RE: Never lead with a graphic

[rebecca_hopkins -at- comcast -dot- net (Rebecca Hopkins)]

Leonard,

Thanks for the advice - I'm just arming myself for the inevitable conversation with the boss.

I talked to one of my younger co-workers, and he said that's what he learned in school as well - never lead with a graphic. He could not remember the rationale, however. Since the boss is newer to the tech writing circus than I am, I'm thinking she also "received" this wisdom that I missed out on.

We're going through one of those clean-out-the-fridge, salute-it-or-paint-it re-orgs of the company's various doc sets, and standards for standardization's sake are being carved in stone as we speak. Two people who remember it from class outnumber one person's personal opinion. I will have to find references to back up my argument.
-----
Rebecca

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Leonard C. Porrello" <Leonard -dot- Porrello -at- SoleraTec -dot- com>
> I assume that my reader is using one of my applications and has come to
> the user docs because he doesn't understand something or is otherwise
> having problems. In other words, as he is reading my docs, he has the
> GUI open on his monitor. Granted that, while I usually do have
> introductory text, I ensure the graphic appears on the first screen of
> the help (or page in a PDF) for the given section. This quickly lets the
> reader know, "you are here". Explanatory text always comes after this.
> 
> I can't imagine any reason why you wouldn't want a screenshot on the
> first page of a help section. Why not ask your boss his rationale? Or,
> maybe you can tell him that you don't understand and ask him to provide
> some samples.
> 
> Leonard
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.