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Using the first person (was: Using the Term "User")
Subject:Using the first person (was: Using the Term "User") From:Fred M Jacobson <fred -at- BOOLE -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 6 Dec 1993 08:50:03 PST
In an earlier message, I wrote:
> What about using the _first_ person in documents. Everywhere I've ever
> worked, it's been prohibited. I've never wanted to write "I think ...",
> but at times "You should ..." does express "We recommend ..." What's
> your take on this?
But I mean to write:
> but at times "You should ..." doesn't express "We recommend ..."
^^^^^^^
Susan Gallagher wrote that she uses "We recommend..." at times. Does
_your_ style guide allow it? Do _you_ use it? Do you use the way
Susan does: "We recommend that you make a backup copy of this file
before you make any changes." Do you use it when there are two or
more ways to do something: "We recommend you use the window manager
to resize windows." (Or do you use "It is better/preferable to ..."
or "You may prefer to ..." or "You will find it better/easier/more
convenient to ..." or some other working for this situation.)
-Fred
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