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:Re: Opinion on Options location From:Bonni Graham <bonnig -at- IX -dot- NETCOM -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 7 Feb 1996 10:34:27 -0800
Warren wrote:
>What is the most user friendly and functional location for the
>users' options section (i.e. global defaults) in the User Manual.
>These items presently exist near the back of the manual in an
>advanced user section, the difficulty stems from the production of
>numerous forward references as the product has grown.
I'd say it depends on the orgainizing principle of your manual: is it
based on
a) frequency of use (the more frequently used topics in front)
or
b) order of use (the topics needed first, like setting
options/preferences in front?
If a, then the chapter belongs in the back or even as an appendix
(forward references to appendices give ME less heartburn, anyway <g>).
If b, then the chapter belongs up front, since the user will want/need
to set these before doing other things.
--
Bonni Graham
Manual Labour
bonnig -at- ix -dot- netcom -dot- com