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6

1

I'm having trouble finding and sticking to one word to indicate whatever value the user intends to use with my instructions.

For example:

Select your preferred printer.

I'm wondering what synonyms for "preferred" you would use in such a situation.

Would something more direct like "target" be more fitting? Such as:

Select the target disk.

In short, how do convey to the user that this is the time to enter preferences and not some data that they may have missed earlier?

technical-writing word-choice user-guides documentation

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

Cyn

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asked 8 hours ago

Lazarus LongLazarus Long

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  Welcome to Writing.SE Lazarus. Please check out our tour and help center. We love questions about tech writing here; thanks for joining us.
  
  – Cyn
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

6

1

I'm having trouble finding and sticking to one word to indicate whatever value the user intends to use with my instructions.

For example:

Select your preferred printer.

I'm wondering what synonyms for "preferred" you would use in such a situation.

Would something more direct like "target" be more fitting? Such as:

Select the target disk.

In short, how do convey to the user that this is the time to enter preferences and not some data that they may have missed earlier?

technical-writing word-choice user-guides documentation

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

Cyn

25.4k22 gold badges5656 silver badges116116 bronze badges

asked 8 hours ago

Lazarus LongLazarus Long

3333 bronze badges

New contributor

Lazarus Long is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Welcome to Writing.SE Lazarus. Please check out our tour and help center. We love questions about tech writing here; thanks for joining us.
  
  – Cyn
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

I'm having trouble finding and sticking to one word to indicate whatever value the user intends to use with my instructions.

For example:

Select your preferred printer.

I'm wondering what synonyms for "preferred" you would use in such a situation.

Would something more direct like "target" be more fitting? Such as:

Select the target disk.

In short, how do convey to the user that this is the time to enter preferences and not some data that they may have missed earlier?

technical-writing word-choice user-guides documentation

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

Cyn

25.4k22 gold badges5656 silver badges116116 bronze badges

asked 8 hours ago

Lazarus LongLazarus Long

3333 bronze badges

New contributor

Lazarus Long is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

Cyn

25.4k22 gold badges5656 silver badges116116 bronze badges

asked 8 hours ago

Lazarus LongLazarus Long

3333 bronze badges

New contributor

Lazarus Long is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

edited 8 hours ago

Cyn

25.4k22 gold badges5656 silver badges116116 bronze badges

asked 8 hours ago

Lazarus LongLazarus Long

3333 bronze badges

New contributor

Lazarus Long is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

edited 8 hours ago

Cyn

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edited 8 hours ago

Cyn

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asked 8 hours ago

Lazarus LongLazarus Long

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New contributor

Lazarus Long is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked 8 hours ago

Lazarus LongLazarus Long

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2 Answers
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6

One possibility is to not use the adjective: "Select a printer".

Another is to use the adjective appropriate to the action: Sometimes you mean "Select a disk", sometimes (like for formatting) you mean "Select the target disk", sometimes (for installing an OS) "Select the desired boot disk", etc.

I wouldn't look for just one word. "Preferred" is sometimes valid, if we are talking about generating a report, "From the options presented, click on your preferred settings".

In that case it sounds better than "click on your target settings" or "click on the settings".

But when you are erasing files or a disk, "preferred" sounds wrong, you are taking an action on something and "target" is more appropriate: "Select the target files". Or even make it more explicit, "Select the files to be erased".

Don't feel bound by pointless consistency, your objective is to be clear to the user, you get no points for consistency of word use.

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

AmadeusAmadeus

65.4k77 gold badges8181 silver badges211211 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Basically any answer I'd give is one that Amadeus already covered. A preferred option isn't the same as a target one. Preferred means the default that will come up every time in the future (which you can then change). Target means the one you're going to use right now (which may or may not come up first next time, but won't be the default).
  
  – Cyn
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Besides, if my preferred printer is out of toner and torn apart to have the rollers replaced, I might need to pick a non-preferred printer if I want to get that document on paper in time for the presentation for the C-suite that's scheduled for in 10 minutes...
  
  – a CVn♦
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

2

All instructions writers wrestle with these terms. Just remember that instructions should be absolutely clear, without ambiguity. "Preferred" can be ambiguous. Does a "preferred" printer stay that way? Are you referring to a "preferred" printer, or just a printer to use now?

Select the printer to use (for whatever you are doing).

Avoid "desired" and similar words that imply emotional choices.

"Select the printer to use" is about as clear and concise as you can be. Most importantly, you may have to explain what a "preferred" printer means, because that's the word in the software interface or existing documentation:

"Select a printer from the Preferred Printer list. Documents will be sent to this printer unless it is not available. In that case, documents will be sent to the Secondary Printer."

When graphical user interfaces were new, there were prescribed terms: You select an object, text, or item to be the target of an action. Selection is a "ready" state. Then, you choose a menu command or click a button to apply the command to the selection.

GUIs have evolved, and newer writers don't always observe these distinctions. If you haven't done it, check out the Apple and Microsoft style guides for technical communication.
And this, for all the right names of things in the Windows UI:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/uxguide/text-ui

share|improve this answer

answered 7 hours ago

user8356user8356

37911 silver badge44 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  That is especially helpful, a large amount of the literature I have read seems to reflect when GUIs were new. I should look at the MS guide, I have been mostly following the Apple guide due to our user environment. Thank you!
  
  – Lazarus Long
  6 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

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6

One possibility is to not use the adjective: "Select a printer".

Another is to use the adjective appropriate to the action: Sometimes you mean "Select a disk", sometimes (like for formatting) you mean "Select the target disk", sometimes (for installing an OS) "Select the desired boot disk", etc.

I wouldn't look for just one word. "Preferred" is sometimes valid, if we are talking about generating a report, "From the options presented, click on your preferred settings".

In that case it sounds better than "click on your target settings" or "click on the settings".

But when you are erasing files or a disk, "preferred" sounds wrong, you are taking an action on something and "target" is more appropriate: "Select the target files". Or even make it more explicit, "Select the files to be erased".

Don't feel bound by pointless consistency, your objective is to be clear to the user, you get no points for consistency of word use.

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

AmadeusAmadeus

65.4k77 gold badges8181 silver badges211211 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Basically any answer I'd give is one that Amadeus already covered. A preferred option isn't the same as a target one. Preferred means the default that will come up every time in the future (which you can then change). Target means the one you're going to use right now (which may or may not come up first next time, but won't be the default).
  
  – Cyn
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Besides, if my preferred printer is out of toner and torn apart to have the rollers replaced, I might need to pick a non-preferred printer if I want to get that document on paper in time for the presentation for the C-suite that's scheduled for in 10 minutes...
  
  – a CVn♦
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

6

One possibility is to not use the adjective: "Select a printer".

Another is to use the adjective appropriate to the action: Sometimes you mean "Select a disk", sometimes (like for formatting) you mean "Select the target disk", sometimes (for installing an OS) "Select the desired boot disk", etc.

I wouldn't look for just one word. "Preferred" is sometimes valid, if we are talking about generating a report, "From the options presented, click on your preferred settings".

In that case it sounds better than "click on your target settings" or "click on the settings".

But when you are erasing files or a disk, "preferred" sounds wrong, you are taking an action on something and "target" is more appropriate: "Select the target files". Or even make it more explicit, "Select the files to be erased".

Don't feel bound by pointless consistency, your objective is to be clear to the user, you get no points for consistency of word use.

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

AmadeusAmadeus

65.4k77 gold badges8181 silver badges211211 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Basically any answer I'd give is one that Amadeus already covered. A preferred option isn't the same as a target one. Preferred means the default that will come up every time in the future (which you can then change). Target means the one you're going to use right now (which may or may not come up first next time, but won't be the default).
  
  – Cyn
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Besides, if my preferred printer is out of toner and torn apart to have the rollers replaced, I might need to pick a non-preferred printer if I want to get that document on paper in time for the presentation for the C-suite that's scheduled for in 10 minutes...
  
  – a CVn♦
  8 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

One possibility is to not use the adjective: "Select a printer".

Another is to use the adjective appropriate to the action: Sometimes you mean "Select a disk", sometimes (like for formatting) you mean "Select the target disk", sometimes (for installing an OS) "Select the desired boot disk", etc.

I wouldn't look for just one word. "Preferred" is sometimes valid, if we are talking about generating a report, "From the options presented, click on your preferred settings".

In that case it sounds better than "click on your target settings" or "click on the settings".

But when you are erasing files or a disk, "preferred" sounds wrong, you are taking an action on something and "target" is more appropriate: "Select the target files". Or even make it more explicit, "Select the files to be erased".

Don't feel bound by pointless consistency, your objective is to be clear to the user, you get no points for consistency of word use.

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

AmadeusAmadeus

65.4k77 gold badges8181 silver badges211211 bronze badges

share|improve this answer

answered 8 hours ago

AmadeusAmadeus

65.4k77 gold badges8181 silver badges211211 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

AmadeusAmadeus

65.4k77 gold badges8181 silver badges211211 bronze badges

answered 8 hours ago

AmadeusAmadeus

65.4k77 gold badges8181 silver badges211211 bronze badges

2

All instructions writers wrestle with these terms. Just remember that instructions should be absolutely clear, without ambiguity. "Preferred" can be ambiguous. Does a "preferred" printer stay that way? Are you referring to a "preferred" printer, or just a printer to use now?

Select the printer to use (for whatever you are doing).

Avoid "desired" and similar words that imply emotional choices.

"Select the printer to use" is about as clear and concise as you can be. Most importantly, you may have to explain what a "preferred" printer means, because that's the word in the software interface or existing documentation:

"Select a printer from the Preferred Printer list. Documents will be sent to this printer unless it is not available. In that case, documents will be sent to the Secondary Printer."

When graphical user interfaces were new, there were prescribed terms: You select an object, text, or item to be the target of an action. Selection is a "ready" state. Then, you choose a menu command or click a button to apply the command to the selection.

GUIs have evolved, and newer writers don't always observe these distinctions. If you haven't done it, check out the Apple and Microsoft style guides for technical communication.
And this, for all the right names of things in the Windows UI:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/uxguide/text-ui

share|improve this answer

answered 7 hours ago

user8356user8356

37911 silver badge44 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  That is especially helpful, a large amount of the literature I have read seems to reflect when GUIs were new. I should look at the MS guide, I have been mostly following the Apple guide due to our user environment. Thank you!
  
  – Lazarus Long
  6 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

2

All instructions writers wrestle with these terms. Just remember that instructions should be absolutely clear, without ambiguity. "Preferred" can be ambiguous. Does a "preferred" printer stay that way? Are you referring to a "preferred" printer, or just a printer to use now?

Select the printer to use (for whatever you are doing).

Avoid "desired" and similar words that imply emotional choices.

"Select the printer to use" is about as clear and concise as you can be. Most importantly, you may have to explain what a "preferred" printer means, because that's the word in the software interface or existing documentation:

"Select a printer from the Preferred Printer list. Documents will be sent to this printer unless it is not available. In that case, documents will be sent to the Secondary Printer."

When graphical user interfaces were new, there were prescribed terms: You select an object, text, or item to be the target of an action. Selection is a "ready" state. Then, you choose a menu command or click a button to apply the command to the selection.

GUIs have evolved, and newer writers don't always observe these distinctions. If you haven't done it, check out the Apple and Microsoft style guides for technical communication.
And this, for all the right names of things in the Windows UI:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/uxguide/text-ui

share|improve this answer

answered 7 hours ago

user8356user8356

37911 silver badge44 bronze badges

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  That is especially helpful, a large amount of the literature I have read seems to reflect when GUIs were new. I should look at the MS guide, I have been mostly following the Apple guide due to our user environment. Thank you!
  
  – Lazarus Long
  6 hours ago
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

All instructions writers wrestle with these terms. Just remember that instructions should be absolutely clear, without ambiguity. "Preferred" can be ambiguous. Does a "preferred" printer stay that way? Are you referring to a "preferred" printer, or just a printer to use now?

Select the printer to use (for whatever you are doing).

Avoid "desired" and similar words that imply emotional choices.

"Select the printer to use" is about as clear and concise as you can be. Most importantly, you may have to explain what a "preferred" printer means, because that's the word in the software interface or existing documentation:

"Select a printer from the Preferred Printer list. Documents will be sent to this printer unless it is not available. In that case, documents will be sent to the Secondary Printer."

When graphical user interfaces were new, there were prescribed terms: You select an object, text, or item to be the target of an action. Selection is a "ready" state. Then, you choose a menu command or click a button to apply the command to the selection.

GUIs have evolved, and newer writers don't always observe these distinctions. If you haven't done it, check out the Apple and Microsoft style guides for technical communication.
And this, for all the right names of things in the Windows UI:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/uxguide/text-ui

share|improve this answer

answered 7 hours ago

user8356user8356

37911 silver badge44 bronze badges

share|improve this answer

answered 7 hours ago

user8356user8356

37911 silver badge44 bronze badges

answered 7 hours ago

user8356user8356

37911 silver badge44 bronze badges

answered 7 hours ago

user8356user8356

37911 silver badge44 bronze badges