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.
Subject:Manual updates--summary From:"Raymond I. Peters" <rpeters -at- BRAHMS -dot- UDEL -dot- EDU> Date:Mon, 27 Jun 1994 13:33:49 -0400
Here is a summary of the responses we received regarding manual updates:
We got 17 responses. Nine people suggested issuing updated pages with a
cover memo, telling users the pages to replace and highlighting the main
changes. Several people felt that these changes were ignored, and some
seemed to have proof of it.
Five people suggested reissuing whole units. They seemed to feel this
was effective with users.
Three people recommended issuing separate updates rather than replacement
pages, and adding a tab to the manual for these updates. The whole manual
could be revised periodically.
One respondent suggested going on-line with updates. My wife would like
to know if anyone knows of an on-line system that accommodates large
files. The manual she is working on includes many graphics.
As one person suggested and others seem to have done, she is going to
do a user survey to see what form of update they would find most useful.
Again, thank you for all your responses; they were very
thoughtful and helpful.
Ray Peters (rpeters -at- brahms -dot- udel -dot- edu)
English
University of Delaware