Re: What exactly is minimalist documentation?

[Scott Miller <smiller -at- CORP -dot- PORTAL -dot- COM>]

>>>>>
>I have a vague sense of what minimalist documentation probably is, but I need
>to
>be able to define it by this evening.  Can anyone help me out here?  Does
>anyone
>do this kind of documentation? What is its advantage?  Thanks!!
><<<<<<<
>Applied to software documentation, the goal of minimalist documentation is to
>provide just enough information that the user is able to find out just enough
>crucial information to get by with basic tasks. Enough information is
>provided to allow the user to figure out non-basic tasks on their own. By
>figuring things out on their own, the user learns how to use the software
>better, and has greater retention. In other words, the goal is not to just
>have fewer words, or kill fewer trees, but to enhance usability by providing
>a minimal safety net over which a user can explore and learn.
>
>The closest I've seen to minimalist documentation is the online help for
>Windows 95.
>
>- Scott Miller
>smiller -at- portal -dot- com
>


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