You are trying to apply a conditional tag in FrameMaker and need help with that feature.

When you open the book or go to the online help, you see something like this:

“Using the Condition Tag is really a piece of cake. Choose Condition Text from the Special menu: not surprisingly, the Condition Text dialog pops up. You guessed it right – this is indeed the dialog which you use to ‘condition’ your text (no pun intended).”

Now there are 2 – 4 positions you could take with regard to the above style of writing:

1. I would never want to write in that style, and if I see it in a manual, I would return the software and ask for a refund. “Come on, who wants to get chatty with a manual?”
2. Though I would never use that style, I don’t mind it if someone tries to brighten up the manuals by using a conversational tone.
   
3. Sure, it would take the tedium out of the manual labor we go through and may be put a smile on the hassled user’s face.
   
4. Piece of cake? How do I translate that into Italian? Pezzo da pizza??
   

There is another position and that is already taken, namely by me: I really don’t have much of a choice and I follow the style prescribed by my paymaster. She who pays the piper specifies the style.

Of course there are other view points and individual preferences with regard to an informal style of writing. Tell us what you think.

Send your views to our debate column editor Avinash Akshay.

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