RE: introducing steps

["McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>]

Mark Baker wrote:
  
> Kevin McLauchlan wrote:
> 
> > So if there are a several prerequisites, you make them
> > steps 1 through 4, before step 5 gets to the meat of the
> > current procedure?
> 
> Indeed. I have always thought the idea of stating prerequisites to a
> procedure is asking for trouble. If there are things you have to do
> before
> step 1, then is isn't step 1, is it?
> 
> Numbered steps are like catnip to an impatient reader. We should write
> procedures as if readers do not read anything between the topic title
> and
> the first numbered step.


So-o-o-o-o... 

GERUNDISH TITLE
1) Do everything appropriate on <page link1> - if you have not already done so.

2) Do everything appropriate on <page link2> - if you have not already done so. 

3) Do everything appropriate on <page link3> - if you have not already done so. 

4) Know, without further info, that the following steps are the right thing to 
 do now, in your situation, or skip the next seven steps.

5) Connect the blah-blah-blah... 

??

 Or...

GERUNDISH TITLE

1) If blah, blah, blah, then do everything on <page link1>

2) If blah, blah, blah, and blah-de-blah, and blah-de-blah, but not bla-bla, then do (or have done?) everything on <page link2>

3) Etc.

??

 - kevin
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