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Subject:Comments on On-Line Docs From:"Arlen P. Walker" <Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 11 May 1995 13:15:00 -0600
Info World carries a letter this week from Hector Santos on the problems with
On_line Docs. Here they are: (comments, anyone?)
These are (as near as my typo-laden fingers will allow) the words of Hector
Santos:
1) I believe most documentation is completed after the software product is
finished. So for many vendors there is a tendency and a temptation to release
the software product without the manual.
2) There is a major difference between a new product release and an upgrade or
mature product release without manuals.
4) Support costs are higher when manuals are removed. Increased phone support is
required, and you will find an increase in on-line forum messages with
rudimentary questions.
Here endeth the quote.
(I will take responsibility for typos, but the thoughts are straight from Mr.
Santos.)
What do you think, all ye SW doc-ers out there? Has he a point, or has he only
exposed the one on his head?
Have fun,
Arlen
Chief Managing Director In Charge, Department of Redundancy Department
DNRC 124
Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- Com
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In God we trust; all others must provide data.
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