Microsoft® Manual of Style, Fourth Edition

Technical terms

If you are writing for a general audience, consider your use of technical terms. People who do not think of themselves as computer professionals often consider technical terms to be a major stumbling block to understanding. Whenever possible, you should get your point across by using common English words. It is all right to use technical terms when they are necessary for precise communication, even with a general audience, but do not write as if everybody understands these terms or will immediately grasp their meaning. Define terms in the text as you introduce them. Provide a glossary with your content, and provide links from the main text to the glossary if you are writing for online Help or for the web.

If you are writing for ...