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Subject:Re: Starting a new project From:"Dick Margulis" <margulis -at- mail -dot- fiam -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 14 Feb 2001 12:01:17 -0500
Jason,
You could begin the unified manual with a short How this Manual is Organized preface. In it you could include a diagram that shows users how to navigate the manual, depending on where they want to end up.
Within the body of the manual, you can simply refer people to the relevant chapter for each function, rather than repeat the chapter.
I think that for now it makes sense to organize the chapters into two sections, according to which application the functions reside in, but with a view toward eventually integrating the chapters into one continuous section when the applications are fully integrated.
Dick
Jason Logue wrote:
>I'm getting ready to start work on a new manual that will combine
>information from two manuals. The one manual will be for two software
>packages that are slowly being integrated into one fully integrated software
>package. The problem, at least for documentation purposes, is that both
>packages have the same main menu screen, log on screen and a few others, but
>after a point they are completely different packages. However, they have
>integration buttons and menu features that enable the user to jump back and
>forth between software packages.
>
>My question and/or concern is concerning whether I should split the manual
>in half or not. Some chapters are going to be redundant if I do that,
>though. If anyone has any design plans, flow charts, or general
>suggestions, I'd appreciate the assistance. If you need more detail
>concerning my project, let me know.
>
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