TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Best I've ever seen is from the book "Open Here: The Art of Instructional Design," ordered after recommended by someone on this list.
At the top right of one page it says "Cut the blue wire..." -- then turn the page and at the top of the next page it says, "...AFTER you cut the red wire." (I might have the colors reversed but same principle.)
As I recall it was from an actual instruction on how to disarm a bomb.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: On Behalf Of Peter Neilson
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 4:33 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: On reading instructions ...
1. Read the instructions.
2. Follow the instructions.
3. Before performing step 2, read ALL the instructions.
The above was inspired by the instructions for cleaning the printhead on
my HP printer. They do not tell you to gather appropriate cleaning
materials until well into the procedure.
Who's writing these instructions, anyway? Surely none of the subscribers
to TECHWR-L!
*********************************************************
THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL MESSAGE AND ANY ATTACHMENT IS
CONFIDENTIAL AND MAY CONTAIN LEGALLY PRIVILEGED
INFORMATION INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL
OR INDIVIDUALS NAMED ABOVE.
If the reader is not the intended recipient, or the
employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the
intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any
dissemination, distribution or copying of this
communication is strictly prohibited. If you have
received this communication in error, please reply to the
sender to notify us of the error and delete the original
message. Thank You.
*********************************************************
Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help.
Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need. Try
Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days. http://www.doctohelp.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-