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: Using Humor Judiciously From:Sue Heim <sue -at- RIS -dot- RISINC -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 20 May 1996 12:19:56 PST
Eric wanted to know:
> I'd be interested in hearing comments from anyone
> about judicious use of humor in documentation
> or books. <snip>
> I know I'd rather have some humor in a book I
> buy, but wouldn't want it in the "documentation"
> for a product. What do the rest of you think?
I absolutely hate humor in documentation for software and/or hardware
products. Even tho I write manuals for a living, I still want to be
able to pick up someone else's manual and find what I want without
having to wade thru "funnies." I think humor has a place in the
"dummies" books, as Eric stated, especially if it can make a
hard-to-learn topic more fun. Otherwise... ugh! Of course, this is
only my personal preference (I always feel as if I'm being "talked
down to" when I read user docs with lots of humor or cartoons in
'em)...
...sue
-------------------------
Sue Heim
Research Information Systems
Carlsbad, California USA
Email: Sue -at- ris -dot- risinc -dot- com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Post Message: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Get Commands: LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU with "help" in body.
Unsubscribe: LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU with "signoff TECHWR-L"
Listowner: ejray -at- ionet -dot- net
