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When I was in New York a few years back, riding the subway, when I was somewhat startled to hear a really goofy-sounding voice announce "Stayand clear of the closing doowurs please!"
I said to my wife "Wow, that sounds like Goofy!"
Only months later did someone tell us some of the lines had been Disney-themed for a while and this was a residual "Goofy" announcement.
c
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+cvickery=arenasolutions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+cvickery=arenasolutions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Nancy Allison
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 8:44 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: User-friendly documentation (was: "Button Gravity" and"WarningGravity")
Yes, loud, automated destination announcements can be a great thing.
However, they are not without disconcerting aspects. The MBTA
(Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) bought some new subway
cars, oh, ten years ago, that were made in the mid-West. We all had to
get used to the sound of some corn-fed Iowan announcing such places as
"Harrrvarrd Squayerrr," and "Charrlestown" instead of "Hahvahd Squayah"
and "Chahhlestown."
I'm sure more than a few people missed their stops, at least at first .
. .
On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 11:26 AM, McLauchlan, Kevin wrote:
Of course, that voice was much clearer than the automated voice (or the
driver's tired voice in un-automated systems), that announced the next
stop.
Anyone on an unfamiliar bus, going to an unfamiliar destination was
doomed to hang about at the front of the bus, getting flack from driver
and other passengers for not clearing the aisle and for occupying the
"Pregnant women and old folks" seats, while desperately trying to see
through the dirty windshield and discern the street signs and
addresses... as they slid past in the murk.
Â- Kevin
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solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or
HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. http://www.doctohelp.com
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authors and teams. Professional power, intuitive interface. Write
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