Full Circle Style Guidelines

Presented here are style guidelines to keep in mind if you choose to submit text for publication to Full Circle, the (unofficial) Ubuntu Magazine. Note: If after submitting your writing your text is chosen to be in the next issue of the magazine, it will be subjected to proof-reading and editing. We respect your writing style. All suggested revisions are in the spirit of constructive criticism. Suggestions on how to improve the work will be reviewed with the editor and the author. Revisions could include things like changing awkward/weak words, moving paragraphs to achieve greater clarity, and removal/revision of redundant content, among other things. Again, all edits will be double checked with the authors, don't be caught off-guard (or offended) by am email or private message suggesting changes to your work!

Style guidelines

• Ubuntu and derivative distros have thir first letter capitolized, for example: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, not ubuntu, kubuntu.

• Menu navigation shall be in the format Menu->Submenu->Submenu, for example: "From the menu, select File->Save. Not, click on File, then click Save as...

• When documenting how to install software, try to avoid recommending a particular package manager (such as apt-get) - instead, simply use the phrase "Install package X from the Y repository". If appropriate, include a link to a page which documents the various package managers. (copied from WikiGuide/style)
• Remember that your writing is to be read, not spoken, so avoid excessive use of colloquialisms adopted from the natural spoken language, as it could confuse the reader (especially if english is not their native language).

==Specific words==

Most acronyms are written in all caps, thus a computer is a PC. An animation frequently found on the internet is a GIF, another picture is a JPG. A portable document is a PDF, a web address is a URL. A CD is similar in shape to a DVD. music files can be played in a variety of formats, including MP3, OGG and WAV. Movies can be viewed in MPG, WMV or AVG. Got it?

==Disambigution==

• When you start your computer, you must log in (verb), which is different than a login (adj) window. The same rule applies to log out (v) and logout (adj).

• Whether you are surfing, streaming media, instant messaging, or doing anything else regarding the internet, you are online, never on line(with a space). Even when your computer is offline, it is impossible that it be off line(with a space).
• When you have a cd, that is, a CD, that you would like to make a copy of you will have to rip onto your computer first, then burn it onto a new disc.
• Burning a disk is a good way to lose all the files on your harddrive, burning a disc is a good way to back those files up.

More to come.