!
Never use exclamation marks.
&
Avoid using ampersands outside brand names, trademarks, formal titles, or in logotypes, (e.g., Ogilvy & Mather, Standard & Poor).
%
Use % when dealing with numerals. Use "percent" when the numbers are written out.
Example: 5%. 10%. The stock is up five percent on the month.
32 bit, 64 bit
No hyphens
affect
Verb, to influence
Effect - verb, to cause; noun, result
among
Among introduces more than two items, between introduces two items.
Example: The funds were divided among Ford, Carter, and McCarthy.
antivirus
One word. Do not use AV as an abbreviation.
appliance
Sophos appliances (but Sophos Email Appliance/Sophos Web Appliance)
back end
Example: The new back end is great.
back-end
Example: The back-end processor is powerful.
BlackBerry, BlackBerrys
Not BlackBerries or Blackberry
blacklist
Use in preference to block list.
complimentary
A compliment, with an i, is a kind or flattering remark. If a friend says he likes your new shoes, he’s giving you a compliment.
Example:
The CEO complimented the staff on their efforts. He made complimentary remarks about their recent work.
complementary
A complement, with an e, is a full crew or a set, and when something complements something else, it means they go well together. You might talk about a picture frame that complements a photo or the crew complement needed to operate a ship.
Example: Enjoy the complementary drinks.
Sophos Clean complements Sophos Endpoint Protection.
day zero
Use zero day (no caps, hyphen if adjective); do not use 0-day.
data loss
Not data leakage
Distributed denial-of-service attack
e.g.
Write e.g. in lowercase and follow it with a comma. When giving an example, use e.g.
Use i.e. if you need to give further explanation (i.e., to explain a point you’ve made already in more depth).
email
One word, no hyphen
Enterprise Manager
Not EM
etc.
Write in lowercase and always follow it with a period
Example: Serial, parallel, USB, IEEE 1394, etc.
every day
Not everyday, unless as an adjective
Example: Everyday occurrences happen every day.
fake antivirus
Not Fake AV, not fake anti-virus
farther
Use farther to talk about distance, and use further to talk about time or amount.
Example: Paris is farther north than Barcelona. (Distance)
This year, we’re further along in the development cycle. (Time)
fewer
Use less when you’re talking about things you can’t count individually; use fewer with objects you can count one-by-one.
Example: There were fewer attacks this month.
There was less activity in the first half of the year.
focused, focusing
One ‘s’
four-color process
Not 4-color process
full-strength
If preceding a noun
front-end
Adjective
Example: front-end interface
help desk
Use as two words
Example: Call the help desk for further information.
i.e.
Use it if you need to give further explanation (i.e., to explain a point you’ve made already in more depth). Write i.e. in lowercase and follow it with a comma. To give an example, use e.g. instead.
internet
No capitalization
knowledgebase
One word
Example: Sophos support knowledgebase
left-hand
Adjective; not left hand
license
Verb (U.K./AU); noun and verb (U.S.)
Ltd./ Inc.
Use abbreviation always. Don’t use Limited.
Example: Sophos Ltd.
mid-size business
Use mid-size business, not medium-sized business
more than
Use “more than” to discuss numbers, never “over”
next-gen firewall
Hyphenate “next-gen” when followed by a noun
Partner
Example: Sophos Partner
Our partners (only when using Sophos before partner)
Plc
For Sophos; most other companies use plc or PLC - use their preference
popup
Use as one word
Example: A popup window opens
practice
Noun in U.K.; noun and verb in U.S.
pull-down
Noun and adjective
real-time
Adjective; otherwise real time
Example: A real-time transaction. He updated it in real time.
right-hand
Adjective; not right hand
Sophos Antivirus
Not Sophos Anti-Virus or SAV
standalone
Adjective; when used after a verb, stand alone is two words
Example: A standalone computer; they stand alone.
system requirements
Use this phrase when referring to software. If referring to hardware use “technical specifications.”
technical specifications
Use this phrase when referring to hardware. If referring to software use “system requirements.”