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Subject:Re: Usability -- page numbering From:Gretchen Miller <grm+ -at- ANDREW -dot- CMU -dot- EDU> Date:Mon, 22 Nov 1993 14:53:37 -0500
Excerpts from netnews.bit.listserv.techwr-l: 20-Nov-93 Re: Usability --
page numbe.. by Paul Goble -at- col -dot- hp -dot- com
> I've found that serial page numbering (1,2,3,...) somehow encourages me
> to use actual page numbers for cross-references. The same mindset that
> tells me "avoid renumbering all those pages" also tells me "keep your
> cross-references vague."
> IMHO, the page numbering method is unimportant for readers. What IS
> important is that every page is clearly labelled with the chapter
> number, chapter name, and section name.
Hmmm, as a user, when I try to lookup something in a work that uses
complex page numbering, I find that I spend at least 5 minutes cursing
the *&%^@)$#(% idoit who decided to number the pages 1.1 1.2, 2.1, 2.2,
etc (or whatever variation thereon). I have no way to tell from the
page numbers how far I am from where I want to be. Serial numbers are
INFINATELY preferable (IMHO) every if you DO have 1000+ (or 2000+) pages
to deal with.
