Questions related to the use of technical language.
0
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0answers
52 views
What should I do when two clauses that must be in parenthesis sit next to each other in my sentence?
I'm writing my thesis dissertation and in the results section I'm showing my results with this sentence:
A small correlation between hit position and time was found for SS2 ($r=-0.143, ...
0
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0answers
43 views
what do you call this symbol @ [duplicate]
do you call it the 'at' symbol or at the rate of or something else? I know the dictionary answer, more interested in the colloquial. Has a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_sign but it just ...
0
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3answers
54 views
“Above” or “later” when referencing a range of versions of software
Which is correct when referencing an operating system version "OS X 10.6.x and later" or "OS X 10.6.x and above"?
Bonus points for providing the why.
0
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0answers
19 views
What is the meaning of the word “Extension” in an USA Phone Number [duplicate]
I found a nice listing in the answer to "Standard format for phone numbers" however it never uses the term Extension verbatim.
The question "What do you call the main telephone number?" does describe ...
1
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1answer
95 views
Correct use of “proof-of-concept” [closed]
In writing a technical paper, I'm wondering about the correct use of proof-of-concept.
In short, the situation is that we have developed an application/tool to show the feasibility of a new approach ...
1
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1answer
63 views
Is there a term for how old films appear to wiggle on screen, if only slightly?
I was watching some of Charlie Chaplin's videos and couldn't help wondering what caused them to look as though the cameraman had unsteady hands. But obviously, it's not the cameraman's fault, ...
0
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1answer
210 views
“Nota Bene” in technical writing
I am currently writing my thesis for a MSc in computer science. In some places I came up with short but crucial explanations or remarks that I wanted to show in a stand-out display to emphasize their ...
1
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4answers
92 views
a computer program does what for the user - Technical writing [closed]
I am writing a technical document and, I have a module called "Pre-policy Module" which is a web application(like, say, facebook).
What could be appropriate to say in a sentence like this:
The ...
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2answers
59 views
What voice should I use when explaining how to program a computer? [closed]
I'm planning on writing a blog about computer programming, and I'm having trouble finding the right voice. I'm looking for something that feels personal and conversational. Third person seems sterile, ...
3
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2answers
89 views
Can I grow some gratitude?
Just curious, normally if a person is not appreciating another person that's helping him, the person can tell him to show some gratitude. But how about "grow some gratitude"? It implies the person has ...
0
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2answers
255 views
What do you call the main telephone number?
I understand that someone's work phone might have an extension. What do you call the main number of that office, which would normally be answered by an operator or a computer voice system?
Would it ...
4
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2answers
152 views
Is “re-enqueue” or “reenqueue” a proper word?
This came up while reviewing a technical document:
The algorithm could re-enqueue the id associated with the job ...
This has generated some discussion as the word does not appear in the ...
-3
votes
1answer
290 views
Technical writing sentence correction/suggestion [closed]
Is the following sentence grammatically correct? What could be an appropriate form to imply the similar meaning in technical writing?
Use one of the following relations depending on whether X is ...
0
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4answers
108 views
Less than or below when comparing to a limit
When I am comparing a numeric value to a numeric limit, as in a maximum value, should I say the value is "below the limit" or "less than the limit"?
Specifically, I am saying, "the maximum ...
2
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4answers
128 views
“To latch in a recess/groove” vs. “to catch in a recess/groove”
Is there a difference in meaning when used in a technical context? For example, does a fork latch in a recess when pressed or does it catch in the recess?
2
votes
2answers
113 views
Should I use a comma in written instructions?
I'm writing a technical user guide for a piece of software and am not sure whether I should be using a comma or not when giving instructions. Which of the following is correct?
To add a new item ...
3
votes
2answers
198 views
Technical terminology for a non-technical audience
In documentation for a non-technical audience, I was asked about usage around the term "regular expression."
My colleague was asking if one of "RegEx", "Regex" or "regex" would be preferable, I ...
1
vote
2answers
103 views
Is “solutioning” a correct word in a technical context? [closed]
I'm a translator from English into Italian language. While translating a British patent I found the following sentence:
The large heat treatment window seen in the ThermoCalc simulation also ...
0
votes
1answer
71 views
Hyphen for re when doing again [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hyphens in verb construction containing prefix such as “re”
Adding a prefix "re" to a word, with or without a hyphen?
I have a doubt about the use of the prefix 're', ...
3
votes
2answers
98 views
Can “installation” be used to mean software installed in a computer?
Can "installation" be used to mean software installed in a computer? (e.g. portable or stand-alone USB installation)
Example sentence: This feature works in my standard installation of the software, ...
1
vote
0answers
214 views
Alternatives for computer programming terms, for better understanding [closed]
There are several words in computer science which seem quite easy to understand, but when you just mix them with their application, they look more and more complex. I have seen many people who are new ...
1
vote
2answers
71 views
Alternative to “accessible”
In the context of a technical manual, engineers use the word "accessible" to indicate that a piece of hardware should have "easy access" for repair, maintenance, and other modifications.
What would ...
0
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1answer
86 views
What do you call the maximum number of recent values used for calculating an average [closed]
A sensor measures some physical quantity (like temperature). The measured value is tapped every 100ms or so. An average is calculated over the x most recently measured values. I.e. with every new ...
8
votes
1answer
98 views
Origin of word “pad” in the mixing/recording industry
I ask this assuming there are enough people with experience with electric instruments, mixers, and other recording equipment to make this relevant.
On any mixer, one of the first buttons that can be ...
5
votes
5answers
228 views
“Plugable” or “pluggable”
When it comes to programming copy edits, there are lots of words that would otherwise be thrown out or replaced.
Hive uses a plugable design.
Should that be plugable or pluggable?
If the ...
2
votes
1answer
124 views
Subject of a commit message (in software engineering) [closed]
Each time I need to write a commit message for a git/svn repository, I wonder what the subject of the sentence should be, whether it should be:
the author of the commit (for example, "I added the ...
4
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2answers
486 views
Usage of “w.r.t.” in academic papers
Is it possible to use the abbreviation "w.r.t." in academic papers?
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2answers
216 views
No quotation mark in a book?
So I just bought this book 'Requiem for a dream' and I just "found out" that there is no quotation mark in the book in a conversation. So it's up to me to tell when the converstation started by who! ...
0
votes
1answer
101 views
Prefixing a two-word technical term with “sub-”
I have the term "verification code" and need a term for a particular code that is part of it. Normally, if the term were only "code", I'd use "subcode". How would I correctly prefix "verification ...
3
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6answers
966 views
How to choose between British and American English for technical documents
I'm not a native English speaker. I'm Italian and I'm doing my thesis in the Netherlands. I have to write technical documents for non-native English speakers, so I didn't receive any advice for ...
19
votes
1answer
440 views
Does this device to restrict access to roads have a generic name?
I'm sure we've all seen these devices which can "lock" and "unlock" vehicle entry and exit to an alley / road /etc.
They consist of one or several hefty steel or concrete "pillars" less than a metre ...
3
votes
2answers
95 views
Reciprocal or converse definitions
I am writing an article where I need to describe an equation like the one below, in reference to two mathematical objects, A and B, that I have already defined in the text.
f = #merge errors + ...
2
votes
2answers
244 views
Noun for for u-shaped bend on electrical component's pin (wire) to aid in placement (Beading / Ribbing / Crimp)?
I'm trying to find the correct noun for a u-shaped bend in an electrical component's pin.
Is there a generic technical term that may usually refer to a deformation to reinforce e.g. an (angle) bracket ...
2
votes
3answers
213 views
How to denote a larger distance
Suppose I have some measurement with interferometer number 1, let's call the result A, and another measurement with interferometer number 2, let's call that one B. Suppose that always A>B (in some ...
5
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7answers
3k views
Is it proper to use the word “bandwidth” as it relates to time allotment?
I'm a web developer and I've often heard other technical and developer types say:
Sorry, I don't have the bandwidth to take on your project at this time.
I started using the term myself and ...
2
votes
3answers
355 views
Term for buzzing or hissing sound often created by vibration
Specifically, I am referring to the hissing, buzzing, S-like, or fuzzy sound that is created when electronic speakers play sounds or music near their volume or frequency limits.
I recall having ...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
“Must Not” or “May Not” - which is the most correct
I work in the IT industry and often read software and standards specifications that start with a section with definitions for certain words used in the document.
Recently I came across the following ...
2
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5answers
1k views
Replacement for ‘at the example of ’
I’m currently searching for the title of my research thesis and I can’t find a good phrase.
I did a “Systematic Analysis of fruit growth” in a generic way and additionally applied the analysis to ...
2
votes
6answers
598 views
Is 'low speed' finally proving its merit?
Technically, you should expect the term low speed, not slow speed (which is obviously illogical).
However, it seems the two phrases co-existed as long as one can look back: with low speed fighting ...
3
votes
1answer
179 views
Isn't Twitter's error message incorrect? [closed]
One of Twitter's error messages reads:
Something is technically wrong.
Of course I understand what they mean, but am I wrong to interpret this as "strictly speaking, there is something wrong" ...
4
votes
4answers
400 views
Synonyms for multiplexing and demultiplexing
I have developed a software mechanism which operates on a certain kind of software entities which are called interfaces. If you want technical details about the mechanism you can read this post on ...
2
votes
3answers
128 views
Is the meaning of “support” in “<product X> supports <feature Y>” commonly understood?
There are numerous examples of the verb support meaning "to be capable of":
IE9 supports HTML5.
The database doesn’t support transactions.
The GPS navigator supports spoken voice directions.
I ...
5
votes
3answers
305 views
Word for “letter or letter-like character”?
Is there a word for a "letter or letter-like character" in a writing system? With that I mean a grapheme that is not a number, punctuation, special symbol or space, but a letter (alphabet), ...
2
votes
1answer
185 views
What is the name for the class of computer programs that act as a front end for a database? [closed]
If you are writing a computer program that manages a large database of clients, like a rolodex, or a program that stores medical records for patients. What is that "class" of program called.
The ...
4
votes
2answers
826 views
Dissecting an English sentence using a pattern?
I am trying to make a script that can dissect an English sentence.
Problem is, I have no idea how to dissect an English when the words are not familiar. I know what the nouns, verbs, etc are, because ...
6
votes
3answers
499 views
Is the proper phrasing “SMS” or “SMS Message”?
I know that "SMS" stands for "Short Messaging Service." But,
The term SMS is used as a synonym for all types of short text messaging as
well as the user activity itself in many parts of the ...
2
votes
3answers
244 views
“Iterate” and “iteration” as nouns
What are the differences between iterate and iteration as nouns?
I don't quite understand the definition of iterate as noun:
A quantity arrived at by iteration
For example, in computer ...
3
votes
2answers
103 views
Blockchain or block chain? Double-spend or doublespend?
On the Bitcoin StackExchange site we have a discussion about a few words that you probably won't find in a dictionary right now but that are technical terms used in Bitcoin or cryptocurrency in ...
6
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1answer
2k views
“Production” vs. “manufacturing”
What are the connotations of production and manufacturing? In what situation would you prefer one over the other?
3
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4answers
407 views
Blood - Bloods - pluralisation
Why is it that the plural of 'blood' is 'blood' in normal usage but 'bloods' (e.g. 'I'll be taking some bloods') is acceptable in a medical context? Are there any words with similar pluralisation ...
