Basically, I agree, Paul. We may be saying the same thing, essentially. That is, I don't tell them that a jack is a "thingy" or anything else. I do often say, "this "L" shaped piece is called the jack..." And ever after it is simply the jack. So yes, I explain, but I do so using proper nomenclature. As you say, though, only as much as a client wants. As the eyes glaze, my explanations shorten.<div> </div><div>William R. Monroe <div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 8:20 AM, Paul T Williams <<a href="mailto:pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu">pwilliams4@unlnotes.unl.edu</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">I don't know, William. I can't usually read the Dr.'s writing ;>). But like Wim, I explain in layman's terms, but write up in proper nomenclature. If the customer seems interested, I'll show them what a jack is, or a damper wire, or whatever I worked on. Most people just want it to work and I can tell if I'm talking to a brick wall pretty fast, now, after 20 years in this biz. Paul <table width="100%"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td>From: </td><td>William Monroe <<a href="mailto:bill@a440piano.net" target="_blank">bill@a440piano.net</a>> </td></tr><tr valign="top"> <td>To: </td><td><a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" target="_blank">pianotech@ptg.org</a> </td></tr><tr valign="top"> <td>Date: </td><td>11/17/2011 08:13 AM </td></tr><tr valign="top"> <td>Subject: </td><td>Re: [pianotech] nomenclature</td></tr></tbody></table> <hr noshade> Does your doctor write a prescription in layman's terms? Use intelligent language that says what you really mean, and give an explanation if necessary. I carry labelled upright and grand action diagrams for my curious clients. In other words, I try to educate my clients, rather than dumb down my presentation. William R. Monroe </blockquote></div> </div>