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Subject:Excellent documentation -- found some From:kanerb -at- concentric -dot- net To:"techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- co" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 12 Apr 2000 09:37:07 -0700
Someone recently asked for examples of "senior tech writer-level" docs
available online. Most people wrote back to discuss the senior-level thing,
but I don't recall anyone mentioning any specific doc sets that they thought
were great, which is what the writer was really looking for. Well, I have
come across some, although they aren't available online.
It's the doc set for Visio 2000 (Professional Edition), the flowcharting
tool. The online Help system is terrific and the 150-page User Guide really
does a great job of getting a novice started. I'm sure either one would be
an award-winner. There's also a trifold Quick Reference card.
I've been most appreciative of these docs as I've been learning this tool.
The Help does contain one of my pet peeves -- the phrase "do one of the
following:" Yuck. But that's inconsequential. I've consistently been able to
find the instructions I need, they're easy to understand, and the
design/format aids comprehension.
BTW, Visio does much more than flowcharting these days. It comes with lots
of templates for different uses. You can use it to create storyboards that
design an entire user interface, or a product demo, a web site, etc.
Beth Kane
Senior Communications Specialist
PersonalGenie Inc.
California & Arizona
kanerb -at- concentric -dot- net
