ubuntu-manual-bugs team mailing list archive

[Marc Stewart <marc.c.stewart@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Public bug reported:

Rev. 788
Ch.1, p. 15 (PDF p. 17)
Types: grammar

The margin note on p. 15 begins:
Many people installing Ubuntu for the first time are currently using either Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Mac OS X on their computer.

Firstly, "are currently using" uses the continous present tense,
implying the users are using one of those other OSes *right now*. While
Wubi means that it's technically true, I believe the intent was that
they were using that OS *generally*, in which case the simple present
tense "currently use" would be more appropriate.

Secondly, "either" is for a choice of two, but the list it precedes has
four items. "Either" should therefore be replaced, for example, with
"one of".

Together, this yields:
Many people installing Ubuntu for the first time currently use one of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Mac OS X on their computer.
but it would probably be better as:
Many people installing Ubuntu for the first time currently use another operating system on their computer, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Mac OS X.

** Affects: ubuntu-manual
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

-- 
Simple present tense suggested & Use of "either"
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/585250
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Status in Ubuntu Manual: New

Bug description:
Rev. 788
Ch.1, p. 15 (PDF p. 17)
Types: grammar

The margin note on p. 15 begins:
Many people installing Ubuntu for the first time are currently using either Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Mac OS X on their computer.

Firstly, "are currently using" uses the continous present tense, implying the users are using one of those other OSes *right now*. While Wubi means that it's technically true, I believe the intent was that they were using that OS *generally*, in which case the simple present tense "currently use" would be more appropriate.

Secondly, "either" is for a choice of two, but the list it precedes has four items. "Either" should therefore be replaced, for example, with "one of".

Together, this yields:
Many people installing Ubuntu for the first time currently use one of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Mac OS X on their computer.
but it would probably be better as:
Many people installing Ubuntu for the first time currently use another operating system on their computer, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Mac OS X.