Re: What's your preference: One long page or several small pages?

[John G <john -at- garisons -dot- com>]

Hi Lynne,

Thanks for asking me to clarify.

   - I'm talking about browser-based content (ours is created in
   Confluence, but any web presentation will apply).
   - A "screenload" is
   when I have to scroll down (or Page Down) to see what won't fit in the
   first screen of content.
   - Page = topic
   , so yes, one long topic vs. several small topics.


JG


   -
   -


On Thu, Aug 2, 2018 at 3:08 PM Wright, Lynne <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- kronos -dot- com>
wrote:

> I'm confused about what you mean by a long vs short page, and also what
> you mean by "screenload":
>
> If you're working in Word or Frame or other similar doc authoring tool,
> are you talking about changing the page size to 8 1/2 x 14 or something?
>
> Or are you talking about topics in a help system, and you're wondering
> whether to put the whole procedure in one topic, or break it into smaller
> sub-topics?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=kronos -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> <techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=kronos -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> On Behalf
> Of John G
> Sent: Thursday, August 2, 2018 2:59 PM
> To: TechWhirl (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com) <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
> Subject: What's your preference: One long page or several small pages?
>
> Quick survey!
>
> I have several long-ish pages (5 or 6 screenloads) each of which contains
> rather complex instructions to run a procedure.
>
> Is that better than spreading the same information across 5 or 6 short
> pages -- assuming there's an intro/overview and links from each short page
> to the previous and next pages?
>
> My arguments for long pages:
>
>    - One long page is easy to bookmark
>    - PDFing is easy and fast an includes everything
>    - Easy to look back and ahead
>
> My arguments for short pages:
>
>    - Less intimidating
>    - Easier to scan and read
>
> Your thoughts? And bonus points if you can cite user preferences and
> reasons!
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> John Garison | Lead Technical Communicator | Medidata Solutions
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