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Subject:RE: how to list items From:"Lisa Wright" <liwright -at- earthlink -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 12 Mar 2004 10:10:04 -0800
Sean,
I don't think you need research. I've had this drilled into my head too many
times to ignore (on this list and others). Describe it as the user sees it.
That provides a common point of recognition so they don't have to go through
another mental process to figure out if your text really relates to what
they're seeing on the screen.
The frustrating point, of course, is that the order changes in dev. Maybe
you could ask dev to put them in alphabetical order? Explain that the
continuing order change is causing you problems. Or just find out what if
any logic goes into the order. If none, they'll probably be receptive.
Lisa
-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-53104 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-53104 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com] On Behalf Of Sean Hower
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 8:28 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: how to list items
<snip>
I choose to alphabetize because it's a way to order things that everyone
should be familiar with and it avoids any changes that may occur as the
application continues to develop. The suggestions to list them in the order
that they appear in the interface was made because users will see the order
in the interface and then expect those items to appear in that order in the
reference material.
So, which is the better way to list this kind of information? Which is
generally better to list reference information in general?
Can anyone point to any research on listing information?
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