Re: TECHWR-L Digest, Vol 12, Issue 10
From: Nancy Allison <maker -at- verizon -dot- net>" I'd like to be able to explain why it's a bad idea for a company to
develop a product's functions first, before thinking about the user
interface (or documentation).
… the developers have created very powerful functions, with the
strangest user interface you have ever seen… tools are scattered
around the interface in no discernible order; different
buttons lead to confusingly similar drop-down lists and directories,
with no clear indication of what you can or can't do in each area.
It's a geek's paradise, and a total mess. The lead developer said to
me, "Oh, we'll fix the UI later."<
I agree with you that creating a mock GUI before coding the software,
would greatly help both the tasks of creating the software and
creating the documentation for it.
I have been looking for a tool that would allow you to create a quick
mock GUI and have not yet found one.
The closest that I have come to is VB6 and Visual Studio6 combination
where you can drag and drop the GUI elements on a form without
bothering to code them further. VC++ does not give you the same
functionality with the same ease, though; ultimately the same
functionality can be achieved.
What has been the experience of others? What has worked and what do
you recommend to avoid?
Regards
Ashok
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Easily create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to any popular Help file format or printed documentation. Learn more at http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot-
To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40infoinfocus.com
To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
Follow-Ups:
- Prototyping interfaces?, Geoff Hart
- Prototyping tools, Will Sansbury
Previous by Author:
Re: How is the Austin TX Market for Tech Writers?
Next by Author:
Re: Prototyping interfaces?
Previous by Thread:
RE: OS 9 Applications on Tiger
Next by Thread:
Prototyping interfaces?
Search our Technical Writing Archives & Magazine
Visit TechWhirl's Other Sites
Sponsored Ads