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Subject:Re: Mac vs PC users From:Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Tue, 6 Jul 2010 09:22:35 -0700
>
> Does the person who's telling you this have the authority to make it stick?
> If not, I'd politely thank him or her and say, "If Z is the 'Mac way,' then
> that's the one I'll describe."
>
> Documenting all the different ways of accomplishing the same task is a very
> bad idea, IMHO. And I believe you'll find plenty of tech writing resources
> that back me up.
>
> If your procedures are full of steps that begin "Do one of the following,"
> followed by a bullet list, just to tell readers how to select a menu item,
> it's both confusing and tedious. I think most users will quickly tire of
> this and give up on the help. I know I would.
I agree with Richard. As I recall, the best convention is to stick with a
single, standard methodoly throughout. Then add a Shortcuts page or section
that gives interested parties that information.
As for "File > Save" kind of operations, that belongs in a basic "How To Use
a <Mac/PC>" volume. I'd be inclined to not explain the procedure in detail
and (yes!) assume that the user has a basic understanding of the platform
he/she is using. You're righting an application guide, if I remember—not a
personal computer primer.
> Chris
> Chris
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