Re: documenting GUI components that are not labelled

[Michael Oboryshko <obie1121 -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

Here are some tactics that have actually worked for me in the
past.

1. Assume a label. If the box where you type your name is not
labeled, just refer to it as the Name box in your documentation.
This is my favorite solution. Probably nobody will even notice.

2. Tell it like it is. For example, write: "Type your name in
that unlabeled box just north of the Address box."  Then send
your doc in for review by management, and let *them* tell the
developers to use labels.

3. Finesse it.  For example, suppose there is an unlabeled
dropdown list containing all 50 states, right next to a text box
labelled "ZIP Code."  You might be able to tap-dance around the
problem with something like "Enter your state and ZIP code."

Regards,
Mike O.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of
your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com
or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Be a published author!  iUniverse gives you: a high-quality paperback, a
custom cover design, and distribution to 25,00 retailers.  And it's
affordable.  Join our alomst 10,000 published authors today.
http://www.iuniverse.com/media/techwr

  Your monthly sponsorship message here reaches more than
  5000 technical writers, providing 2,500,000+ monthly impressions.
  Contact Eric (ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com) for details and availability.

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot-  Visit 
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.