Re: Advocating Documentation and Support

[Jeff Hanvey <techwriter -at- jewahe -dot- net>]

Reading the "Talkbacks" has also been enlightening, especially about the way that programmers and engineers feel about documentation:



One person, for example, says, "None. Caveat Emptor. If you lack the brains to figure it out, don't buy it, or hire someone to do it. Geez."



Another says:



"When you buy a car, does the dealer throw in a week's refresher course on how to use the car's new features? 



"When you buy a VCR, does the merchant stop and offer you a free lesson on how to program it? 



"When you buy a house, does the seller or the realtor offer to come fix the first 3 problems you encounter for free?" 



Another point that was made is that users seldom read the manual: they will call to ask even the simplest things. What does this say about our profession and how can we change this perception?

_____________________________________________________________
Jeff Hanvey: http://www.jewahe.net

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