MetaChat - Argh -- I need help with the language.

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04 April 2007

Argh -- I need help with the language. →[More:]

I'm writing a really boring report on how different mental health facilities track corrective actions taken against them.

I'm trying to say this: Some facilities use a computerized tracking system, while others track the plans of correction on paper [or in hard-copy].

I don't like "on paper," though, and "hard copy" implies that there's also an electronic version. The only other word I can think of is "manually," but that doesn't quite get it right either.

What's a better way to say it?

Brain. Muddled. Too much. Boring. Information.

post by: mudpuppie at: 14:51 | 13 comments

'in print?'

posted by jonmc 04 April | 14:53

we say "in a paper format" in our office. Probabaly not better than "on paper" though.

posted by small_ruminant 04 April | 14:55

I would go with 'in paper format.'

posted by viachicago 04 April | 15:02

I might say "...while others use a paper-based system." You could throw in a "traditional paper-based system", depending on what point you're trying to make.

posted by chrismear 04 April | 15:06

"by hand"

posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson 04 April | 15:11

I like "manual." Maybe, "Some facilities use a computerized tracking system, while others rely on a manual system" or "Some facilities use a computerized tracking system, while others use manual plans for tracking their corrections."

(Truthfully, I think "track the plans of correction" is the awkward part, and it's probably throwing off anything else you stick in there. Not that "tracking their corrections" is much better.)

posted by occhiblu 04 April | 15:29

"in hard copy only"

posted by JanetLand 04 April | 15:37

(Truthfully, I think "track the plans of correction" is the awkward part, and it's probably throwing off anything else you stick in there. Not that "tracking their corrections" is much better.)

Yeah, but "plans of corrections" is the clunky bureaucratic term for what they're tracking. It's abbreviated elsewhere as "POCs", but I figured I needed to spell it out for youse guys.

Thanks for the help -- I'm leaning toward "paper-based system" or "by hand."

posted by mudpuppie 04 April | 15:41

Sigh. I figured as much. Gotta love bureaucrat-ese. :)

posted by occhiblu 04 April | 15:49

Could you say something like "...while others track their plans using paper charts?" or "charts on paper?" or whatever it may be that's on the paper? A concrete noun would help.

posted by Miko 04 April | 20:23

A concrete noun would help if they all used the same method. Some of them use a mysterious "matrix." Some use an equally mysterious "log." Some use "Proof Books."

I think these are all code words for "We sort of write stuff down, but hey, then we put it in a binder and forget about it."

posted by mudpuppie 04 April | 21:24

How about: "A blizzard of indistingishable post-it notes, scattered and reassembled in the manner of William S. Burroughs, but with less intention and method"

posted by Triode 04 April | 22:49

THAT'S IT!!!

posted by mudpuppie 04 April | 23:03

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