TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Barb Philbrick <caslonsvcs -at- IBM -dot- NET> wrote:
>I use graphics of the button or key. It's gotten positive >responses everywhere I've used it.
What about the various key fonts that are available? They'd probably
save time compared to the graphics.
As for the general question of emphasis, I've recently wondered if the
current standards don't overdo the whole thing, using a different
typographical indicator for buttons, menus, keys, and so on. So far, the
best response from users I've received is for a manual which didn't use
any typographical indicators, but used "keys," "menu" or "button" after
items.
I found it a little annoying have to be so precise, but not using any
special indicators did have the advantage of freeing users from having
to remember a set of conventions.
"If you hear not, hear me never,
If you burn not, freeze forever,
If you hunger not, starve in hell,
If you will not, then you never shall."
- Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Song of Sirit Byar"
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
