RE: Graphics vs Text

[Evelyn Lee Barney <evbarney -at- comcast -dot- net>]

I find it much too easy to assume someone knows where a particular option is.  Is it a drop down?  If so, under which category?  Is it a button? If so, how does one access the toolbar with that button?  The question, then, is which is a more elegant description?  Is it a graphic, a screen shot, or a some text and symbols?  When a person is under the pressure of trying to learn a new application, even the most obvious destinations, such as File, Edit, or View, may seem frustrating to find.  

One out of three users seems like a lot of frustration to me, even if an error is easily reversible. 

Just my novice opinion.

Ev

>> For instance ...
>>
>> Many software option windows have settings where a user is
>> doomed if they make a simple mistake.
>>
>> So I enter in an example of a correct setting and throw in
>> the screen shot.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -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%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.