Thread: associated vs linked

If there are documents that have some sort of... connection between them (like there is procedure and instructions to the procedure), which word would you say is more accurate? Would you call it associated documents, or rather linked documents?
What is basically the difference between linked and associated documents?

Also, is it correct to say "put the document to use"? Or is it "put the document into circulation"? I mean if you have been working on a document, and then you want to make it available to be used.

Thank you in advance!

Originally Posted by kamilion

If there are documents that have some sort of... connection between them (like there is procedure and instructions to the procedure), which word would you say is more accurate? Would you call it associated documents, or rather linked documents?
What is basically the difference between linked and associated documents?

I think 'linked' is more correct here. As for the difference, consider these examples: a file association is established when files with a certain extension (i.e. txt) are associated with some application (i.e. notepad.exe). Here we would say that text files are associated with notepad. Links establish more firm a connection, i.e. hyperlinks when files are 'physically' or 'logically' linked one to another.

Originally Posted by kamilion

Also, is it correct to say "put the document to use"? Or is it "put the document into circulation"? I mean if you have been working on a document, and then you want to make it available to be used.

Hmm, does 'publish' fit?

Originally Posted by Ramil

Hmm, does 'publish' fit?

I'm not quite sure, I need something similar to включить в оборот.

Thanks for explaining the assocciated vs linked thingy

It's a question of terminology. You can say 'put into circulation' if you want or 'make active' depending on what user is really doing. Usually such things (the status of a document) are explained in the documentation.

I'm not certain how you would be distributing the document... you might say:

"Attached is the new version of "X" please replace any prior versions and distribute to your staff."

or

"Attached is the new "X" form. Please distribute this to your staff."

Make certain if this is a new version, you put the month/year on the bottom as a footer so people know that they are using the correct form like:

LS-561 (06/09)
(Rev. 12/0

Originally Posted by rockzmom

I'm not certain how you would be distributing the document... you might say:

"Attached is the new version of "X" please replace any prior versions and distribute to your staff."

or

"Attached is the new "X" form. Please distribute this to your staff."

Make certain if this is a new version, you put the month/year on the bottom as a footer so people know that they are using the correct form like:

LS-561 (06/09)
(Rev. 12/0

I don't think attached would've worked for this one.
I meant it like when you prepare some sort of documents on your own, then you "put them into circulation", so that they could be approved/worked on/etc. by other users of the system, and eventually - become valid.

Thank you both for your help

Originally Posted by kamilion

I don't think attached would've worked for this one.
I meant it like when you prepare some sort of documents on your own, then you "put them into circulation", so that they could be approved/worked on/etc. by other users of the system, and eventually - become valid.

Thank you both for your help

How are you distributing the document? Is it "attached" to an email or "attached" to a memo that explains the document? Or are you just distributing the document without giving any information about it?

Attached and Distribute are the correct word IF you are using email or paper distribution.

Circulation is not the word that one would usually use (American English).