Questions related to the use of technical language.
2
votes
4answers
153 views
Use of “permission” in technical writing
In a request for proposal (RFP) I am attempting to edit the following sentence-fragment which isn't grammatically correct:
"...except for staff permissioned to update..."
My problem is with the ...
-5
votes
0answers
40 views
Are all words nouns? [closed]
A noun is a 'name' assigned to a particular person, place or a thing. Does that make every word a noun, since each word, be it a verb, adjective or anything else is also a 'name' for that idea? For ...
7
votes
3answers
211 views
Morally speaking, 1+1=2
I asked a question over on math.SE and as part of an exchange someone said:
Morally the function is csc φ in the limit for the reason you mention.
...a pretty funny thing to say. I asked them ...
0
votes
3answers
62 views
Is there a language or subset of English for technical writing
I read a lot of technical documentation, especially in the computer programming space. Today I was reading the following paragraph:
Any type that implements a Read (or Write) method with this ...
13
votes
4answers
4k views
Why is the term “depressed” often used to describe a button which is pressed?
In several books that mention GUI, keyboard, or mouse buttons (e.g. the book Programming Windows by Charles Petzold), the authors refer to the state of a pressed button as depressed. Why is this term ...
5
votes
5answers
238 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
4answers
500 views
What is the shortest term to refer to people whose mother tongue is English?
What is the shortest term to refer to representatives of peoples and cultures whose mother tongue is English?
Mothertonguers?
Update:
Can't I call them joe?
0
votes
0answers
69 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, ...
5
votes
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 ...
0
votes
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
votes
3answers
59 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.
39
votes
7answers
2k views
Is there a difference between “disc” and “disk” for naming digital storage media?
I thought that a disc was a disc, and it is sometimes spelled disk. I now have got an indication that those two are not the same thing.
In this answer on Graphic DesignBeta, I wrote floppy disc in ...
0
votes
2answers
317 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 ...
0
votes
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
vote
1answer
111 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
480 views
Pronunciation of GUI in British English
I've heard a lot of Americans pronounce abbreviations like GUI as goo-ey. Is this the same with British English, or is it more common to spell out the word, like gee-you-eye?
1
vote
1answer
64 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
votes
1answer
274 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
vote
4answers
93 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
60 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
votes
2answers
90 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 ...
12
votes
2answers
301 views
What is the technical term for the area within a fort?
I would like to know what is the name of the area within a trace italienne fortification, i.e. item 38 in the image here below (which unfortunately was omitted in Wikipedia):
4
votes
2answers
165 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
302 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
votes
4answers
123 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 ...
3
votes
5answers
340 views
What’s the etymology of the word “unstable”, in the context of software?
Approximately when in the history of computing did unstable come to be commonly used to refer to computer software? Can this time in history be linked to the release of a certain product (no jokes ...
2
votes
4answers
140 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
123 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
206 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 ...
3
votes
6answers
1k 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
“On which” or “upon which”
Today, I am writing technical documentation that instructs the user how to install software to a server. I encountered the following sentence and am unsure which is correct:
When installing to a ...
1
vote
2answers
108 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
74 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
103 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
220 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
101 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 ...
2
votes
6answers
607 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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
5answers
2k 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
87 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
314 views
What do you call who writes comments? Commenter or commentator?
What should I call a person writing/adding comments (by pressing "add comment" link)? Commenter or commentator?
From a deleted answer, I understand that there are commentators (like those ...
2
votes
3answers
130 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
125 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
votes
2answers
562 views
Usage of “w.r.t.” in academic papers
Is it possible to use the abbreviation "w.r.t." in academic papers?
3
votes
2answers
198 views
Jig or template to hold a workpiece
Technical English for a foreigner - please correct and rephrase if you can come up with better alternatives.
A machine in manufacturing usually is fed material or a workpiece to be processed. ...
-1
votes
2answers
223 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
103 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 ...
19
votes
1answer
443 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
98 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 + ...
6
votes
6answers
2k views
Why “line of business” applications?
In software, why do we talk about line-of-business applications (sometimes abbreviated to LOB)? Why not just business applications?
So it's useful to distinguish between general software (like email ...
