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

["Carol Chung" <cychung55 -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

Hi,

I feel pretty strongly that screenshots can really enhance documentation. I 
used to write text-only documents (with info that was considered practical 
by myself and others). However, I received feedback requesting more 
screenshots (for user and administrator oriented docs).

Also, for longer procedures, it helps to insert a screenshot as a 
check-point (to make sure that the user is in step with the instructions).

On a learning/psychological level, I believe screenshots or conceptual 
diagrams can help some people incorporate information faster than straight 
text. For myself, text with diagrams is more approachable than all text.

Interestingly, a co-worker just sent this link on "how non-programmers use 
documentation": http://www.advogato.org/article/374.html  (I don't know the 
author's credentials but some good points were made).

-hope that helps,
Carol Chung
www.tornadodevelopment.com


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