Typos on LM "About" page

[ander111]

Hey guys,

I noticed that this entry on Mint's About page (linuxmint.com/about.php):

It's safe and reliable. Thanks to a conservative approach to software updates, a unique Update Manager and the robustness of its Linux architecture,

...had some typos:

• The period after "reliable" makes the rest of the entry an incomplete sentence. Instead, you can replace the period with a comma and un-capitalize "Thanks".

• With the sentence combined, a comma after "Manager" helps readability.

• The final comma should be a period.

Thus:

It's safe and reliable, thanks to a conservative approach to software updates, a unique Update Manager, and the robustness of its Linux architecture.

If you wished, you could simplify it a bit, and even add an exciting long dash (woo!):

It's safe and reliable—thanks to conservative software updates, a unique Update Manager, and its robust Linux architecture.

Cheers!

[ander111]

Okay, I live in a small town, and it's been a slow day... Still, though. ☺️

[clem]

Thanks! All fixed.

[sleeper12]

If we are going to be picky, there's really no need for a comma after Manager.

[RollyShed]

If we are going to be picky, there's really no need for a comma after Manager.

Correct. An "and" acts the way a comma does, i.e. "The X, Y, Z and W are all letters."

[SMG]

If we are going to be picky, there's really no need for a comma after Manager.

Do you write for AP? AP style guide leaves it out, however, Chicago requires it.

This is what is commonly known as a serial comma or an "Oxford comma". Per Scribbler, here are the recommendations for when it is or is not to be used. The answer is it depends on for whom you are writing. You'll notice websites are not on the list so I think Clem gets to decide.

[sleeper12]

Well, I suppose one can make a case for or against most anything. I don't remember ever learning of a serial comma in school, but I'm old (70). And no, I don't write for AP or anyone.

[ander111]

Interesting observations! I love discussing this stuff, and am glad you don't mind. (My wife would have other ideas. 😏 )

As a tech writer, I focus on concision and readability. I'm a fan of omitting so-called "Oxford commas", which often seem included out of obligation rather than need. But in this sentence:

It's safe and reliable—thanks to conservative software updates, a unique Update Manager, and its robust Linux architecture.

...I agree, the comma after "Manager" makes it clear that the rest of the sentence refers to LM, not the Manager. Most people would get that anyway—but the less mental processing required, the better (especially in a list, which should be as concise as possible to work well).

Cheers!

[rene]

Interesting observations! I love discussing this stuff, and am glad you don't mind. (My wife would have other ideas. )

I like your wife.

[rickNS]

Question, what's worse than the grammar police? Answer, just about nothing.

Yes, it must have been a slow day, for knit-picking such things when the meaning is clearly known to all is just blanking blank.

Please don't read anything I write as I don't much care about whether I am 100% correct to an English professor, as long as it's readable. Not being paid by the word, and I have bigger things to worry about.

Lastly, and frankly having a period, or a comma after reliable just plain looks better than that double dash, which may be more correct, but does not improve readability.

[ander111]

I like your wife.

Yes, and it’s amazing she likes me anyway, ain’t it? 🤷

Question, what's worse than the grammar police? Answer, just about nothing.

You probably meant “Answer: Just about nothing”, but I’m not going to say that as it’d be too, you know, spectrum-y.

Yes, it must have been a slow day, for knit-picking such things when the meaning is clearly known to all is just blanking blank...

Indeed—and 99% of the time I do ignore such things. But see, Mint is so great, I want it to look as good as possible—including to some of the über-picky computer peeps I’ve known (and it’s been a pleasure nonetheless, really), as I know they'd deeply dig Mint, but some of them (incorrectly) connect such trivial things as website copy with software quality. So in this case, my motives are good 'n' Minty.

Please don't read anything I write as I don't much care about whether I am 100% correct to an English professor, as long as it's readable. Not being paid by the word, and I have bigger things to worry about.

Wisely put! Content creation is always most important—and you can't do that when you're worried about details. When I write music, documentation or creative copy, I try to turn off my editor brain completely. Going back and touching stuff up is just like the janitor coming in and sweeping after the work's done. (No offense to any janitors reading this... It's just a metaphor.)

Lastly, and frankly having a period, or a comma after reliable just plain looks better than that double dash, which may be more correct, but does not improve readability.

I won’t even go back and look at what you referred to, as I trust your judgment. ☺️👍