Looking for a technique for applying conditionals

[Combs, Richard]

John Posada wrote: 
 
> My issue: I have some instances where they are listed in a 
> bullet list, which makes it easy to apply the conditionals as 
> I need them.
> However, some instances use OS specific references in a sentence.
> Following is an example of one.
> 
> -------------
>     This utility collects version information and saves
>     the /conf, /local, /rules, and /setup directories to 
>     a .tar file (UNIX) or a .zip file (Windows).
> -------------
> 
> I'm looking for a way to apply conditionals so that when 
> applied, the sentence becomes:
> 
> -------------
>    This utility collects version information and saves
>    the /conf, /local, /rules, and /setup directories to 
>    a .tar file (UNIX).
> 
> and 
> 
>    This utility collects version information and saves
>    the /conf, /local, /rules, and /setup directories to 
>    a .zip file (Windows).
> ---------------
> 
> The tricky part is the word "or". When both OSs are used, the 'or"
> has its place. However, when either OS is used to the 
> exclusion of the other, the "or" should be removed.

My advice: Use three conditions, Win, Unix, and Both, and three
_complete_ paragraphs, one for each condition. Applying conditions to a
word here and there is just asking for trouble -- extra spaces or spaces
missing, etc. 

Conditionalize at the pgf level (or at least, at the sentence level).
Even though you end up repeating some of each pgf 3 times, it's much
cleaner, easier to maintain, and less error-prone. 

"It's my opinion and it's very true." ;-) 

Richard


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Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
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rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
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