Re: Use of "your"

[Sella Rush <SellaR -at- APPTECHSYS -dot- COM>]

I was thinking about this issue just recently--In a novel I'm reading,
one of the characters observes that children are sometimes obsessive
about possessives (how's that?)--"his work" "her lunch" "my Daddy"  I
don't know if the observation's true, but it got me thinking...

I decided I wouldn't use "your" in the stuff I'm working on now, because
it's technical stuff aimed at experienced programmers--computer
professionals.  Saying "your keyboard" sounded condescending--it's not
like they might think you mean their neighbor's keyboard.

But I might use it with documentation aimed at novices (or maybe with
young children).  I felt it sounded more personable, that it established
a tone that I can't really put into words.  Maybe something to do with
wanting to make novices more comfortable with using a computer, I don't
know.  I was going with the sound of it.

After reading the posts here, however, I wonder if the difference I
sensed had to do with professional versus personal use and actual
ownership.  Curious, I've never been a stickler for accurate
possessives.  But I haven't changed my mind.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sella Rush
sellar -at- apptechsys -dot- com
Applied Technical Systems, Inc. (ATS)
Bremerton, Washington USA
Developers of the CCM Database

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