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Questions tagged [technical]

This tag is for questions related to the use of technical language. Consider [terminology] tag for seeking or discussing a term (or terms) belonging a specialized subject.

Technical language refers to written or oral communication in a technical field that has specialized content. It is characterized by discussing technical or specialized topics, communicating through technology or technical terms, or providing instructions on solving technical problems.

401 questions
25
votes
4 answers

Usage of "w.r.t." in academic papers

Is it possible to use the abbreviation "w.r.t." in academic papers?
user278064
  • 421
12
votes
2 answers

What is the technical term for the area within a fort?

I would like to know what is the name of the area within a trace italienne fortification, i.e. item 38 in the image here below (which unfortunately was omitted in Wikipedia):
neydroydrec
  • 1,379
12
votes
2 answers

Due by, due on, due for - what's the difference?

When someone says "I need x by Friday", I usually take it to mean they want x in their hands when Friday begins. However, when that same person says "I need x on Friday", I understand them to mean they want x no later than the end of the day…
Delyle
  • 255
6
votes
6 answers

When referring to a previously sent text, would you say 'I text you about that' or 'I texted you about that'?

I realize texted is not a word, but text doesn't seem appropriate in the above sentence. What would make more sense?
LizzybethQ
  • 129
3
votes
2 answers

Correct usage of "rated" and "specified"?

When writing about technical subjects, how do we use the adjectives rated and specified correctly? As an example, suppose I am writing about a rechargeable battery, and I would like to express that its capacity is 2500 mAh. My problem is that I am…
Binarus
  • 165
3
votes
2 answers

Can I grow some gratitude?

Just curious, normally if a person is not appreciating another person that's helping him, the person can tell him to show some gratitude. But how about "grow some gratitude"? It implies the person has no gratitude at all and have to undergo natural…
THE COMMENT GUY
  • 773
2
votes
3 answers

How to say "time span of data" formally?

I am currently working on a technical documentation for data analytics. I am wondering how to say "time span of data" formally, as a section name. For example, I have temperature data per second and it is from 2012 to 2014. I want to say, "time span…
Jiang Xiang
  • 135
1
vote
1 answer

Best adjectives to describe due dates?

When talking about multiple assignments, what's a good way to describe the next task that is due? For example, say I sort a list of assignments in the order they are due. How can I describe the task on the top of the list? "The task with the…
Kristen Fiocco
  • 35
1
vote
3 answers

Technical writing: how to say more vs. less permission?

I'm writing a doc about user permission settings. I'm trying to say that if you select multiple settings for the same application, the highest permission will override the lesser permission. (In other words, the user will get the permission that…
Kristen Fiocco
  • 35
1
vote
4 answers

Meaning of "I am buying a third-hand book."

"I am buying a third-hand book." Does this mean I am the third or fourth owner of this book after I buy it?
Rex
  • 522
1
vote
2 answers

Does the term 'eccentric screw pump' have weird associations?

A progressing cavity pump is sometimes referred to as an eccentric screw pump, because it features a screw that turns abound an axis other than its center. 'Eccentric screw pump' yields many Google hits, while professionals seem to use the term 'PC…
mart
  • 213
1
vote
4 answers

Is there a language or subset of English for technical writing

I read a lot of technical documentation, especially in the computer programming space. Today I was reading the following paragraph: Any type that implements a Read (or Write) method with this signature is said to implement io.Reader (or io.Writer).…
three-cups
  • 119
1
vote
4 answers

a computer program does what for the user - Technical writing

I am writing a technical document and, I have a module called "Pre-policy Module" which is a web application(like, say, facebook). What could be appropriate to say in a sentence like this: The goal of VAS – Pre policy Web Application is to…
user37007
  • 27
0
votes
4 answers

Less than or below when comparing to a limit

When I am comparing a numeric value to a numeric limit, as in a maximum value, should I say the value is "below the limit" or "less than the limit"? Specifically, I am saying, "the maximum concentration limit (MCL) is 5 mg/L," and then "the measured…
Melody Cornelius
  • 126
0
votes
0 answers

Best words to use for distinguishing between a "physical server" (hw, computer) and a "software server"

I'm looking for two (if possible short) words to describe two concepts, which, unfortunately can be both described as a "server", which is confusing: "hardware server" - a physical computer - a hardware "software server" - a program which servers a…
Jan Spurny
  • 101
1
2