What is this site?
The Quadrotech Dictionary is a place where we can discuss new/problematic terms. We can share knowledge, resources, and definitions. And, ultimately, we can create a common language we can use to talk about our products and services.
Why do we need a dictionary?
Picture the following scene: You’re going to cook a simple bolognaise sauce and some pasta. You need to grab some ingredients. You’re told that you need pasta, basil, garlic, salt, pepper, tinned/canned tomatoes, and a few other things.
Let’s focus for a second on the basil.
Everyone knows what basil is, right? Well, sort of. There are many different kinds of basil. And, of course, there’s fresh and dried basil.
It’s important to know which kind of basil we’re talking about in the context of the recipe we’re making. If the recipe says 1 tablespoon basil, it will be a very different result if we use fresh versus dried basil. In other words, rather than simply saying we use basil in the recipe, we need to define whether we are talking about fresh or dried, and what kind of basil.
It’s exactly the same in our line of business. If we don’t have a clear definition of our ingredients, the resulting recipe (our software products, features, and services) will turn out different than we expect. We might think our customers know they need to use dried basil in the recipe, when they actually think they can use the cinnamon basil from their garden.
Status Indicators
As you browse the site, you’ll notice each term/definition has a status indicator icon. These icons show if the term/definition is verified, in review, or requires caution. Here’s how they look:
This displays next to terms/definitions that have been verified by a subject matter expert.
This displays next to terms/definitions that are in review. You might want to check the term’s definition again later, because there’s a chance the definition might change during the review process.
This displays next to terms/definitions that are problematic or contentious. If you’re in a customer-facing role, you might want to watch terms that have this icon, so you’re using correct terminology when talking to customers and partners.
You’ll see these status indicator icons throughout the site.
For example, here’s how they display when I’m looking at a page that lists terms related to administration:
Reminder: If you see something that’s missing or wrong:
+ Fix it! Reach out if you need to know how you can help create content.
+ Mention it! Comment on the thread under the term and someone will work on the update.
+ Add it! Click the button below and send a content suggestion. We’ll add it for you.