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.
> Okay, I know it's language use, but it's driving me crazy.
> Does everyone use Login or Logon as the title of the Log In Screen?
I use whatever the operating system or application uses.
For example, the Windows NT box that I am using at this moment starts with a
window titled "Begin Logon," which prompts me to press Ctrl-Alt-Del to "log
on." (I personally think that's a really lousy bit of user interface
design, given the three-finger-salute's *usual* use, but that's another
story.) This usage is consistent with Microsoft's style guidelines, of
course.
On the other hand, every UNIX box I've ever seen offers a "Login:" prompt
when it wants you to start a session.
> The developers here argue that: 1) everyone does it and 2) if
> "set up" is the verb and "setup" is the noun, then "log in"
> is the verb and "login" is the noun.
I have *occasionally* seen "login" used as a verb, but 99.9% of my
experience is consistent with what your developers are telling you.
> My argument is that 1) multiple wrongs don't make a right and
> 2) "set up" is the verb and "setup" is the noun, but "log in"
> is always a verb and "log" is the noun.
Well, if you want to get *really* nitpicky, "userid," "user ID," or "Name"
or some suitable variation is the noun, because that's what the computer is
asking you for at the login prompt. Multi-user systems keep a log file of
comings and goings, which I suspect is how "log in" and "log out" came into
use. (Real-world analogies would be a timeclock or the sheet you have to
sign at Reception when you're on the premises after hours.) The system
isn't asking you for a log; it already knows what the log file is, and most
users have no control over that.
This is a case of a verb construction ("log in") getting "nounified" with
extended use. "Login" and "logon" are widely-accepted terms used to denote
gaining access to a computer system, and you're fighting against about 20
years' worth of usage.
Take care,
Scott
--
Scott A. McClare - Technical Writer
Neptec Design Group Ltd., Kanata, Ontario, Canada
(613) 599-7603 x504
smcclare -at- neptec -dot- com
