RE: Numbered headings?
>>>I fail to see how say "2.3. Using the Interface" is better than simply
writing "Using the Interface". And if you ask me, it's worse. The number is
clutter containing no useful information.
Actually, it may tell you a lot. As it is 2.3 and not 2, you know it's a
subsection. If the sections are 1, 2, 3, 4 and each section covers a different
part of the program, it may be that each part has a different interface. If each
section has a #.3 subsection describing using the interface then you can
actually use this information when looking through the TOC, Index, or paging
through the manual.
Eric L. Dunn
And it is cluttered.
Structure to a document can be shown using numbering, it can also be shown visually with layout.
Referring to a heading is complicated because if it is a physical (printed) document, you need the page number more that the heading numbering. Once on the page the text description (heading text) is more recognizable that numbers.
Numbering headings down past two level is often counter-productive, as is numbering when the numbers reach obtuse lengths such as having more than two digits throughout the number (2.13.2.23). Then you have users encountering problems when they mis-read and instead go to 2.13.23.3.
Any way you look at it, the layout must support the information. Numbers by themselves do not impart a lot of information. You have to tailor your schema to meet your objective.
Remember that last part.
Scott
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