This section provides a list of terms that are commonly found in technical documentation. You should use the spellings of words as documented in this section whenever you use those words in Ubuntu documentation.
This list is not exhaustive. For terminology that is not listed here, refer to the Gnome Desktop Style Guide Term List.
Contents
General
How to Refer to Ubuntu
- Use "Ubuntu operating system" the first time you refer to Ubuntu, then use "Ubuntu" thereafter. You can use the terms "Ubuntu system" and "Ubuntu environment" when they are more appropriate than "Ubuntu operating system."
- You can use "Ubuntu Linux distribution" or "Ubuntu Linux distro," but try to reserve those terms for audiences who do not need to have "distribution" or "distro" explained to them.
- You can use "Kubuntu", "Kubuntu system", "Kubuntu environment", and "Kubuntu distribution" when referring to Ubuntu with the KDE desktop environment. Note that it is still the Ubuntu operating system, not the Kubuntu operating system.
- Use "based on Debian GNU/Linux" when referring to Ubuntu's Debian roots.
- Use "Linux-based" when referring to Ubuntu's kernel roots.
- You might find that you must use the term "Ubuntu Linux". If so, consider using the phrase "based on Debian GNU/Linux".
- If you use any of the following terms, you must explain them in the text following their first use, as well as in the glossary (if there is a glossary).
- Debian
- GNU/Linux
- Linux
- distribution
- distro
- If there is an About Ubuntu section in your document, describe Ubuntu and its genealogy, including GNU/Linux, Debian, and the Linux kernel.
GUI Terms
check box
Description: An on/off element used for selecting and deselecting an option. Usually signified by a check mark, but sometimes by an "X".
Usage: The phrase "check box" is seldom used in text. It is more common to use words such as "select", "deselect", and "choose", depending on the user action being described. If there is any ending punctuation such as a period, colon, or ellipsis on the label associated with the check box, do not use the punctuation in your text.
DocBook Tags: Since a check box usually has a label associated with it, use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the check box name.
Example: Select the <guilabel>Case sensitive</guilabel> option.
drop-down combination box
NOTE: The drop-down combination box is currently being discussed on the ubuntu-doc mailing list. The information below will likely be changed.
Description: The combo box is the combination of a text box and a drop-down list. The list is activated by clicking the arrow to the right of the text box. You can either type into the text box or select an item from the list.
Usage: Use "choose" to tell the user what to select rather than specifying whether to use the drop-down list or the text box. A possible exception is in documents where users might be unfamiliar with combo boxes, such as a document for those who have never used a computer before. Avoid the term "combo box". Use "drop-down combination box" instead.
DocBook Tags: Since a combo box usually has a label associated with it, use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the combo box name.
Example: Choose <userinput>Ubuntu</userinput> from the <guilabel>Operating System</guilabel> drop-down combination box.
command button
Description: The classic button. You press it to start an action.
Usage: Many users may be more familiar with the term "button" than "command button." Additionally, you "click on" a button rather than "press" a button.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guibutton></guibutton> tags for the text on the button.
Example: Click on the <guibutton>OK</guibutton> button.
control
Description: A control is any user interface element, such as a button, tab, or drop-down box.
DocBook Tags: None.
Example: This option affects the color of all controls.
drop-down list
Description: A list of possible selections. You click on the drop-down button to the right of the current selection to see all possible options.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the label of the drop-down list.
Example: Use the <guilabel>size</guilabel> drop-down list to specify the size of your image.
drop-down section
Description: A dialog element that, when you click on the associated text, displays more dialog elements.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the text associated with this element.
Example: Select the filetype from the <guilabel>filetype</guilabel> drop-down list or click on the <guilabel>Filetypes by extension</guilabel> to select a filetype based on its file extension.
ellipsis button
Description: A button with an ellipsis ("...") on it, usually used to select a file.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guibutton>...</guibutton> tags for the text associated with this element.
Example: Type the path to the file in the <guilabel>Icon</guilabel> text box or click the <guibutton>...</guibutton> button to find a file.
group box
Description: A box that groups elements of a dialog together. Often used in configuration dialogs.
Usage: In large dialogs with many options. If the user might not know where to find an option, specify which group the option is in if the dialog is broken up into groups. Avoid "group box" and instead use "group."
DocBook Tags: Use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the label of the group box.
Example: Choose "emacs" from the <guilabel>external text editor</guilabel> drop-down box in the <guilabel>text editing</guilabel> group.
launcher
Description: A GUI element that executes a command or starts a command when clicked. In the GNOME and KDE desktops, launchers appear as icons on the desktop and panels. They also appear as menu items on menus, including the main menus.
DocBook Tags: None.
Example: To add this launcher, click on the <guibutton>Add</guibutton> button.
list box
Description: A multi-line text box with static content from which a user can select one or more of several items. The selected item(s) are highlighted. A user can select multiple items with the Shift key.
Usage: Ask a user to select an item, not highlight an item.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the name of the list box.
Example: Select your screen resolution from the <guilabel>resolution</guilabel>.
menubar
Description: The bar at the top of an application that has several menus with various commands.
Usage: Use "menubar" (one word) rather than "menu bar."
DocBook Tags: Use no tags for a menubar, but use the <guimenu></guimenu> tags for the name of a menu.
Example: Select <guimenuitem>Save As</guimenuitem> from the <guimenu>File</guimenu> menu of the menubar.
menu item
Description: An item of a menu.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guimenuitem></guimenuitem> tags.
Example: Select the <guimenuitem>About</guimenuitem> item from the <guimenu>Help</guimenu> menu.
option
Description: A parameter that can be on or off, usually represented by a check box.
Usage: You "select" an option.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the name of the option.
Example: Select the <guilabel>Open in new window</guilabel> option if you want the image to open in a new window.
popup menu
Description: A menu that appears when you right-click or middle-click something. Also known as a context menu.
Usage: Use the term "popup menu", not "context menu" or "pop-up menu."
DocBook Tags: None.
Example: Right-click a word to display a popup menu.
radio button
Description: A selectable control, usually round, that is linked to other radio buttons. Only one radio button of a connected set may be selected at a time.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guilabel></guilabel> tag for the label of the radio button.
Example: Select the <guilabel>do not show</guilabel> option.
scrollbar
Description: A bar, usually on the right side of a control, that, when dragged, scrolls through the content of the control. Widely used for controls that display a lot of content, such as a web browser, text editor, or email client. Buttons are usually present at the top and bottom of the scrollbar as an alternative to dragging the scrollbar.
Usage: Use "scrollbar," not "scroll-bar" or "scroll bar."
DocBook Tags: None.
Example: Use the scrollbar to scroll through available commands.
slider
Description: A bar with an icon that can be dragged to select one of a range of things, such as text size. Almost exclusively used to select a volume.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the name of the scrollbar.
Example: If you do not hear any sound, use the <guilabel>volume</guilabel> slider to specify a louder volume.
spin box
Description: A text box with arrow buttons on the right side that can be used to select one of a range of options. The user may type into the spin box or use the arrow buttons to scroll through available options. Often used for numeric inputs.
DocBook Tags: Use the <guilabel></guilabel> tags for the name of the spin box.
Example: Use the <guilabel>font size</guilabel> spin box to specify the font size.
statusbar
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
submenu
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
tab
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
tabbed section
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
terminal
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
text box
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
titlebar
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
toolbar button
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
username
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
wallpaper
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
workspace
Description: description text here.
DocBook Tags: the docbook tag to use for this item
Example: an example of the term in use
User Actions
Select vs Highlight vs Choose
Select an item from a list. Choose an item from a menu. To choose a menu item, click on it.
Do not use "highlight" as a verb. Use it as a noun or adjective. The selected text is highlighted.
Deselect vs Unselect
Deselect an option. An option that is not selected is unselected.
Back Up vs Backup
Back up a file. A file that can be used to restore a lost file is a backup.