Tech Writing - Alternate Term for "New Feature"
Hi,
When we add a new feature to our web application, I insert a "NEW FEATURE" banner into the appropriate page. e.g.
NEW FEATURE: The system now supports reciting pi out to 20 decimal places. Click here for details.
I'm now documenting a change to existing functionality and want to announce this update in a similar manner. But, it's not a new feature. What would be a viable alternate term? ENHANCEMENT? SOFTWARE CHANGE? <Something else?>
Thanks,
Steve
When we add a new feature to our web application, I insert a "NEW FEATURE" banner into the appropriate page. e.g.
NEW FEATURE: The system now supports reciting pi out to 20 decimal places. Click here for details.
I'm now documenting a change to existing functionality and want to announce this update in a similar manner. But, it's not a new feature. What would be a viable alternate term? ENHANCEMENT? SOFTWARE CHANGE? <Something else?>
Thanks,
Steve
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For (2) it would depend.
If you had previously: High or Low
Now you have: Very high, High, Low, Very Low
then I would say it is IMPROVED.
Conversely, if you had before: Enabled or Disabled
and you now have: Enabled (All Users), Enabled (Specified Users), Disabled (Specified Users), Disabled (All Users)
then it would likely be NEW feature.
I guess you just have to do it on a case by case basis and try to be fair and objective. Keep the marketing and sales people away - else everything will just become NEW & IMPROVED
:-)
Alan.
If you had previously: High or Low
Now you have: Very high, High, Low, Very Low
then I would say it is IMPROVED.
Conversely, if you had before: Enabled or Disabled
and you now have: Enabled (All Users), Enabled (Specified Users), Disabled (Specified Users), Disabled (All Users)
then it would likely be NEW feature.
I guess you just have to do it on a case by case basis and try to be fair and objective. Keep the marketing and sales people away - else everything will just become NEW & IMPROVED
:-)
Alan.
ASKER
For (2)
If my original choices (fake example) were:
Apple, Pear, Grape, Plum (which are all fruits)
and Development added Lettuce, Squash, Kale (veggies, of course), then I think NEW applies.
Along other lines, if a default value is changed to be more beneficial to the user, I suspect IMPROVED fits the bill.
Agree?
Thanks.
If my original choices (fake example) were:
Apple, Pear, Grape, Plum (which are all fruits)
and Development added Lettuce, Squash, Kale (veggies, of course), then I think NEW applies.
Along other lines, if a default value is changed to be more beneficial to the user, I suspect IMPROVED fits the bill.
Agree?
Thanks.
> Your example shows a table, but I assume NEW or IMPROVED apply to a banner at the top of a page?
No. It applies to each feature in the table. For example, "Support shared network folders" is a NEW feature in PaperPort Professional 14 (and not in PaperPort 14); "Customizable Scanner Profiles" is an IMPROVED feature in both PaperPort 14 (five Profiles) and PaperPort Professional 14 (unlimited Profiles).
> if I had a parameter that previously had two possible settings and now supports four possible settings, would that one be IMPROVED? UPDATED?
Both words are fine, imo, and so is ENHANCED.
Regards, Joe
No. It applies to each feature in the table. For example, "Support shared network folders" is a NEW feature in PaperPort Professional 14 (and not in PaperPort 14); "Customizable Scanner Profiles" is an IMPROVED feature in both PaperPort 14 (five Profiles) and PaperPort Professional 14 (unlimited Profiles).
> if I had a parameter that previously had two possible settings and now supports four possible settings, would that one be IMPROVED? UPDATED?
Both words are fine, imo, and so is ENHANCED.
Regards, Joe
ASKER
@Joe.
OK, we're dealing not dealing with a table of functions here, but a single document. With a NEW FEATURE banner up top. So, I need terminology that looks "good" on the banner. I can live with UPDATED as a heading.
UPDATED: The "Side Dish" field now supports veggies.
OK, we're dealing not dealing with a table of functions here, but a single document. With a NEW FEATURE banner up top. So, I need terminology that looks "good" on the banner. I can live with UPDATED as a heading.
UPDATED: The "Side Dish" field now supports veggies.
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ASKER
Ended up going with ENHANCEMENT (the noun), to be consistent with NEW FEATURE, which I've been using dating back about a year.
Will review now and assign points. Thanks!
Will review now and assign points. Thanks!
ASKER
Thanks, everyone. I realize this question was somewhat subjective. However, your guidance helped me find clarity, and will ENHANCE the quality of my UPDATED and IMPROVED document. :)
hehe...good one!
{Groan}
ASKER
@Joe
1. Your example shows a table, but I assume NEW or IMPROVED apply to a banner at the top of a page?
2. So, if I had a parameter that previously had two possible settings and now supports four possible settings, would that one be IMPROVED? UPDATED?