Words to avoid?

[Thea P]

Instead of "user," I would suggest using either "person" or "account,"
depending on what is meant.

Thea

On 7/5/06, Mike MacCana <mike.maccana at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks heaps Matt,
>
>
> On 7/5/06, Matthew Paul Thomas <mpt at myrealbox.com> wrote:
> > On Jul 4, 2006, at 3:18 PM, Mike MacCana wrote:
> > > ...
> > > * Word to avoid: System.
> > > ...
> > > * Better word to use instead:
> > > - Computer
> >
> > Good.
> >
> > > - Kernel
> >
> > Not so good -- most people don't know what a kernel is. Use it if you
> > absolutely have to discuss the kernel itself, otherwise just use
> > "Ubuntu" (or equivalent depending on what derivative you're writing
> > for).
>
>
> Agreed 100%. Will add. Only mentioned 'kernel' above because some people (and some programs, eg top) use 'system' as a synonym of 'kernel'. Obviosly someone using the term kernel would be limited to times where hey actually, specifically mean kernel.
>
> Ubuntu / Kubuntu / Xubuntu stuff is good too. Will add.
>
>
> > > * Word to Avoid: Architecture
> > > * Why: Ambiguous.Is my architecture 'x86 64', or 'thin client'? The
> > > front page of Community Docs has used the terms with both meanings for
> > > a couple of months now. Most humans aren't aware that computers have
> > > architecture.
> > > * Better word to use instead:
> > > - CPU type
> >
> > Similarly here, I think most people haven't heard of a CPU. And "Intel
> > Core Duo" CPU type, for example, doesn't tell you whether it's a PC or
> > a Mac. Perhaps "computer type".
>
>
> This is a hard one. Computer Type is still ambiguous.
>
> But imagine the current SupportArchitectures page replaced by something like this...
>
> There are three different versions of Ubuntu for different computer types, depending on the CPU used in the computer.
>
> (Instructions on how to check CPU type from Windows)
>  (Instructions on how to check CPU type from OS X)
>  (actually, screw that, lets determine if from their BrowserID!)
>
> Intel x86
> Most home an office computers are Intel x86. If you're currently running Windows, and aren't sure what kind of computer you have, this is a safe bet.
> If you have a recently purchased Mac, and it has an Intel processor, then this is also the version of Ubuntu for you.
>
> AMD64
> The next popular type of computer is AMD64.
>
> PowerPC
> Most PowerPC are older Mac machines. If your system can run Mac OS X, and it doesn't mention an Intel processor, then you have a PowerPC.
>
> (then more info)
>
> Just food for thought.
>
>
> > > * Word to avoid: Configure, configuration
> > > * Why: Unnecessary - 'configure' means the same thing as 'set up', but
> > > isn't used part of regular, plain speech.
> > > * Better words to use instead:
> > > - set up, setting up
> >
> > Or "change", depending on the situation.
>
>
> Cool, will add.
>
>
>
> > > Any more suggestions/additions folks?
> > > ...
> >
> > For anything produced or overseen by the Documentation Team, I
> > recommend avoiding these words (and their plurals, participles etc):
> > abort
>
>
> Yup. Replace with Cancel, stop.
>
> > allow...to
>
> Replace with: Let.
>
> > boot
>   (replace initialize too)
> Start
>
> > browse
>
> View
>
>
> >, button, checkbox,
> > conventions
> >, dialog,
> > dialogue
>
>  > radiobutton
>
>
> Suggestions?
>
> > die
>
> Stop finish, end.
>
> > documentation
>
> help, instructions
>
> > empower
>
> Allows you to
>
> > enable
>
> Turn on
>
> > following
>
> Then, the next, etc.
>
> > illegal
>
> Sggestions?
>
> > in order to
>
> God I hate that one too. What a waste of words :^)
> 'to'
>
> > kill
>
> End process.
>
> > note
>
> Suggestions?
>
> > please
> > simply
>
> Replace with nothing.
>
> > tab
>
> Actually think many people might know what tabs are, now Firefox is around. What do you think would be better?
>
> > this section,
>
> This step.
>
> > tick, usage, user, wizard.
>
> Suggestions needed here too.
>
>
> > In addition, for help intended to be read on-screen, I recommend
> > avoiding:
>
> > alternatively
>
>
> Instead?
>
>  > consult
>
> Read / look at.
>
> > first
>
> Replace with nothing.
>
>
> > GNOME
> > GNU, KDE
> > guide, menu,
> > next, welcome.
>
>
> Unsure what you're suggesting we replace these ones with.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Mike
>
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>
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