Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications Third Edition

Rating:
Summary: Making Something Great Even Better . . .
Review: 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 ([e-mail])

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Update...Much needed...Much Improved
Review: As a technical writer I have been using the 2nd edition of this book for years as a primary resource. Obviously, its 1998 copy write date has made the 2nd edition more and more dated as time goes by.

I'm not going to go to specify which entries Microsoft has updated for this edition...I'll simply say that I have yet to look for an entry that should be there that wasn't. It's exactly what you'd expect for a new edition...it seems to be thorough.

What I did like is the book's new organization. It's divided into two sections:
1. General Topics
2. Usage Dictionary

The Usage Dictionary is essentially just like the 2nd edition, with all the latest XP terms and stuff. It's what I expected to get when I purchased the book.

The General Topics section is this volume's great improvement. Whereas topics like procedure guidelines, screen terminology, and grammatical suggestions were scattered throughout the 2nd edition (i.e., listed alphabetically) the editors realized that the 3rd edition would serve readers well if these types of entries had their own section. Consequently, the first 182 pages of the book contain chapters titled
1. Documenting the User Interface (includes naming conventions for screen terminology, dialog boxes, menus, etc.)
2. Content Formatting and Layout
3. Global Content
4. Content for Software Developers
5. Web Content
6. Indexing and Attributing
7. Tone and Rhetoric
8. Accessible Content
9. Common Style Problems
10. Grammatical Elements
11. Punctuation
12. List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

This first section is so good, in fact, that it should be considered standard reading for anyone who's going to be writing technical documents. It's comprehensive yet easy-to-read.

The book also comes with a CD-ROM that contains electronic versions of the following:
1. Microsoft Manual of Style, 3rd Edition
2. Microsoft Computer Dictionary, 5th Edition
3. Microsoft Encyclopedia of Networking, 2nd Edition

These e-books are not as convenient to use as the e-books that came with the 2nd edition (the new Style Manual e-book is just a big PDF), but they are nice resources to have...and I'll take what I can get. Certainly not a bad deal for the price.

Rating:
Summary: Think before you buy
Review: From the previous reviews, it appears that a few people have bought this book without thinking about what the contents are. Only buy this book if you are documenting Microsoft style software. What you have here is a glossary of terms, not a manual about grammar usage. While you may not be happy using terms because Microsoft says so, these terms have become accepted by software users. If you do write software documentation this book is invaluable.

Rating:
Summary: Useful and Resourceful
Review: I am a new-comer in the area of technical documentation. I recently joined a software company as a Technical Writer and am suddenly confronted with IT terminology usage, expressions and style issues. I sought refuge in this book (a concise glossary) and in its authority. I find helpful hints in these areas. But if your issue is HOW TO do DOCUMENTATION instead of style and terminology, you should go for 'Developing Quality Technical Information : A Handbook for Writers and Editors' by Gretchen Hargis (Editor), Ann Hernandez, Polly Hughes, Jim Ramaker.

Rating:
Summary: useful reference
Review: I find this book to be a useful reference for any kind of technical writing about computing and for general home use. The main part is an A to Z listing of technical terms and guidelines for their usage. The book has two appendices: first, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, and second, information about special characters. A cd is included that contains an electronic version of the book. The cd also includes the Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary.

The book is a little slanted to favor Microsoft (for example, the entry on "navigate"). And there are some areas that a person could refine (for example, integrating the International System of Units (SI) measurement and style guidelines). But for the main, it's a solid foundational reference.

Rating:
Summary: The Stylebook for Technical Projects
Review: 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."

Rating:
Summary: Who knew there was a correct way to refer to your Macintosh?
Review: If you do documentation or technical writing for a living, this is an essential. All too often, we are guilty of using adjectives and nouns as verbs. This book provides detailed assistance in how to use a word properly. I write documentation that is published on the WWW so my audience is very broad. I cannot afford stylistic slip-ups. This book can help you avoid them.

Note: This should not be assumed to be a replacement for a standard grammar and usage book such as a Gregg Manual. It should be used to augment standard style and grammar works.

Rating:
Summary: Seems a Little Out-of-Date
Review: It's difficult to give a good review to a book that has missed several publication deadlines. You'd think Microsoft would get it right for the 3rd edition and be able to ship it when promised, but apparently not.

Rating:
Summary: A 'bible' of essential information
Review: Technical writers, journalists, editors and any who write about computer technology or employ content for worldwide audiences will find this newly updated and expanded third edition of Microsoft Manual Of Style For Technical Publications to be a 'bible' of essential information covering everything from how to write better documentation supporting web sites to knowing standards for accessible communications. This could have been featured in our computer books section but any involved in the modern literary world should have it too: it covers the basics of how to optimize computer-based writing systems and addresses all the common style problems along the way.


Rating:
Summary: Why buy it when you can download it free?
Review: The book is excellent! But the Microsoft press no longer prints it because it is available for download free from the Microsoft Download Center (search for the keyword "style").

But it is great if you like paper copies!