Do not anthropomorphize. Do not imply that programs or hardware can think or feel. For example, avoid a message such as the following:Code: [Select][node name] node does not speak any of our protocols
Instead, write a message such as:Code: [Select]Node [node name] cannot use Windows NT protocols
Use full sentences. For example, use "Binding is too long" instead of "Binding too long."
Place a searchable word at the start of each message. Avoid starting a message with an article. (the, a, or an). Never put a placeholder variable, such as %1 or %2, at the beginning of a message, since this makes it very difficult for a user to look up the message in our Help File. Instead, write the message so that a searchable word is at the beginning and the placeholder is embedded in the message. For example:Code: [Select]Log file %1 is full.
NOT: %1 log file is full.
Users almost always prefer simple sentences that use simple present or past tense and active voice. For example:Code: [Select]Registry Editor cannot create the subkey.
NOT: ...could not create...Code: [Select]Setup cannot start Program Manager.
NOT: Setup was unable to activate Program Manager.
Event logging in Microsoft Windows NT provides a standard, centralized way for applications and the operating system to record important software and hardware events. It also provides a standard user interface for viewing the logs and a programming interface for examining the logs. Event logging provides a means to merge events from various sources into a single informative story.
Do Use the Following Good Words
click
Do not use click on.
disk
Do not use diskette.
hard disk, or hard disk drive
Do not use hard drive, internal drive, fixed drive, or hard disk system.
MS-DOS
Do not use just DOS.
quit
You quit a program (not close, end, exit, leave, stop, or terminate).
Registry
Registry always has a capital "R".
stop
You stop a hardware program. For example, you "stop a print job."
Unless it actually IS warning you about slow children in the street..... the odds for such a things are very small because children are always runing instead of walking :)