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: Figures/graphics in user manuals From:Walter Hanig <walter -dot- hanig -at- NETMANAGE -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 14 Apr 1998 10:29:55 -0700
At 09:38 AM 4/14/98 PDT, Campana, Ellen, , SAM-GATQ wrote:
>I am looking for guidance in the use of figures and graphics in user
>manuals.
>
>I would appreciate any information on resources dealing with this topic,
>as well as your personal experiences and opinions. The manual is for a
>decision support system application, and the users are expected to have a
>working knowledge of Windows 95.
>
Assuming that cost and time to produce the manuals and future cost and time to maintain them are not issues, I prefer lots of graphics. imo, the most important factor leading to users' success with software is confidence. When they do what you tell them and see the results on screen that your manual says will occur, they begin to think, "Hey, this isn't so hard."
just my opinion, of course.
walter
Walter Hanig
NetManage, Inc.
12651 High Bluff Drive
San Diego, CA 92130, USA
Phone: 619-793-3173 FAX: 619-755-3998
e-mail: walter -dot- hanig -at- netmanage -dot- com wdhanig -at- rice -dot- edu
URL: http://www.netmanage.com FTP: ftp.netmanage.com
Blood Type: O+