The ABCs of Writing a Technical Glossary    

This article identifies and explains format rules, style rules, and lexicographic conventions that have been shown to improve clarity and precision in a technical glossary. Rationale for the rules of language, presentation, and style are examined. The need to allow flexibility in following the rules is discussed in terms of strengthening the technical merit and vitality of the glossary. This article also describes the computer-display techniques and file-management system used in committee to develop U.S. Federal Standard 1037C, Glossary of telecommunication terms, and to display the results both in the meeting room and on the Internet between meetings.

Gray, Evie, William Ingram and Dennis Bodson. Technical Communication Online (1998). Articles>Editing>Technical Editing>Glossary

Action Verbs to Describe Skills, Jobs, and Accomplishments in Employment Documents

These are some words commonly used to describe your skills on your resume.

Purdue University (2004). Careers>Resumes>Glossary

Adaptive Technology Resource Centre: Technical Glossary

Comprehensive list of adaptive technology devices with detailed descriptions and examples of how they are used. Covers Alternative Keyboards, Alternative Mouse Systems, Braille Embosser and Text to Braille Conversion, Refreshable Braille Displays, Screen Magnifiers, Screen Readers and Talking Browsers, Text-to-Speech Systems, Animated Signing Characters (Signing Avatars) to name but a few.

Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (2004). Resources>Accessibility>Technology>Glossary

The Changing Vocabulary of Type

If a ligature falls in a paragraph and no one notices, does it make a sound? Or an impression? When people are no longer aware of old 'standard' typographic conventions and they've lost their meaning, does it make them archaic?

Will-Harris, Daniel. Typofile (2003). Design>Typography>Glossary

Content Management Glossary

An interactive glossary of terms from content management systems.

Sapir, Rick. KeyContent.org (2006). Articles>Content Management>Glossary

Defining Glossaries    

Glossaries are lists of specialized word definitions contained in technical documentation that can assist the nontechnical user to comprehend fully the technical topic at hand. In a joint project with SAS Institute, I sought to discover how glossaries were first developed, what guidelines are available for technical writers in the writing of glossaries, and what rhetorical technique might be of value for glossary writers. I found that glossaries are much more than simple word lists; they are, in fact, an opportunity for the technical writer to outline and protect the parameters of technical discourse between a company and its customers across multiple communications channels, and different languages. In an increasingly global technical environment, an explicit connection between the rhetorical technique of definition and the writing of glossary definitions should be made to aid technical writers in this task.

Tackabery, Michelle Kidd. Technical Communication Online (2005). Articles>Editing>Glossary

Definition of Information Management Terms

There is considerable confusion in the marketplace regarding the definition of various information management terms. The scope and role of specific information systems is particularly blurry, in part caused by the lack of consensus between vendors. With the aim of lessening this confusion, this briefing provides an at-a-glance definition of terms for a range of information systems.

Robertson, James. Step Two. Articles>Content Management>Single Sourcing>Glossary

European Association for Terminology

The European Association for Terminology (EAFT) was formed in 1996 and the first few years of its existence were largely taken up with organisational issues. Recently, however, the EAFT has become more active setting up a European Terminology Information Server (ETIS) and co-organising conferences. The EAFT has also established a number of special interest groups, including SIGs in terminology training and in minority languages.

Lervad, Susanne. TC-FORUM (2000). Articles>Language>Glossary

Glossaire de la Photo

Glossaire de la photo tout en français!

ITISphoto.com. (French) Resources>Graphic Design>Photography>Glossary

Glossary of Graphic Design and Web Page Design Terms

A collection of definitions for terms from graphic and web design.

Grantastic Designs. Resources>Graphic Design>Web Design>Glossary

A Glossary of Search Engine Ranking Terms

A glossary of commonly used terms in the world of search engine ranking.

Roy, Sumantra. 1stSearchRanking (2003). Design>Web Design>Glossary>Search Engine Optimization

Glossary Of Technical Illustration Terms

A concise reference guide to technical illustration terms.

Hulsey, Kevin. Kevin Hulsey Illustration. Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Glossary

Glossary of Translation and Interpreting Terminology

This glossary provides an explanation to many of the terms frequently used in connection with translation and interpreting. Whether you need to communicate effectively with translators or translation companies, or just want to know what Unicode or translation memory are all about, you’ll find the answers here.

Kreuzer, Dominik. Trans-K. Resources>Language>Localization>Glossary

Glossary of XBRL Terms  

A glossary of technical terms regarding the XBRL standard of of XML.

Phillips, Mary E., Tammy E. Bahmanziari and Robert G. Colvard. Journal of Accountancy (2008). Resources>Business Communication>XML>Glossary

How to Write Glossaries  

Glossaries can be quite difficult to write, mainly because some definitions require so much research. While many definitions can be found online, others cannot. For these, you will have to read standards, Requests for Comments (RFCs), and books—a lot of work for a three- or four-line definition!

Docsymmetry (2003). Articles>Editing>Glossary

IAwiki Index

An glossary of thousands of terms and concepts from information architecture.

IAwiki. Resources>Directories>Information Design>Glossary

Improving Documentation with Learning Techniques  

It is important to recognize that because we all differ in our experience and background the learning process is different for each of us. Consequently, in our documentation we should by to put users on an equal footing by, for example, clearly and exactly defining terms we use and including a glossary. We can also put everyone on an equal footing by using 'bridges to understanding,' from analogies, examples, and metaphors to mnemonic strategies. For overall comprehension, we can employ 'frameworks,' from conceptual maps to road maps, that give patterns of meaning to what we say.

Livingston, Dick. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Documentation>Instructional Design>Glossary

Information Architecture Glossary

This glossary is intended to foster development of a shared vocabulary within the new and rapidly evolving field of information architecture. It should serve as a valuable reference for anyone involved with or interested in the design of information architectures for web sites, intranets and other information systems.

Hagedorn, Kat. Argus Center (2000). Resources>Information Design>Glossary

Intelligent Terminology Management  

Using multiple terms to refer to the same concepts can be a major cause of confusion. Ray explains how to implement a process to consolidate the terminology used by your organization.

Ray, Rebecca. Intercom (2006). Articles>Writing>Style Guides>Glossary

A Programming Primer  

The easiest way to gain the respect of programmers is to learn to speak their language. If you can do that, they’ll inevitably recognize the effort you've invested in learning to appreciate their work and will treat you as an equal thereafter. With that goal in mind, I present this glossary of key programming terms you should master.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2004). Articles>Language>Programming>Glossary

Results of the "Survey of Percentages for Documentation Written on the Topic of Controlled Language (CL)"

Here is a summary of a survey that I conducted in April 1999. These results reflect replies received as of 10 June 1999.

Allen, Jeff. TC-FORUM (1999). Articles>Documentation>Localization>Glossary

The Role of Terminology Databases in Inter-operability  

Inter-operability is defined as the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged (source: IEEE Standard Computer Dictionary). Achieving inter-operability of computer-systems and software can consume a significant fraction of the Information Technology budgets of large corporations, so it is an important problem.

Thomas, Susan. tekom. Articles>Writing>Glossary

SAP Usability Glossary

The following glossary lists and explains usability terms, which are relevant for the SAP software world. The information was taken from several sources and adapted to the needs of this glossary. Among the sources are: www.whatis.com, the book authored by Larry Constantine and Lucy Lockwood 'Software for use: a practical guide to models and methods of usage-centered design', the book authored by JoAnn Hackos and Janice Reddish 'User and Task Analysis for Interface Design', information contained in articles and guidelines in the SAP Design Guild, own contributions (a.o. photos and graphics).

SAP Design Guild (2003). Resources>Usability>Glossary