Hi Nick,
From my understanding, an object is something you can create a list of records
for, like a list of customers. My first thought was "data type" but I see
you've disqualified that already. How about a "list type" or a "selection type"
if it is always something they can select?
Good luck!
Dora
From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nick Shears
Sent: Wednesday, 11 October 2017 12:14 PM
To: Aus Tech Writer (austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx) <austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: atw: Synonym for Object
Hi Aus Techies
Can anyone help me find an alternative to the technical noun "Object" for
non-technical users of an app?
A screen has several labels using "Type" with different qualifiers.
All refer to one of two things, so I'm proposing use of just two labels: "Type"
preceded by one of two qualifiers.
On this screens, end-users will define custom fields which they can then use on
different types of records they maintain.
Some labels will now all be "Field Type". (Text field, text area, radio
buttons, etc.)
Others are currently "Object Type", or "Type", or unlabeled. (Example values:
Speaker or Session, since the app is for event automation.) What would you use
instead?
The users are non-technical, so although developers are intimately familiar
with "object", we need an alternative. I've suggested "Record Type", but have
been asked if there's something else.
I've found nothing in the Microsoft Style Guide or Merriam Webster (the users
are largely American), nor in what's left of my brain. No equivalent term is
used elsewhere in the app or its documentation. I don't consider "Data"
applicable. I'd like something conversational, but can't find it.
Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Nick
