Posted on 01/12/2013 3:39:35 PM PST by re_nortex
I typically spend 94.37% of my computing time in the Solaris or Linux environments but today was one of those occasions when I ventured outside my comfort zone, launching into Windows 8 for a brief while. A series of updates were available and upon the recommended reboot, I was greeted with this message:
Windows Update: Do not turn off your computer.
Of course, the Unix platforms have never been noted for the precision of their error and informational messages (the notorious "not a typewriter" as a catchall for an invalid ioctl). Yet the syntax of the Microsoft message struck me as a bit odd, almost a bit like Pittsburghese. I would think a more apt phrasing would be Do not turn your computer off as a cautionary message while the updates were being applied.
Perhaps nonsense up with which Microsoft would not put?
Well, Microsoft wanted to impact you proactively, otherwise, the company could care less!
I saw nothing wrong with the grammar but then again, I’m a Pittsburgher. B-D
(shrug) for several years here in Pennsylvania we had automobile license plates that proudly proclaimed, “You’ve Got a Friend In Pennsylvania”.
Indgrish!
A preposition is a bad thing to end a sentence with!!
Ballmer and crew should of leveraged a synergistic strategy as they right-sized the staff in Bangalore responsible for crafting the textual strings. At the end of the day...
Perhaps they did.
(I still remember the "IN" in "FLAMMABLE" before it had to be dumbed down.)
Because “turn” and “off” have to be together. “Turn your computer off” is incorrect. “Turn off your computer” is correct. Learn English.
I use Microsoft’s (Win 7) own password protected screen saver. When I return and press the ANY key or the mouse, I first see the message “Locking your computer” for 5 seconds before the password prompt appears.
I just checked this variant of linux.
Yep. "Printer on fire" is still a valid error message for an unknown printer error.
/johnny
I understand your point about grammar, but on another note I learned through bitter experience that if you do turn off your computer when you get that message, it’s format the hard drive and reinstall windows from scratch time.
Could you explain what's wrong with the MS phrase?
But a true mid-state PA Dutchie would say, “Don’t be making with the computer turning off now. Dontcha ya know”.
There. Fixed it.
/johnny
I think one can argue that “turn on” and “turn off” are familiar phrases, used of radios, TVs, computers, and most other electronic gadgets. Or, for that matter, before radios came on the scene, there was the phrase, “Turn off the lights.”
So, “Do not turn off your computer” seems correct to me.
Grammar nazi’s sucketh
According to FReeper Cruising Speed, I'm wrong and Microsoft's syntax is correct. Apologies to all for the thread.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.