On the other hand, why is it that computer programs must be seen to be terse/rude?
There is no reason why a computer generated request cannot be perceived as, at least, courteous. "Please wait" is not a difficult thing to understand and is better for the user to read than a terse "wait". It is not relevant that it may not be translatable into other languages. Users will be reading it in English, the language it is written in. Alan On 30/06/2009, at 1:26 AM, Thomas Scalise wrote: > Verner, > > I write in Controlled English for translation. I would write: Wait > while > the program updates the results. > > Thus, you avoid the "Please" and the gerund (updating), the first of > which is unnecessary and the second of which may not be translatable > in > many languages. Simple, direct, active voice statements are best. > Words > like carefully, slowly, etc., are also invitations to interpretation > by > the reader, which may not be the result you want. > > HTH. > > Tom > -----Original Message----- > From: Andersen, Verner Engell VEA [mailto:verner.andersen at radiometer.dk > ] > > Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 4:31 AM > To: framers at lists.frameusers.com > Subject: OT: Use of "please" in technical documentation and messages > on > screen > > Hi > Once I learned that you shouln't use the word "please" in technical > documentation - that it was like asking the reader to do you favor. > > Does this still hold true? Is it OK to have this message displayed on > the screen of our user interface? > > "We are updating the result list, please wait" > > Best regards, > > Verner > -------------------------------------------------------- > > > > Radiometer Medical ApS > Akandevej 21 > 2700 Bronshoj > Denmark > Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 > CVR: 27 50 91 85 > > -------------------------------------------------------- > > Please be advised that this email may contain confidential > information. > If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy or > re-transmit this email. If you have received this email in error, > please notify us by email by replying to the sender and by telephone > (call us collect at +1 202-828-0850) and delete this message and any > attachments. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and > assistance. > > In addition, Danaher and its subsidiaries disclaim that the content of > this email constitutes an offer to enter into, or the acceptance of, > any > contract or agreement or any amendment thereto; provided that the > foregoing disclaimer does not invalidate the binding effect of any > digital or other electronic reproduction of a manual signature that is > included in any attachment to this email. > > > This e-mail message from Cross Match Technologies, Inc. is intended > only for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. > This e-mail may contain information that is privileged, confidential > and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. > If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that > any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is > strictly prohibited. > If you received this e-mail by accident, please notify the sender > immediately and destroy this e-mail and all copies of it. > > _______________________________________________ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as alan at alphabyte.co.nz. > > 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/alan%40alphabyte.co.nz > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. -- Alan Litchfield MBus (Hons), MNZCS AlphaByte PO Box 1941, Auckland http://www.alphabyte.co.nz