 4:45 PM, Fred Ridder <docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com> wrote:

> As always, it depends on what style guide you follow. Many (maybe
> most) style guides say to avoid contractions in formal writing. Period.
>
> The only possible benefits of contracting this phrase are to make your
> style less formal (which is perhaps not good), and to save exactly one
> character. On the downside, it possibly compromises readability a little
> bit (particularly for ESL readers, who often have problems with English
> contractions), and almost certainly causes issues in translation to some
> languages. So what's the point in doing it?
>
> -FR
>
> > Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:33:40 -0400
> > From: zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com
> > To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: there is vs. there's
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing? or
> is
> > it a standard followed based on preference.
> >
> > Zen
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > 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
> >
> > True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> > Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> > documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
> >
> > ---
> > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as docudoc -at- hotmail -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/docudoc%40hotmail.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.
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live Messenger.
Get
>
started!<http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid=TXT
_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_042008>
>


------------------------------

Message: 41
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:56:34 -0700
From: "Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
Subject: RE: there is vs. there's
To: "'Chris Vickery'" <cvickery -at- arenasolutions -dot- com>, "'Zen C'"
<zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>, "'techwr-l List'"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <20080416210005 -dot- 54D3487CF1 -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

> From: Chris Vickery

> I will note, though, that starting too many sentences with
> "there is" or
> "there's" runs the risk of lazy, vague language.

I'm inclined to agree here because if a sentence reads, "there is a
reference manual for this tool," then I think that the sentence would be
best stated, "refer to the manual for this tool."

Is there a case where a sentence with "there is" is not better stated
without "there is"?

Lauren



------------------------------

Message: 42
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:01:31 +1000
From: Janice Gelb <Janice -dot- Gelb -at- Sun -dot- COM>
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's
To: techwr-l List <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <4806692B -dot- 4070800 -at- sun -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=ISO-8859-1

Zen C wrote:
>
> Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing? or is
> it a standard followed based on preference.
>

For a long time, our style guide said not to
use any contractions at all. However, we found
that this made our writing sound stiff and very
formal. We checked with our localization department
and they then allowed a few acceptable contractions
that work for translators and most people with ESL
(don't, can't, isn't).

We wouldn't allow "there's" for two reasons: first,
it isn't a contraction that is easily understood by
translators or people with ESL. More importantly,
we discourage the use of "There is" and other
indefinite pronoun use (such as "These are") in
favor of more specific phrasing, for example,
changing "There is another method to change font
size" to "Another method to change font size is..."

-- Janice

***********************************************************
Janice Gelb | The only connection Sun has with
janice -dot- gelb -at- sun -dot- com | this message is the return address


------------------------------

Message: 43
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:06:10 -0700
From: "Chris Vickery" <cvickery -at- arenasolutions -dot- com>
Subject: RE: there is vs. there's
To: "Zen C" <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>, "techwr-l List"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<286005E9A182C541A4321D98CCF5474601704CF5 -at- HERMES -dot- corphq -dot- arena>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I would use formal language for SOPs included in a company's quality
system. Such documents strive for absolute clarity of communication and
may be audited by sticklers somewhere down the line.

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+cvickery=arenasolutions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+cvickery=arenasolutions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]
On Behalf Of Zen C
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:00 PM
To: techwr-l List
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's

Do you recommend following a formal style when writing a SOP for a
company
or informal (meaning using the spoken style of English)?

The reason I am asking is, I am checking a SOP that is written using the
"speaking style" of English and not sure if I should provide my feedback
saying "use writing style." There is not set standards the company
follows,
this is the first SOP the company has documented.

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 4:45 PM, Fred Ridder <docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com>
wrote:

> As always, it depends on what style guide you follow. Many (maybe
> most) style guides say to avoid contractions in formal writing.
Period.
>
> The only possible benefits of contracting this phrase are to make your
> style less formal (which is perhaps not good), and to save exactly one
> character. On the downside, it possibly compromises readability a
little
> bit (particularly for ESL readers, who often have problems with
English
> contractions), and almost certainly causes issues in translation to
some
> languages. So what's the point in doing it?
>
> -FR
>
> > Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:33:40 -0400
> > From: zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com
> > To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> > Subject: there is vs. there's
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing?
or
> is
> > it a standard followed based on preference.
> >
> > Zen
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > 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
> >
> > True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> > Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> > documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
> >
> > ---
> > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as docudoc -at- hotmail -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/docudoc%40hotmail.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.
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live
Messenger. Get
>
started!<http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/connect_your_way.html?ocid
=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_video_042008>
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as cvickery -at- arenasolutions -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
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------------------------------

Message: 44
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:13:18 -0700
From: "Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- SoleraTec -dot- com>
Subject: RE: there is vs. there's
To: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l List <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<0C8F3D44D4B5134D964EC1AA5F1EE7710B7A18 -at- clark -dot- esc -dot- soleratec -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Unless you are using contractions in a deliberate attempt to create a
particular, informal voice and you expect that voice to be carried over
into your translated docs, I don't see the benefit of assuming
non-native speakers and translators will handle difficult contractions
gracefully.



Leonard C. Porrello

SoleraTec LLC

www.soleratec.com





________________________________

From: John Posada [mailto:jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:44 PM
To: Leonard C. Porrello
Cc: Zen C; techwr-l List
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's



Isn't handling that up to your professional translation company? It's
not like they haven't seen contractions,so they'll know how to handle
them.

On 4/16/08, Leonard C. Porrello <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- soleratec -dot- com> wrote:

If your docs will be translated or your audience in non-native speaking,
you should avoid "there's" and similar (informal) contractions.

Leonard C. Porrello
SoleraTec LLC
www.soleratec.com



-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+leonard -dot- porrello=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+leonard.porrello
<mailto:techwr-l-bounces%2Bleonard.porrello>
=soleratec -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Zen C
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 1:34 PM
To: techwr-l List
Subject: there is vs. there's

Hi,

Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical Writing? or
is
it a standard followed based on preference.




--
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
NYMetro STC President

- Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with
everything."



------------------------------

Message: 45
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:09:41 -0400
From: "Milan Davidovic" <milan -dot- lists -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's
To: "Zen C" <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l List <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<98b2fdd50804161409v426f0b20h7ae217f34a99fb82 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On 4/16/08, Zen C <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> Do you recommend following a formal style when writing a SOP for a company
> or informal (meaning using the spoken style of English)?

I don't write SOPs here, so I pulled a dozen or so of the ones I have
to follow. I searched them for apostrophes, and found no contractions.

--
Milan Davidovic
http://altmilan.blogspot.com
http://stctorcomp.blogspot.com


------------------------------

Message: 46
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:09:45 -0400
From: Fred Ridder <docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com>
Subject: RE: there is vs. there's
To: 'techwr-l List' <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <BAY106-W565475B35D1A11A15DFBD1BAEA0 -at- phx -dot- gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


> Is there a case where a sentence with "there is" is not better stated
> without "there is"?

Yes, I think there is.
_________________________________________________________________
Going green? See the top 12 foods to eat organic.
http://green.msn.com/galleries/photos/photos.aspx?gid=164&ocid=T003MSN51N165
3A

------------------------------

Message: 47
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:30:18 -0700
From: "Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
Subject: If I Did It PDF question
To: "'techwr-l List'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <20080416213245 -dot- B227687DB5 -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

This isn't exactly technical writing, but I am looking at contract jobs
online and my web browser crashed while opening the page of one employer
(Adecco E&T), so my concern is job search-related. The crash appears to
have been caused by the IfIDidIt.pdf automatic download thing that keeps
going around. I don't know if it is a virus or worm or ad gremlin or what.
I can't find anything about it online and I don't know what to call the
problem.

Here's what happens. I click a link for a site, an automatic download
begins, the web browser crashes, and there's (oh look, irony) IfIDidIt.pdf
in my downloads folder. I was afraid to open the pdf because I thought it
was a virus. So now, I opened the file to view it in Acrobat and I see that
it is really the OJ Simpson book, although it may have something hacky
attached to it. It doesn't look like anything is attached to it. The file
was created 6/13/07 with OmniPage Pro.

So now I have questions.

* I apparently have an unauthorized copy of the book, do I kick $20 or
whatever to the Ron Goldman Foundation to stay legal?

* This download occurs frequently, so how do I prevent the automatic
download of this book in the future?

* Has anyone else heard about this issue?

* I run ad-aware, spy doctor, and mcafee, is there anything else I should do
to protect myself?

* Does anyone know why this book is circulating through the Internet? Do
you think somebody is trying to undermine book sales?

I guess I'll avoid links to Adecco for a little bit.

Lauren



------------------------------

Message: 48
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:36:32 -0700
From: "Chris Morton" <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Estimating a project rate?
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<746d910c0804161436j781237dcnb9633a341a202545 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi All,

I've recently been contacted to provide a "one-voice" edit to a 450-page
technical book being published by a leading technical book publisher. The
chapters are to be written by several authors at a software development
firm, with yours truly providing the unifying touch. The work will all be
done on a telecommute basis, although I'll probably have to visit the
software firm at least once to say "hello."

If it were you, how much would you charge for such an undertaking? Years ago
I was one of many technical editors for Que's *Using CorelDRAW! 5.0*, for
which I received a dollar a page. Given that this project will require more
actual *writing*, I know that rate won't suffice. How can I best make this
worth my while without pricing myself out of the market? I also want to
float a rate that's attractive to the publisher, so as to encourage them to
want to use my services again, but don't want to underbid so low so as to
not get a respectable return from my efforts.

Your thoughts?

Jagdriver


------------------------------

Message: 49
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:23:33 -0600
From: "Collin Turner" <straylightsghost -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Estimating a project rate?
To: chrismorton11 -at- gmail -dot- com
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<6d44877a0804161523w1b9bf3e1x35047cb8d072c768 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

http://editorsdesktop.com/rates.html
http://www.darlabruno.com/rates_payment.html

Those are decent references (although a bit dated). I typically look
at the location of the company doing the hiring, check going rates in
that area and start at that ballpark. Highlight my strengths - start a
bit high and listen to everything they say.

Good luck!

-Collin
________________________________


The unofficial words
...and blog...
of a Technical Writer
collinturner.com

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 3:36 PM, Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I've recently been contacted to provide a "one-voice" edit to a 450-page
> technical book being published by a leading technical book publisher. The
> chapters are to be written by several authors at a software development
> firm, with yours truly providing the unifying touch. The work will all be
> done on a telecommute basis, although I'll probably have to visit the
> software firm at least once to say "hello."
>
> If it were you, how much would you charge for such an undertaking? Years
ago
> I was one of many technical editors for Que's *Using CorelDRAW! 5.0*, for
> which I received a dollar a page. Given that this project will require
more
> actual *writing*, I know that rate won't suffice. How can I best make
this
> worth my while without pricing myself out of the market? I also want to
> float a rate that's attractive to the publisher, so as to encourage them
to
> want to use my services again, but don't want to underbid so low so as to
> not get a respectable return from my efforts.
>
> Your thoughts?
>
> Jagdriver
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> 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
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as straylightsghost -at- gmail -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/straylightsghost%40gmail.
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.
>
>


------------------------------

Message: 50
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:00:13 -0600
From: "technical writing plus" <doc-x -at- earthlink -dot- net>
Subject: RE: If I Did It PDF question
To: "'Lauren'" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <000401c8a01e$038ec390$2101a8c0 -at- ThomJames>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

* I apparently have an unauthorized copy of the book, do I kick $20 or
whatever to the Ron Goldman Foundation to stay legal?

Jim says: I don't think so. I really doubt it. What if you get someone who
is quite the astute programmer who makes it possible for a company to kind
of force people to download their product. If this company makes much $ from
the downloads, then it must be ok, right? Or no?

* This download occurs frequently, so how do I prevent the automatic
download of this book in the future?

Jim says: I don't know.

* Has anyone else heard about this issue?

Jim says: TMZ.com might know something because I just read on article that
touches on this issue of that book that is floating around the internet.

[ http://www.tmz.com/2007/06/19/oj-did-it-leaked-online ]

* I run ad-aware, spy doctor, and mcafee, is there anything else I should do
to protect myself?

Jim says: I don't know.

* Does anyone know why this book is circulating through the Internet? Do
you think somebody is trying to undermine book sales?

Jim says: TMZ.com might know. The Wikipedia article about the book is
interesting [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_I_Did_It ].

Jim Jones



------------------------------

Message: 51
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:03:34 -0400
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>
Subject: RE: there is vs. there's
To: "'Zen C'" <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>, "'techwr-l List'"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <01a701c8a01e$7bf95520$2f01a8c0 -at- GranatEditOne>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Yes, there is. <g> Avoid them both, but the latter always and the former
whenever possible. Why? Because it's "weak."

For example: If you want to say, "There is a button in the bottom of the
dialog box that you can click to get the Lobdu to open in a new window,"
your reader will be happier if you say instead, "Click the red button in the
Hygzry dialog box to open the Lobdu in a new window."

"There is" is considered weak because it has no content, as it were. The
reader has to wait a while before you throw him something that has actual
meaning for his brain to process.

Sometimes it's the only way one *can* say something, but those times are
extremely rare (if that's not a redundancy).


Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l
> .com] On Behalf Of Zen C
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 4:34 PM
> To: techwr-l List
> Subject: there is vs. there's
>
> Hi,
>
> Is there a rule about using "there is/there's" in Technical
> Writing? or is
> it a standard followed based on preference.
>
> Zen
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> 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
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as bgranat -at- granatedit -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/bgranat%40g
> ranatedit.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.
>
>




------------------------------

Message: 52
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:04:32 -0400
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "'TECHWR-L'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <01a801c8a01e$9ec23590$2f01a8c0 -at- GranatEditOne>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

She wasn't calling you that, John, as I understood it -- she was calling the
person from her
past that.


Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l
> .com] On Behalf Of John Posada
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 3:15 PM
> To: Lauren
> Cc: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Re: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
>
> I don't consider being called a dipwad by anyone as humorous.
>
> On 4/16/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
> >
> > Be insulted by a post if that's what you want to feel, but
> I was making a
> > joke, hence the smilie. Perhaps my humor is a little
> high-level, I can
> > aim
> > lower. <That's another joke.>




------------------------------

Message: 53
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:08:41 -0400
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
To: "'TECHWR-L'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <01ac01c8a01f$32d6d6f0$2f01a8c0 -at- GranatEditOne>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

And what if someone took his advice seriously because they just "didn't
know"? Would that be funny? Lauren may have been semi-addressing him, now
that I think of it, as if to say, "I hope you're joking, but you should have
signaled that."

OK, change of pace. Who wants to help me price a book evaluation?

Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l
> .com] On Behalf Of Al Geist
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 3:39 PM
> To: 'TECHWR-L'
> Subject: RE: Tool to clean up MS Word (2003)
>
> I have to agree with John. It sounded like you called him a
> dipwad. I found
> his response to be humorous. His was generic and thus funny
> to some of us.
> You asked if he was "dipwad237." That's personal and not funny.
>




------------------------------

Message: 54
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:46:42 -0400
From: "Milan Davidovic" <milan -dot- lists -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's
To: "techwr-l List" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<98b2fdd50804161746q55ef8c18xf712557b6b0a7a04 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On 4/16/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
> Is there a case where a sentence with "there is" is not better stated
> without "there is"?

This article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922784

is titled "There is a documentation error in the code example of the
"MailMessage.AlternateViews Property" MSDN article"

It could have been titled

"The code example of the "MailMessage.AlternateViews Property" MSDN
articlecontains a documentation error."

or

"The "MailMessage.AlternateViews Property" MSDN article contains a
documentaiton error in the code example"

What are the relative merits and problems of each approach? Discuss. (10
points)

--
Milan Davidovic
http://altmilan.blogspot.com
http://stctorcomp.blogspot.com


------------------------------

Message: 55
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:56:55 -0400
From: Barbara Donohue <bdonohue -at- alum -dot- mit -dot- edu>
Subject: Re: Estimating a project rate?
To: chrismorton11 -at- gmail -dot- com
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <0JZG00JC89HNXT60 -at- vms040 -dot- mailsrvcs -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi, Chris,

Years ago I learned, I think it was from Judith Tarutz's book,
Technical Editing, that one could expect to do developmental editing
at the rate of 100 pages/40-hour week. And I found that to be very
accurate for quoting jobs where I need to reorganize and/or
restructure a book. The pace of work may be similar for this
unification-of-voice type of editing.

When I have no idea how easy/difficult, fast/slow a project will be,
I like to do a sample portion of it and base my quote on that. But it
sounds as if none of this book has been written yet. True?

It sounds as if you'll be working for the publisher, rather than for
the software firm. I believe publishers generally have a budget
they're working from. So you can ask your contact at the publisher
what they have budgeted for the job. Bear in mind that they'll
probably quote you the low end of their range, and you should be able
to kick it up some.

The Editorial Freelancers Assoc. has some common rates and pace of
work listed on http://www.the-efa.org/res/rates.html, in $US.

Cheers,

Barbara
(The engineer who writes. . . and sometimes edits)







----------
Barbara Donohue
The engineer who writes. Turning technology into English.
978-263-4961
bdonohue -at- alum -dot- mit -dot- edu
Specializing in mechanical technologies
-------------- next part --------------


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------------------------------

Message: 56
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:05:02 -0500
From: "Kathleen MacDowell" <kathleen -at- writefortheuser -dot- com>
Subject: Re: there is vs. there's
To: "Milan Davidovic" <milan -dot- lists -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l List <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<a6597e660804162105u72db332eg3ff89a9dc23c55ff -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Personally, in this case I find the original easier to read and
understand than the rewrites.

But in general I'd avoid using "there is" and its derivatives.

Regards,

Kathleen

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 7:46 PM, Milan Davidovic <milan -dot- lists -at- gmail -dot- com>
wrote:
>
> On 4/16/08, Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> wrote:
> > Is there a case where a sentence with "there is" is not better stated
> > without "there is"?
>
> This article:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922784
>
> is titled "There is a documentation error in the code example of the
> "MailMessage.AlternateViews Property" MSDN article"
>
> It could have been titled
>
> "The code example of the "MailMessage.AlternateViews Property" MSDN
> articlecontains a documentation error."
>
> or
>
> "The "MailMessage.AlternateViews Property" MSDN article contains a
> documentaiton error in the code example"
>
> What are the relative merits and problems of each approach? Discuss. (10
points)
>
>
> --
> Milan Davidovic
> http://altmilan.blogspot.com
> http://stctorcomp.blogspot.com
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>
>
>
> 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
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as kathleen -at- writefortheuser -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/kathleen%40writefortheuse
r.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.
>
>
>



--
Kathleen MacDowell
www.writefortheuser.com


------------------------------

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