N
- name server
Two words.
- narrowband
One word.
- native
In user materials, avoid using native to describe apps; instead, describe the apps as being designed to work with specific hardware or software.
For best performance, use an app designed for use on Intel-based Mac computers.
- network
Computers are on, not in, a network.
- network time server
Note lowercase.
- neurodivergence (n.), neurodivergent (adj.)
Use neurodivergence to refer to a neurological difference (such as dyslexia). Use neurodivergent to refer to an individual who identifies as having a neurodivergence.
A few examples of neurodivergence include ADHD, dyslexia, and autism.
Some people are born with a neurodivergence.
A neurodivergent person brings unique strengths to the workplace.
Use neurotypical to refer to a person who isn’t neurodivergent.
See also autism (n.), autistic (adj.); neurodiversity (n.), neurodiverse (adj.); Writing about disability.
- neurodiversity (n.), neurodiverse (adj.)
Use neurodiversity to refer to the range of natural variation in neurocognitive function (the way people think and process information). Use neurodiverse to refer to a group of people who have a variety of neurocognitive styles.
Researchers have learned more about neurodiversity.
The school has a neurodiverse student body.
Don’t refer to a single individual as neurodiverse; use neurodivergent.
See also autism (n.), autistic (adj.); neurodivergence (n.), neurodivergent (adj.); Writing about disability.
- new
In most documents, avoid describing a product or feature as new because the text will quickly become out of date. When appropriate, state the version of software in which a feature was introduced.
Correct: Auto Unlock, introduced with macOS Sierra 10.12…
Incorrect: The new Auto Unlock feature…
- News
See Apple News.
- newsgroup
One word.
- nickel-metal-hydride
Abbreviated NiMH. See also batteries.
- non (prefix)
Close up except before a proper noun, a proper adjective, an abbreviation, or an acronym, or when the resulting word would be difficult to read.
noncompliant, nondestructive, nonstandard
non-Apple, non-Mac, non-USB
See also prefixes.
- nonce
Don’t use to refer to a random, one-time value used to protect against a replay attack; use anti-replay value. See also anti-replay value.
- nonsexist language
See Writing inclusively.
- nonstartup disk
Avoid when possible. Instead, use a disk that doesn’t contain system software or another appropriate phrase.
- normal installation
Not normal install. Users perform a normal installation; they don’t do a normal install. See also custom installation.
- normal user
See standard user.
- Note
Use the Note tag for information that’s relevant to a topic but that may not apply to all readers. You can also use a note for a bit of information that’s tangential to a topic.
Use notes and other notices sparingly. They lose their effectiveness if they appear too often. Don’t use a Note tag immediately before or after a Warning notice, an Important notice, or another note, or immediately after a text heading.
- notebook computer
Don’t use; use laptop or laptop computer. See also laptop.
- notes, Notes
Use lowercase to refer to notes the user creates. Capitalize when referring to the app name.
You can use the Notes app to share notes with friends and family.
- Notification Center
Don’t precede with the.
To open Notification Center, click the date and time in the menu bar.
- number
If space is limited, abbreviate as no. See also number sign.
- numbers
Spell out the following numbers:
Cardinal numbers from one through nine. (However, use a numeral, no matter how small, to express numbers as numbers and as units of measure.)
You can use your purchases on up to five computers.
For example, if you have four new messages, the number 4 appears on the app icon.
Ordinal numbers from zero through nine.
You can install drives in the second, third, and fourth drive bays.
Numbers that appear at the beginning of a sentence. (Try to rephrase to avoid starting a sentence with a number.)
Correct: Two hundred fifty functions are available in the Function Browser.
Preferable: The Function Browser gives you access to 250 functions.
A number that appears next to another number, if it helps readability.
There are sixteen 32-bit registers.
Use numerals:
To refer to numbers as numbers.
The numeral 8 occurs eight times.
To refer to a specific address, bit, byte, chapter, field, key, pin, sector, slot, or track, or when expressing amounts of memory.
Open the ejectors on slots 1, 2, and 3.
8-pin minicircular connector
Your Mac Pro comes with a minimum of 16 GB of memory.
To form ordinal numbers larger than nine (add st, nd, rd, or th to the numeral as appropriate).
For numbers of the same category within a paragraph, if any number is larger than nine.
We have 25 computers and 4 printers on the network. [Computers and printers are the same category.]
There are two kinds of 32-bit registers. [Kinds of registers and bits are different categories.]
For units of measure, including units of time, no matter how small the number is. For a list of units of measure, see Names and unit symbols for units of measure.
Set the timer for 3 minutes.
Apple Music 1 is a worldwide radio station that’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can’t set paragraph margins of less than 1 inch.
If you increase the clip’s speed to 200 percent, Final Cut Pro removes frames and the clip plays back in only 2.5 seconds.
To express an approximation.
Cocoa includes definitions for more than 250 additional classes.
Follow these additional guidelines for numbers:
Ranges of numbers: Use an en dash between numbers that represent the endpoints of a continuous range: bits 3–17. Use the full concluding number in a range of numbers.
Correct: 2013–2019
Incorrect: 2013–19
Commas: Use a comma to set off numbers of five digits or more. (If your editor has asked you to follow international style, see Decimals.)
1024
65,536
Don’t use a comma in memory addresses or in numbers representing microprocessors.
$FFFF FFFF
68020 microprocessor
Plural: Form the plural of a number by adding an s.
1s and 5s
the ’90s
Software version numbers: When you refer to software version numbers, use later and earlier. For example, macOS 10.13 or later. See also version number.
Code values in text: Use numerals for numeric values in text except for zero in the same sentence as nonzero.
ord(blue)returns 0.The function
fseekreturns nonzero for improper seeks; otherwise, it returns zero.Large numbers: For very large numbers that are a power of 2, you can use the exponential form to avoid a long string of digits—for example, 232. Numbers larger than 65,536 (216) are good candidates for showing in exponential form. If there are numbers larger and smaller than 65,536 in the same discussion, show the smaller numbers both ways.
x must be between 1024 (210) and 232.
See also fractions.
- number sign
Use to describe this character: #. Don’t use pound sign or number symbol. Avoid using the number sign to specify an item in a numbered series.
You can frequently omit number or the number sign from a sentence and still make the meaning clear.
See document 58677 for more information.
Use part 661-2262 to repair the computer.
- numeric (adj.)
Not numerical, except when you refer specifically to numerical order. See also numerics (n., adj.).
- numeric keypad
Can be shortened to keypad. Don’t use numerical keypad or numeric keyboard.
- numerics (n., adj.)
As a noun, numerics takes a singular verb. Use numerics (not numeric) as an adjective in relation to the science of numerics: numerics capabilities, numerics environment.
- NVIDIA
Note spelling.