Re: FW: Re: Definition of wizard - from "Alice in Wonderland"???

[Edwin Skau <eddy -dot- skau -at- gmail -dot- com>]

>
> Is there, for instance, some idea that a wizard ought to set you up
> with something workable at the end of the process, even though you are
> totally clueless - that it gives you defaults and simple yes / no questions,
> that it is a mini-expert system?

Something like that. Wizards essentially automate a batch of user
tasks and have embedded instructions that are triggered by user input.

While documentation takes the horse to the water, wizards attempt to

For example, using an installation wizard usually (if implemented
well) obviates the need for an installation manual. All (or most)
instructions are embedded as automated diagnostics, batch processes,
dialogs, prompts and commentary on task progress.


>
> Or is it a flexible series of dialog boxes that can respond to whatever
> answers
> you put in - you put in .gif, it gives you the correct dialog for a
> graphic; you
> put in .doc, it gives you the correct dialog for text?
>

That behavior is not necessarily specific to wizards.

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