atw: Re: austechwriter Digest V5 #292

The reason for the redundancy (eg three (3)) is a hangover from contract writing or other applications where a misunderstanding or typo can mean death - literal or otherwise. The double use makes sure the reader doesn't get three million instead of three thousand or whatever. Moreover, if there is a difference between the two (2), an error somewhere becomes immediately clear. Clearly, the use of the convention on non-critical applications becomes laboured and ridiculous.
I found it interesting that a government contract here some years ago did get a number wrong while not using the convention, and the journos had a field day implying that the barbarians were at the gate because the hapless public servant hadn't known that a contract was invalid because the writer hadn't known to (2) use the redundant double form. It came as news 2 (to) me that a contract wasn't valid because of not using this generally silly convention, but hey a good beat up is fun, n'est ce pas?
There was a case of a bungee jumping company somewhere a while ago that had a high platform and a low(er) platform, and they managed to kill several of their customers by giving people from the low platform the longer ropes. (welllll, they won't do THAT again, will they... oops whoopsy they just did). It has often exercised my imagination that they might have saved someone if they had used the redundant form of labeling. Then again, maybe not.
A relevant issue for techie writers is the number of people who die in Aus each year because medicos and chemical companies get the decimal place wrong in prescribing or administering drugs. Here the use of the double numbering convention can literally save lives. 

Cheers
Graeme




austechwriter Digest    Sun, 18 Nov 2007        Volume: 05  Issue: 292

In This Issue:
                Can't print PDF
                Junior technical writers for hire
                Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
                Re: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
                Re: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:40:53 +1100
From: Allan Charlton <allancharlton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Can't print PDF

Hi Folks
When I went to print a PDF - and PDF - I get an Adobe popup message that 
says

"Before you can perform print-related tasks such as page setup or
printing a document, you need to install a printer."

I have two printers installed - a Fuji Xerox C2100 and a Lexmark 5470.
The Adobe Help tells me to go to File>Setup, but that doesn't respond
because it thinks I don't have a printer installed. Can anyone explain 
how I can get Adobe Reader to recognise that I do have printers
installed and print documents for me?

Thanks
Allan

------------------------------

From: "Geoffrey Marnell" <geoffrey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Junior technical writers for hire
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:07:29 +1100

Dear austechies,
I have just finished teaching another batch of would-be technical writers through my Technical Writing and Editing course at Melbourne University. A group of especially high achievers is keen to break into the industry as soon as possible. If you, or the organisation you are working for, has a need for (or could use) a graduate-entry technical writer, please let me 
know and I'll send you some good CVs.



Cheers



Geoffrey Marnell

Principal Consultant

Abelard Consulting Pty Ltd

T: (+61 3) 9596 3456

F: (+61 3) 9596 3625

W: http://www.abelard.com.au

_________________________






------------------------------

Subject: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
From: Howard.Silcock@xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:16:30 +1100

Most usage guides have rules about when to write out numbers as words
(one, two, three, ...) and when to use numerals (1, 2, 3, ...). However, 
from time to time I come across passages written like this (from a
document I've just been reading):
This solution has been designed to support up to five (5) users, 
and three (3) of these systems are being procured.

I've seen this often enough to think there must be some rationale for
doing it this way, but I can't imagine what it is. It looks almost as if the writer wonders whether readers mightn't understand the 'written- out' 
forms.
Anyone know the source of this style of writing? Is there a good reason 
for it that I'm missing?

Howard


Howard Silcock
Technical Writer
Zare Pty Ltd
Ph  02 6261 2073
Fax 02 6112 2073


------------------------------

From: Amanda Cat <amandacat22@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:27:51 +0000

I've never seen this.

I was taught the one, two, three...nine ten, 11, 12, 13 rule as well.
I know that in military style sheets, when writing units of measurement, that rule goes out the window: 

3 seconds.
5 minutes.
4 Tonnes.
But I've never heard of the scenario described below. Given they are describing users and systems, I would have assumed "five users and three systems".
It does look like they're overcompensating with the old numerals, there. 

Meh...??

Amanda
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx: atw: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]From: Howard.Silcock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:16:30 +1100Most usage guides have rules about when to write out numbers as words (one, two, three, ...) and when to use numerals (1, 2, 3, ...). However, from time to time I come across passages written like this (from a document I've just been reading): This solution has been designed to support up to five (5) users, and three (3) of these systems are being procured. I've seen this often enough to think there must be some rationale for doing it this way, but I can't imagine what it is. It looks almost as if the writer wonders whether readers mightn't understand the 'written-out' forms. Anyone know the source of this style of writing? Is there a good reason for it that I'm missing? Howard Howard SilcockTechnical WriterZare Pty LtdPh 02 6261 2073Fax 02 6112 2073 

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:32:28 +1100
From: Janice Gelb <Janice.Gelb@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Writing numbers in text [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Howard.Silcock@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:


Most usage guides have rules about when to write out numbers as words
(one, two, three, ...) and when to use numerals (1, 2, 3, ...). However, 
from time to time I come across passages written like this (from a
document I've just been reading):
This solution has been designed to support up to five (5) users, 
and three (3) of these systems are being procured.

I've seen this often enough to think there must be some rationale for
doing it this way, but I can't imagine what it is. It looks almost as if the writer wonders whether readers mightn't understand the 'written-out' 
forms.
Anyone know the source of this style of writing? Is there a good reason 
for it that I'm missing?



The fact that many style guides warn against doing
this very thing leads me to believe that obsessive
writers have a tendency to do this and we all have
to do our part in stamping it out :->

-- Janice

***********************************************************
Janice Gelb          | The only connection Sun has with
janice.gelb@xxxxxxx  | this message is the return address

------------------------------

End of austechwriter Digest V5 #292
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