You may not realize it, but styleguides are an important part of journalism. They help all writers for a publication use the same grammar rules and technical terms, to keep things nice and tidy. We have one at The Next Web and now we’re sharing it with you.
@TNWstyle is a new Twitter account in the mold of similar efforts from the Associated Press and the Guardian. We’ll share regular tips about how we guide our writers; the terms, grammar and spellings we use for technical terms and divisive issues…
The internet should be capped down as it is now like gas or water – a utility. The World Wide Web (and Web) should be capped up, however.
— TNW Styleguide (@TNWstyle) August 29, 2015
Use Adblocking / adblockers: NOT ad-blocking, ad-blockers, ad blocking or ad blockers (there's no consensus, we picked one and went with it)
— TNW Styleguide (@TNWstyle) August 29, 2015
The idea for this account came from a discussion on Twitter last week when I suggested that it should be ‘userbase’ not ‘user base,’ and ‘videogames’ rather than ‘video games.’ A debate ensued and I realised just how fun it is to discuss these terms as technology and language evolve.
I don’t think this account will get millions of followers, but if you’re interested in the way technology is written about, follow @TNWstyle. Please join in and share your opinion of whether you think we’re right or wrong on our choices. You never know, you might change our minds!
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