Problem/Motivation
Coming from #1430452: Use Proper Name Case for core modules
On Comment #13 Michelle identified several bad and inconsistent capitalization examples in Drupal Core user interface and help text:
"Users with Use search permission can use the search block and Search page."
"Indexing behavior can be adjusted using the Search settings page. "
"The Search module includes a default Search form block, which can be enabled and configured on the Blocks administration page. The block is available to users with the Search content permission."
I'm sure there are more. We should make Core user interface text more consistent.
Proposed resolution
These three examples should probably be:
"Users with 'Use search' permission can use the search block and search page." (I think that 'Use search' is how the permission is displayed currently on the D7/8 Permissions page; if it's not that exactly, the text should be updated. For instance in d6 it should have been 'use search'.)
"Indexing behavior can be adjusted using the 'Search settings' page. " (And 'Search settings' should be a link to that page. Here I'm assuming that "Search settings" is the actual name of the page, which I haven't checked.)
"The Search module includes a default search form block, which can be enabled and configured on the Blocks administration page. The block is available to users with the 'Search content' permission."
Remaining tasks
Identify and fix other examples of bad capitalization in the Drupal Core user interface text.
User interface changes
Capitalization will be standardized:
When referring to a specific block, page, or permission, use the capitalization used on the blocks administration page, the page title, or the permission name shown on the Permissions page, respectively. Put the name used in quotes to set it off from the rest of the text. If this is in hook_help() text, make page titles into links to the page, and make permission names into links to the appropriate anchor/section on the Permissions page.
Alternatively, if you don't think it merits capitalization and quotes or a link, use all lower-case (e.g., you could refer to the "search page" or the "search block", without the quotes). Keep in mind that this is not as specific as referring to the exact item, so the first form is probably preferred in most cases, especially in help text where you can provide a link.
API changes
None.
Comments
Comment #1
jhodgdonMaybe we should discuss this as a standard before trying to fix it?
Comment #2
jcisio commentedPosted by jcisio on February 10, 2012 at 9:15am
Posted by Michelle on February 10, 2012 at 3:08pm
Comment #3
jcisio commentedMichelle, I don't care about what it is currently. I propose that in general:
But also:
In italic is what I didn't write in the old issue. Because it made Michelle trouble, so I explicitely write it now.
Comment #4
michelle@jcisio: My comment was only to clarify. The way you worded it, it sounded, to me, like you were referring to how things were now and I wanted to confirm that you actually meant this was how you felt it should be handled.
I'm not really sure where I stand on this issue, to be honest. I mean, it makes sense to me to capitalize when you essentially making a possessive. As in, "Activate the Search block" = "Activate Search's block" = "Activate the block provided by the Search Module". But it's such a grey area and I can see it being argued that "search block" is a generic thing and the module proper name is actually only implied. As in, "Activate the search block provided by the Search Module".
So put me down as leaning towards a +1 for capitals in these instances but not a total -1 against lowercase if more people prefer that since it's not a black and white issue.
Michelle
Comment #5
jhodgdonI put a proposed standard in the User Interface Changes section of the issue summary above. Any comments on that?
This would be an addition to the capitalization standards on
http://drupal.org/node/604342
which by the way say to use "Sentence case" for page names (and presumably block names too).
Comment #6
jhodgdonJust to be clear, this proposed standard and patch are probably only for user interface text. Not, for instance for documentation blocks (or at least not as urgently).
Comment #7
batigolixThe proposed standard looks good to me.
I added it to the UI text guidelines
Let's start the Hunt for the Improper Capitalized User Interface Strings!
Comment #8
greta_drupal commentedThere is great inconsistency of punctuation as well. Needs standardization of case (sentence, uppercase, or lowercase) and punctuation (incomplete sentences v. complete sentences). I also noticed a lack of parallel construction throughout. Some lists begin with a verb for some items, and noun or even article for others. E.g., Modules page
User text interface on the node form, options section, does not match those same options on the Content page filter dropdown.
E.g., "Promote to front page", "Publish", etc.
NOTE: Use present tense for all: promote, publish, pin {a/k/a 'make sticky'}...
Comment #9
jhodgdonSo... This issue is very old, and was forgotten.
We've been working on improving the UI text and generally making it more consistent on
#2499495: [meta] Review UI text for D8 core modules
so marking this one as a duplicate.