Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications

While this manual of style can't possibly list everything that is created by Microsoft, it does advise how to use and spell both general and computer-related terms and takes a stand on sticky style, technical writing, and design and interface issues. This second edition has been updated to include significant changes in Internet terminology and usage. Alphabetically tabbed pages make it easy to locate topics of interest. A useful appendix defines acronyms and abbreviations and shares any special style rules associated with them. Another appendix lists keyboard characters and the correct names that should be used to describe each one. The enclosed CD-ROM contains an electronic version of the book along with a copy of the Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary. --Cristina Vaamonde

But it is great if you like paper copies!


Microspeak   April 23, 2000
 27 out of 32 found this review helpful

Reference and more. Useful. But there is a quaintness to some of its opinions. For example, "multitasking" is not to be used as a verb ("it is jargon"), do not say "grow your business," do not use "peripheral" as a noun, to refer to computer accessories, etc. My favorite entry, especially fun to find in light of Microsoft's legal problems arising in part from its relationship to Netscape Navigator, is this Orwellian directive, found on p. 185: "Navigate. Avoid the verb 'navigate' to refer to moving from site to site, page to page within a site, or link to link on the Internet.(...) Instead, use 'explore' to mean looking for sites or pages generally..."

A useful book in many ways.


Making Something Great Even Better . . .   September 4, 1998
 24 out of 27 found this review helpful

Already a popular tome with software documentation professionals, this new edition has much to offer both to the new reader and those who have read the previous version cover to cover.

Modestly informing its readers that only 17 heavily revised or new terms have been included in this publication, the new Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications has nonetheless expanded its overall topic list by a total of 144 entries. This has increased the size of the book from the previous edition by 44 pages. Many outdated and unused terms have been taken out of the manual, only to be updated to include significant changes in Internet and browser terminology and usage.

From a presentation standpoint, there are minor changes to the headings and body text. Of particular note however is the new alphabetical tabbing appearing on the outer edge of the document to help locate the topics. The index is structured to contain more subentry references as well. Gone however is Appendix C, the Words with Numbers section.

As with the earlier edition of the manual, this copy contains a standard Windows Help system version of the book. To demonstrate support of its new HTML-based Help standard however, Microsoft has also enclosed the same information on an HTML Help system (what it refers to in the manual as an "electronic book"). For additional incentive, there is also an HTML Help version of the third edition of the Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary - another helpful resource. Be aware though that to view these HTML materials you need to use Internet Explorer 4.0 or later (also included on the companion CD).

As more software development companies are designing applications that use browser technology or can be accessed via the Internet and World Wide Web, the new topic information this book contains is timely. Other new and enhanced terminology is also extremely beneficial.

- Mike Donoghue, AMS Services (donoghmi@amsworld.com)


This is only a glossary....a very elementary glossary.   July 11, 2000
 23 out of 34 found this review helpful

I expected this book to be similar to the Chicago Manual of Style with a Silicon Valley twist. It is nothing like the Chicago Manual of Style. This book is a glossary of very basic words such as bytes. Many of the terms are in my Webster dictionary. I do not recommend this... book. (Buy a big dictionary instead.)


The Stylebook for Technical Projects   June 25, 2001
 22 out of 27 found this review helpful

If you are writing a technical oriented project, this is the stylebook. As opposed to the Chicago Manual and the AP Stylebook, this compendium address the technical grammar issue your will encounter.

Unlike other "new economy" stylebooks, this is traditional. You can submit projects using it to crusty, old traditional editors without fear of embarrassing yourself. The word "Data" remains plural; the preposition "over" refers to spatial relationships, "more than" numeric relationships. It is easy to use and comes with a CD-ROM, which aids accessibility.

When I was first introduced to this book, I must admit I thought, "Why bother?" Having bought it and used it extensively, I now think, "Don't do without."