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: PDF v paper From:Darren Barefoot <dbarefoot -at- MPS-CANADA -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 16 Dec 1998 12:06:37 -0800
My two cents worth.
Here are some facts:
1) Humans are creatures of habit and resistant to change.
2) Books have been around for quite some time.
3) On-line documents have not.
On-line documentation is a far superior format. No one can argue that
full-colour graphics, audible instructions and animated screen-shots aren't
superior to a black and white text. Additionally, on-line help can be
content and context-sensitive. A book always opens in the same place.
On-line help can provide faster, cheaper, more thorough assistance to the
average user.
Yet, because of the newness of computers in general and on-line
documentation specifically, people's chronic affection for textbooks and the
obdurateness of human nature, we're stuck with hardcopy for a while yet.
====================
Darren Barefoot
Technical Content Developer
MPS Canada, Vancouver, BC
604.904.0822 ext.112
www.mps-inc.com