- Microsoft® Manual of Style, Fourth Edition
- Foreword
- Introduction to the Fourth Edition
- 1. General Topics
- 1. Microsoft style and voice
- 2. Content for the web
- 3. Content for a worldwide audience
- Global English syntax
- Machine translation syntax
- Terminology and word choice
- Technical terms
- Jargon
- Latin and other non-English words
- Global art
- Examples and scenarios
- International currency
- Time and place
- Names and contact information
- Fonts
- Web, software, and HTML issues
- Legal issues with worldwide content
- Additional globalization resources
- 4. Accessible content
- 5. The user interface
- Windows user interface
- Windows Phone user interface
- User interface elements
- Ribbons, menus, and toolbars
- Webpage controls, dialog boxes, and property sheets
- Backstage view
- Control Panel
- Messages
- Other user interface elements
- Modes of interaction
- Mouse terminology
- Key names
- Content for multiple platforms
- User interface text
- User interface formatting
- 6. Procedures and technical content
- Procedures
- How to format procedures
- How to write procedure steps
- Right angle brackets for menu items
- Document conventions in procedures
- Mouse procedures
- Keyboard procedures
- Pen-computing procedures
- Touch procedures
- Sensor procedures
- Joystick procedures
- Multiple input methods and branching within procedures
- Supplementary information and text within procedures
- Document conventions
- Cloud computing style
- Reference documentation
- Code examples
- Security
- Command syntax
- File names and extensions
- Version identifiers
- General guidelines
- Out-of-band release terminology
- Protocols
- XML tag, element, and attribute formatting
- HTML tag, element, and attribute formatting
- Readme files and release notes
- Procedures
- 7. Practical issues of style
- Capitalization
- Titles and headings
- Microsoft in product and service names
- Lists
- Tables
- Cross-references
- Notes and tips
- Numbers
- Dates
- Phone numbers
- Time zones
- Measurements and units of measure
- URLs, addresses
- Names of special characters
- Art, captions, and callouts
- Bibliographies and citations
- Page layout
- 8. Grammar
- 9. Punctuation
- 10. Indexes and keywords
- 11. Acronyms and Other Abbreviations
- 2. Usage Dictionary
- A. Usage Dictionary
- Numbers and symbols
- A
- A.M., P.M.
- -able, -ible
- abort
- above
- accelerator key
- access
- access key
- access privileges
- access rights
- accessible
- accessory
- accounts receivable
- achievement
- acknowledgment
- action bar
- action button
- actionable
- activate
- active player, active user
- active vs. current
- ad hoc
- adapter
- add
- add-in, add-on
- adjacent selection
- administer
- administrator
- Administrator program
- affect vs. effect
- afterward
- against
- alarm
- album
- alert
- align, aligned on
- allow
- alpha
- alphabetical
- alphanumeric
- alt text
- among vs. between
- ampersand (&)
- and so on
- and/or
- antialiasing
- antimalware
- antispyware
- antivirus
- app
- appears, displays
- appendix, appendices
- applet
- application
- application developer
- application file
- application icon
- application window
- arabic numerals
- argument vs. parameter
- arrow
- arrow keys
- arrow pointer
- article
- as
- as well as
- assembly language
- assistive
- asterisk (*)
- at sign (@)
- attribute
- audiobook
- audit trail
- author
- auto-
- B
- back end
- back up, backup
- backbone
- backlight
- backspace
- backtab
- backward
- badge
- base line vs. baseline
- baud
- because vs. since
- beep
- below
- beta
- bi-
- big-endian, little-endian
- bio
- bitmap
- bitmask
- bitplane
- bits per second
- bitwise
- black box
- black hole
- blacklist
- blank
- blog, weblog
- blue screen, bluescreen
- board
- bold
- bookmark
- Boolean
- boot
- bootable disk
- bot
- bottom left, bottom right
- bounding outline
- box
- bps
- breakpoint
- Briefcase
- broadcast
- browse
- browse vs. find
- browser
- bug
- bug fix
- build
- bulleted
- burn
- button
- C
- C, C++, C#
- cable
- cabling
- cache vs. disk cache
- calendar
- call back, callback
- call out, callout
- caller ID
- can vs. may
- Cancel button
- cancel the selection
- canceled, canceling
- card
- carriage return/line feed
- carry out vs. run
- cascading menu
- cascading style sheets
- catalog
- category axis
- caution
- CBT
- CD
- CD case
- CD key
- cellular
- center around
- chapter
- character set
- chart
- chat
- check
- check box
- check in
- check mark
- checked command
- child folder
- choose
- clear
- click
- clickstream
- clickthrough
- client
- client side
- client/server
- clip art
- Clipboard
- close
- Close button
- cloud
- co-
- code page
- code point
- codec
- collaborate, collaboration, collaborator
- color map
- column format
- COM
- combo box
- command
- command button
- command line
- command prompt
- communications port
- compact disc
- CompactFlash
- compare to vs. compare with
- compile
- comprise
- computer
- Computer icon
- connect
- console
- context menu
- context-sensitive
- contiguous selection
- control
- control-menu box
- copy
- corrupted
- country/region
- crash
- criteria
- critical process monitor
- critical section object
- critical update
- current drive
- current folder
- current window
- cursor
- cut
- cut-and-paste
- D
- data
- data binding
- data center vs. datacenter
- data modem
- data record
- database
- datagram
- datum
- deaf or hard of hearing
- debug
- deceptive software
- decrement
- default
- definition update
- defragment
- deinstall
- delete
- demilitarized zone
- deprecated
- depress
- deselect
- Designer
- desire
- desktop
- destination
- destination disk, destination drive, destination file
- device
- device driver
- dezoom
- dialog
- dialog box
- dial-up
- different
- dimmed
- direction keys
- directory
- directory icon
- disable
- disabled
- disc
- discreet vs. discrete
- disjoint selection
- disk
- disk resource
- disk space
- diskette
- display
- display adapter, display driver
- DNS
- document
- domain
- done
- DOS
- dot-com
- dotted rectangle
- double buffering
- double word
- double-click, double-clicking
- downgrade
- downlevel
- download
- drag
- drag-and-drop
- drive
- drive name
- drop-down
- DVD
- dynamic-link library
- dynamic service capacity
- E
- e.g.
- earlier
- e-book
- e-commerce
- edit
- Editor
- edutainment
- e-form
- either/or
- elastic service capacity
- e-learning
- ellipsis button
- embed
- enable, enabled
- end
- end user, end-user
- End-User License Agreement
- endline
- endpoint
- ensure
- enter
- enterprise
- entry
- entry field
- environment variable
- erase
- et al.
- etc.
- EULA
- euro
- e-words
- executable file
- execute
- exit
- expand, collapse
- expose
- extend
- extension, file name extension
- e-zine, webzine
- F
- facsimile
- fail
- FALSE
- family
- Far East
- far-left, far-right
- fast key
- favorite
- fax
- feature pack
- field
- Figure
- file
- file attributes
- file extension
- file name
- file name extension, extension
- finalize
- find and replace
- finished
- firewall
- fixed disk
- flick
- flush
- flush to
- folder
- folder icon
- following
- font and font style
- foobar, fubar
- footer
- foreground program
- format, formatted, formatting
- Fortran
- fourth-generation language
- frameset
- friendly name
- from
- from vs. than
- front end, front-end
- full file replacement
- function
- G
- G, G byte, Gbyte
- gallery
- game pad
- Gantt chart
- garbage collection
- gateway
- GB
- Gbit
- general protection fault
- GHz
- gigabit
- gigabyte
- gigahertz
- given
- global
- glyph
- GP fault
- graphic, graphical, graphics
- graphics adapter
- gray, grayed
- graylist
- grayscale
- greater, better
- gridline
- group, newsgroup
- group box
- groupware
- grow
- H
- hack, hacker
- half inch
- handheld computer
- handle
- handshake
- hang
- hard copy
- hard disk
- hard-coded
- hard-of-hearing
- hardware
- hardwired
- he/she
- header
- heading
- hearing-impaired
- Help
- hexadecimal
- hierarchical menu
- higher
- high-level-language compiler
- high-quality
- high-resolution
- highlight
- hint
- hi-res
- hit
- home directory
- home page
- honeypot
- host name
- hosted service
- hosting provider
- hot key
- hot link
- hot spot, hotspot
- hotfix
- hover over
- how-to vs. how to
- HTML
- HTTP
- Hub
- hybrid cloud
- hyperlink
- I
- i.e.
- IA-32-based
- IA-64-based
- I-beam
- icon
- iconize
- if vs. when vs. whether
- illegal
- image map
- imbed
- impact
- in, into
- in order to
- inactive, inactive state
- inbound
- incent
- incoming, outgoing
- increment
- indent, indentation
- indenting, outdenting
- independent content provider
- index, indexes
- infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
- initialize
- initiate
- inline
- input
- input device
- input/output
- input/output control
- insecure
- insertion point
- inside
- install
- instant message, IM
- instantiate
- insure
- Intel-based
- interface
- Internet, intranet, extranet
- Internet Connection Sharing
- Internet Explorer
- Internet service provider
- Interrupt
- invalid, not valid
- inverse video
- invoke
- IP address
- issue
- IT as a service (ITaaS)
- IT pro
- italic
- Itanium-based
- its vs. it’s
- J
- K
- L
- label, labeled, labeling
- landscape orientation
- laptop
- later
- launch
- lay out, laid out, layout
- leave
- left
- left align, left-aligned
- left mouse button
- left-hand
- left-justified
- leftmost
- legacy
- legal
- less vs. fewer vs. under
- let, lets
- leverage
- license terms
- life cycle
- like
- -like
- line
- line feed
- link
- linking and embedding
- list box
- load
- localhost
- lock
- lock up
- log on, log off, logon, logoff
- look at
- look up
- lo-res
- lower
- lower left, lower right
- lowercase
- low-resolution
- M
- M, M byte, Mbyte
- Mac, Macintosh
- machine
- machine language
- Macro Assembler
- main document
- makefile
- malicious code
- malicious user
- malware, malicious software
- management information systems
- manipulate
- manual
- marquee
- master/slave
- master/subordinate
- mathematical
- matrix, matrices
- maximize
- Maximize button
- MB
- measured service
- medium, media
- meg
- megabit
- megabits per second
- megabyte
- megahertz
- member function
- memory
- memory models
- memory-resident
- menu item
- message (email)
- message box
- metadata
- metafile
- MHz
- mice
- micro-
- microprocessor
- Microsoft
- Microsoft Software License Terms
- Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
- midnight
- minimize
- Minimize button
- minus sign (–)
- MIP mapping
- mission critical, mission-critical
- mobile device
- mobile phone
- monitor
- monospace
- more than vs. over
- mouse over
- movable
- movement keys
- MPEG
- MS-DOS
- MS-DOS prompt
- MS-DOS-based program
- multi-
- multiple selection
- multiplication sign (x)
- multitasking
- multithreaded
- N
- n
- namespace
- nanosecond
- native language
- natural user interface, NUI
- navigate
- need
- Net
- .NET
- netbook
- network
- network adapter
- network administrator
- network connection
- network drive
- new line, newline
- non-
- nonadjacent selection
- noncontiguous selection
- nonprintable, nonprinting
- non-Windows application, non-Windows-based
- normal, normally
- notebook
- notification area
- NT
- NUL, null, NULL, Null
- null-terminated, null-terminating
- number sign (#)
- numeric
- O
- object
- Object Linking and Embedding
- obsolete
- of
- offline
- off-premises, on-premises
- okay, OK
- on
- on the fly
- on/off switch
- once
- online
- online Help
- on-screen
- on-screen keyboard
- onto, on to
- opcode
- open
- operating environment, operating system
- option, option button
- outdent
- output
- outside
- over
- overtype
- overwrite
- P
- page
- palette
- pan
- pane
- panorama
- parameter
- parent/child
- parenthesis, parentheses
- patch
- patch management
- patching
- path
- PC
- PC Card vs. PCMCIA
- p-code
- pen
- per
- percent, percentage
- perimeter network
- peripheral
- permissions
- phone
- photo
- pin
- pinch
- ping, PING
- pipe
- pixel
- placeholder
- plaintext vs. plain text
- platform
- platform as a service (PaaS)
- playlist
- Plug and Play
- plug-in
- point to
- pointer
- pointing device
- pop-up
- port
- portable computer
- portrait orientation
- post office vs. postoffice
- pound key, pound sign (#)
- power cord
- power down, power up, power off, power on
- power user
- pre-
- preceding
- Preface
- press
- Press (Microsoft Press)
- print, printout
- print queue
- private cloud, hosted private cloud
- privileges
- product ID
- product key
- program file
- program vs. application
- progress indicator
- prohibition sign
- prompt
- prop
- properties
- property sheet, property page
- protected mode
- public cloud
- pull quote
- pull-down
- purge
- push button, push-button
- push-to-talk
- Q
- R
- radio button
- ragged right
- RAM
- range selection
- re-
- read/write
- read/write permission
- read-only
- real-time, real time
- reboot
- recommend
- Recycle Bin
- refresh
- registry, registry settings
- reinitialize
- release notes
- REM statement
- remote
- remove
- replace
- restore
- Restore button
- restore (SQL Server)
- right
- right align, right-aligned
- right mouse button
- right-click
- right-hand
- rightmost
- rights
- rip
- ROM
- root directory
- RTFM
- running foot, running head
- run time, runtime, run-time
- run vs. execute
- runs vs. runs on
- S
- (s), (es)
- sample vs. preview
- save
- scale up
- scan line
- screen
- screen resolution
- screened subnet
- ScreenTip
- script, scripting language
- scriptlet
- scroll
- scroll arrow, scroll bar, scroll box
- search, search and replace
- secondary menu
- security patch
- security update
- select
- selection cursor
- service-oriented architecture
- service pack
- set up, setup, Setup
- set vs. specify
- setting
- set-top box
- shaded
- shell
- ship
- shortcut
- shortcut key
- shortcut menu
- should vs. must
- shut down, shutdown, Shut Down
- sign in, sign out, sign on, sign up
- simply
- site
- site map
- size
- slate
- slider
- small caps
- smart card, Smart Card
- smartphone
- snap-in
- soft copy
- software as a service (SaaS)
- software-plus-services
- software update
- sound card
- spam
- specification
- speed key
- spelling checker
- spider
- spin box
- split bar
- split box
- spoofing
- spreadsheet
- spyware
- SQL
- SQL Server
- stand-alone
- start, Start (the menu)
- start page
- startup, start up
- status bar
- stop
- storage, storage device
- stream, streaming
- stretch
- strike
- strikethrough
- struct
- style sheet
- sub-
- subaddress
- subclass
- submenu
- Super VGA, SVGA
- surf
- swipe
- switch
- symbol
- sync
- sysop
- system
- system administrator
- system prompt
- system software
- system tray
- T
- tab
- table of contents
- tablet, tablet PC
- Taiwan
- tap
- target disk, target drive, target file
- taskbar
- TB
- telnet, Telnet
- terabyte
- terminal
- terminate
- text box
- that vs. which
- then
- thread
- three-dimensional, 3-D
- Tile, Live Tile
- time bomb, timebomb
- time stamp
- time-out, time out
- title bar
- titled vs. entitled
- toggle
- tone
- tool
- toolbox
- toolkit
- tooltip
- top left, top right
- topic
- toward
- trailing
- trojan horse, trojan
- TRUE
- turn
- turn on, turn off
- turnkey
- tutorial
- two-dimensional, 2-D
- type vs. enter
- U
- U.K.
- U.S.
- un-
- unavailable
- UNC
- uncheck, unmark, unselect
- undelete
- underline, underscore
- undo
- uninstall
- unprintable
- unregister
- unwanted software
- update
- update rollup
- upgrade
- UPnP
- upper left, upper right
- uppercase
- uppercase and lowercase
- upsize
- upward
- usable
- use terms
- Usenet
- user name
- user rights
- using vs. by using
- using vs. with
- utility
- utilize
- V
- W
- W3C
- want
- we
- web
- Web Apps
- How to refer to the Web Apps
- Version numbers
- Use of an article
- webpage
- website
- weblication
- where
- while
- whitelist
- white paper
- white space, white-space
- who vs. that
- Wi-Fi
- wildcard character
- window
- Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
- Windows 7
- Windows Events
- Windows Explorer
- Windows Installer
- Windows NT Server, Windows NT Workstation
- Windows Vista
- Windows, Windows-based
- Winsock
- wireframe
- want
- wizard
- word processing
- wordwrap, wordwrapping
- work area
- workgroup
- working memory
- worksheet
- workspace
- workstation
- World Wide Web
- write-only
- write-protect, write-protected
- WWW
- X
- Y
- Z
- A. Usage Dictionary
- Index
- About the Author
- Copyright
Voice refers to the relationship between the grammatical subject of a sentence and the verb. In active voice, the person or thing performing the action of the verb is the grammatical subject. In passive voice, the receiver of the action is the grammatical subject.
In general, active voice should predominate. Passive voice is not a grammatical error, but it has the greatest impact when you use it sparingly.
Passive voice can be a problem for localization. Some languages use passive voice rarely, if at all, so the translation can end up sounding stilted or unnatural.
It is all right to use passive voice in the following situations:
To avoid a wordy or awkward construction.
When the subject is unknown or the emphasis is on the receiver of the action.
If casting the user as the subject might sound blaming or condescending, especially in error messages and troubleshooting content.
Passive voice is more common and acceptable in programmer documentation, but active voice should still predominate.
Microsoft style (active voice)
You can divide your documents into as many sections as you want.
Data hiding provides a number of benefits.
Windows 7 includes many multimedia features.
Microsoft style (acceptable use of passive voice)
The website cannot be found. Verify that the page address is spelled correctly in the Address bar.
When the user clicks OK, the transaction is committed. (In content for software developers.)
Not Microsoft style (unnecessary passive voice)
Your document can be divided into as many sections as you want.
A number of benefits are provided by data hiding.
Many multimedia features are included in Windows 7.
Use active voice for column headings in tables that list user actions.
Microsoft style
For more information, see Tables (Chapter 7), Verbs and verb forms.
-
No Comment
..................Content has been hidden....................
You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.