Microsoft Manual of Style

NOTE: This review is for the physical print edition of this book. Other reviewers have noted problems with the Kindle edition--if you are seeing this review under the Kindle edition, be aware that Amazon does this and we reviewers have no control over it.While the Microsoft Manual of Style emphasizes teaching you the way Microsoft Press writes its books, there are still many basic elements of good writing that are reinforced here. This fourth edition is easy to read. It provides good examples to help you think in the voice of your audience (and be aware of bad habits that affect good writing). It has also updated the way technical language should be used, to include guidance when you're writing for phone or tablet interfaces. People in IT write technical documents to varying degrees, on a wide variety of subjects, so not everyone will use every single guideline we get in the Microsoft Manual of Style. Still, it is a very useful tool to improve your writing.

This is a much improved over Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications Version 3. It's well layed out and it much more up-to-date (the previous version was 8 years old.)My pet peeve is that the old book version came with a CD with an electronic version. I went with the Kindle version, but don't want to pay additional for the physical copy. There should be some kind of discount if you buy both together--or better yet, the electronic version should be free with the physical copy.And, yes, there is reason for the physical copy. As a technical writer, I like to have a copy on my desk for others to look at when they have a question.

So far (one month of use) this is an improvement on the last version, which was already good. In addition to some of the things already mentioned in other reviews, I noticed that at times it would be more useful and educational to the user if more explanation was provided for diverging from what were the previous rules of usage, especially for high-frequency terms. So my only complaint is that, while simple is great, maybe it was simplified a bit too much. Still, it is a very good resource for anyone doing technical writing or documentation of web publishing.

As a long-time technical writer in a Microsoft Windows and Office dev shop, I have long cared about the linguistic choices tech writers need to know. Earlier editions of this very same style guide have been very valuable to me.I expect no less from this version.i find it "interesting" that people still debate whether the term "e-mail" should or should not have a hyphen. Microsoft has come down hard against this particular hyphen, though they also caution that the term "email" is not a verb.I suspect that as I dig into this manual a little deeper, I may find more things to quibble about. Or I may just shrug, adapt to the new ways, and move on.

Outstanding Reference Manual for Technical Writing in today's tech industry. Refreshing and to the point. It offers a wealth of information in a handy layout. This is the kind of book you don't need to read all the way through, just go to the index and look for something that relates to what you're working on and boom, instant reference goodness. Keep it by your work station and never mistreat it.

It is very easy to find the information you need.On top of the usual index at the end of the book, there's also a large section (part 2) entitled "Usage Dictionary" which lists computer and technical writing terms. It also lists terms that are considered to be obsolete and refers you to the updated terms.At the end of TOC there is also an index to the Usage Dictionary part.I've only recently got this book but have been using it extensively.Strongly recommended for professional technical writers.

I took a part-time telecommuting job as a technical editor, and my new employer uses the Microsoft Manual of Style is a standard reference. I decided to purchase a personal copy. I got it at a good price and quickly through Amazon Prime. Of course it is "the" style reference to have, it you are involved in writing or editing material that includes computer terminology.

This guide provides clear, concise explanations of how and why to word things so they are understandable by readers. I work for a software company that produces specialized software for the healthcare industry. Part of my job is to write user guides and training materials for our software. This book has been a great help in ensuring that I use standard terminology and commands.This is the first Microsoft book that I have ever used that is readable!

Becoming pretty much an industry standard these days. Leads you through writing clear concise work instructions

If you write support documentation for computer software you must have the Microsoft Manual of Style within reach. The 4th edition is fully updated with a simple layout and very easy to use. Highly recommended.

Such an amazing resource for those who write documentation. I'm already improving my writing abilities. Must have book for all technical writers.

This book doesn't get old. Personally, I consider this book a reference for technical writing. It's also a great help for process or training guides design. I'll read it from end to end and will update this review if I see any flaws.

Don't be fooled; this is not just a book that pertains strictly to Microsoft and how to write for their applications etc. This is an amazing manual that I use very often and it has never steered me wrong.