Developer Terms and User Terms (HI Guide)

Inside Macintosh: Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines / Part 2 - The Interface Elements: Chapter 11 - Language / Terminology

Developer Terms and User Terms

It's very tempting to use the words that you're familiar with when you're developing documentation, training materials, or elements on the screen. However, it's best to use terms that your users are familiar with and that are consistent across the Macintosh product line and developer products. Don't use technical jargon or computer science terminology. It's especially important not to use programming terms in menus, dialog boxes, or user books.

Don't use file type names to refer to Finder documents that users see. Call documents by the terms that appear in the Kind column in Finder windows. Table 11-1 lists the terms to use in place of the four-character type names, as well as a few other preferred terms for user documentation.
Table 11-1 Translation chart for user documentation
Previously-used term Suggested terminology Examples
adev Network extension EtherTalk network extension
cdev Control panel Mouse control panel
DA Desk accessory Calculator desk accessory
ddev Database extension Data Access Language (DAL) database extension
FKEY Function key F1 function key
INIT System extension (not startup document) File Sharing system extension
MultiFinder icon Active-application icon
RDEV Chooser extension LaserWriter Chooser extension, AppleShare Chooser extension
Standard file dialog box Directory dialog box Directory dialog box for opening files