Why do British Tech Writers pontificate

[Flato, Gillian]

They didn't have Tech Writers back then. Not applicable.

Thank you,
 
 
Gillian Flato
Technical Writer (Software)
nanometrics
1550 Buckeye Dr. 
Milpitas, CA. 95035
(408.545.6316
7  408.232.5911
* gflato at nanometrics.com
 

-----Original Message-----
From: David Spreadbury [mailto:dspreadb at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 8:21 PM
To: Flato, Gillian; 'John Sgammato'; framers at frameusers.com
Subject: RE: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate

Did I hear someone say "Willie Strunk?"

David Spreadbury
Sr. Technical Writer


-----Original Message-----
From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Flato,
Gillian
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 10:18 PM
To: John Sgammato; framers at frameusers.com
Subject: RE: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate

I can say with authority that they majority of our customers are Asian
and they translate our manuals so we must always write with the plan
that our manuals will be translated. That means, as few words as
possible, because more words means more money.

Also, it's not like any of their extra words add anything to the
content. They are just garbage phrases like, "if you wish." That adds no
meaning or usefulness to the manual.

Thank you,
 
 
Gillian Flato
Technical Writer (Software)
nanometrics
1550 Buckeye Dr. 
Milpitas, CA. 95035
(408.545.6316
7  408.232.5911
* gflato at nanometrics.com
 

-----Original Message-----
From: John Sgammato [mailto:jsgammato at IMPRIVATA.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 8:13 PM
To: Flato, Gillian; framers at frameusers.com
Subject: RE: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate

If the manual is for a British audience, I'd be careful about changing
the tone too much - you may offend someone with your abruptness!
Fortunately we have some authentic British writers on this list who may
be able to say if such language is considered normal for that audience. 
I'd love to know, because my docs are read by British customers...
john

________________________________

From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com on behalf of Flato, Gillian
Sent: Thu 8/27/2009 11:09 PM
To: framers at frameusers.com
Subject: Why do British Tech Writers pontificate



We are going through the grueling task of editing some manuals written
by British Tech writers. It's quite painful. Why, oh why, do British
Tech Writers pontificate so much? Do they know the definition of the
word concise? Do they just like to hear themselves talk?



Additionally, are they paid by the freakin' word? I have never seen such
excessive use of as many words as possible. It's ridiculous. Didn't
anyone ever tell them that when you translate a manual you actually do
pay by the word so being concise is actually important!



Part of that old British politeness comes through. They are so scared of
offending anyone that they are afraid of giving an imperative in a
manual. It's full of, "if you wish" "if you would like" "if you would be
so kind as to" "if it's not to much trouble than" Give me a freakin'
break. Tell the User what to do to accomplish the task and stop
pontificating. It's not about you!



<Thanks for letting me rant. I am tired of this manual. It's due
tomorrow and I am behind schedule.>



Thank you,





Gillian Flato

Technical Writer (Software)

nanometrics

1550 Buckeye Dr.

Milpitas, CA. 95035

*408.545.6316

7  408.232.5911

* gflato at nanometrics.com <mailto:gflato at nanometrics.com>



_______________________________________________


You are currently subscribed to Framers as jsgammato at imprivata.com.

Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com.

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com
or visit
http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/jsgammato%40imprivat
a.com

Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit
http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.


_______________________________________________


You are currently subscribed to Framers as dspreadb at yahoo.com.

Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com.

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com
or visit
http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/dspreadb%40yahoo.com

Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit
http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.