Re: Why use screen shots at all? [WAS Survey: "Screen shots"]

[CarolAnne -dot- Wall -at- minnesotamutual -dot- com]

To back Simon up:

A long time ago, in a financial institution far, far away, I wrote a
training/reference manual that had very few graphics (due to lack of time).
The users had trouble with it, said it was horrible, etc.
I added more graphics, but didn't change the words at all.  Suddenly I
became The World's Greatest Writer.  Fame, accolades, more work!
I've always made time to include screen shots, form examples, etc. since
then.

Carol Anne


Carol Anne T. Wall, FLMI
Technical Writer - Individual Business Technology, Minnesota Life Insurance
Company
carolanne -dot- wall -at- minnesotamutual -dot- com



                                                                                                                                  
                    "Simon North"                                                                                                 
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                    Sent by:                            cc:                                                                       
                    bounce-techwr-l-78352 -at- lists -dot- r       Subject:     Re: Why use screen shots at all? [WAS Survey: "Screen        
                    aycomm.com                           shots"]                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  
                    12/12/2001 07:12 AM                                                                                           
                    Please respond to "Simon                                                                                      
                    North"                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  




I wish I could cite the source for this (I'll keep looking), but I
read recently that a study suggested that screen shots serve a
purpose even when their content is completely useless.

Apparently, users scanning though (paper) manuals are encouraged by
lots of screen shots and start with a favourable attitude towards the
docs ...








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