Re: Generation Y doesn't like paternal delivery of user ed?

[Ned Bedinger <doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com>]

Evelyn Lee Barney wrote:
> 
> We may not have to write to the lowest common denominator, but I do 
> think we need to watch out for our assumptions, and the things that have 
> become so automatic for us in using a particular program we don't think 
> about it any more.

I agree, and yeah, what could be more befuddling than finding the 
procedure you need, but discovering it doesn't make sense?? It does 
happen, knock on wood that it doesn't happen to or because of me...

Staying focused on the user's requirements is hard for me when I'm 
getting more and more experienced at doing what I'm writing about. The 
temptation to work from memory gets in the way instead of continuously 
referencing and validating the instructions. Likewise, the problem of 
glossing over the tedious stuff and rationalizing that most users 
probably know it anyway. The Y gen would know it, right?

I mean, I'm good and conscientious with my work, but anyway the quest to 
stay relevant is an important part of the game even BEFORE I start 
worrying about the alphabet generations and their attitudes or 
preferences for vertical or horizontal information flow.

With the peer-to-peer thing, it would be good to know how to get things 
percolating out to everyone who needs it. At this point, I think it 
would still make sense to write it up, post it, and then let gravity or 
capillary action of whatever pull it where it needs to go. At least then 
I could expect an occassional reality check against the reviewed 
write-up. I suspect a lot of the peer sharing would actually be peers 
pointing peers to the resource online anyway, otherwise wouldn't there 
be a risk of the information mutating and causing problems (like finger 
pointing)?

Mildly incredulous but hopeful,

Ned Bedinger
doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.