The terminology of linked staves
"Linked", in the expression "linked staves", actually means "change the notation on one and the other automatically follows suit." But it appears that a number of users could be interpreting "linked" as meaning "shares the same instrument".
Therefore, I'd like to suggest replacing the term "linked" with something more precise (e.g. "Two-way," "Mutually updating," "Mutually translating," etc.).
Comments
I don't think a button should have the great American novel printed on it when there is a precise way to indicate what it does. Add linked Staff is very clear to me, a native English speaker. What would be nice is if pressing F1 while the instruments dialog was opened did something, like open the manual's page for editing instruments.
I wrote the OP after reading https://musescore.org/en/node/311588. The original poster, andrushkkutza, comments, "… the “linked” term is ambiguous and creates confusion. I recommend you to use the term “mirror staff …"
IMV, "Mirror staff" is a better term because not only does it define the function of the staff better, but also avoids the ambiguity associated with the term "linked" which was being misunderstood by some as referring to any staff that shares a common instrument.
I would like to see the wording in the Instruments dialog adjusted accordingly. E.g.
The latter change may initially raise a few eyebrows but, IMV, the term "linked" in the new context is an apt descriptor.
In reply to I wrote the OP after reading… by geetar
Naming of Things is fraught with difficulties.
I agree that "linked staff" is not specific enough to convey what the staff does or how it can be used. However, the suggested alternatives also have their own difficulties:
"Mirror" has connotations of "reflection". A "mirror staff" might be interpreted as one that is read from right to left or perhaps with low pitches at the top and high pitches at the bottom.
"Two-way" staff might be interpreted in a number of unintended ways - readable backwards and forwards? readable upside down? providing some sort of "divisi" functionality?
Getting down to the nitty-gritty of what the [insert name here] staff does: it provides an additional alternative view of the staff it is associated with. So, my suggestion for a name is "Alternative view". I suggest that "staff" is not included in the name so that its use for additional TAB notation is somewhat clearer.
FWIW, the term "linked" comes also from both Sibelius and Finale, although they use it in different ways and also use other terms. Point being, it's pretty well-established in the industry and really isn't a great idea for us to try to reinvent the wheel here.