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I think we must take into respect most people do. It's hard to second guess
your reader. I remember when I worked for my previous company, I wondered if
ANYONE read our documentation.
Sonja Waller
Sr. Technical Writer
Smallworld Systems, Inc.
Communications Business Unit
TEL: 303.268-6163
FAX: 303.779-9945
Email:
sonja -dot- waller -at- smallworld-us -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
From: Trevor Grayling [mailto:Trevor -at- MDLI -dot- COM]
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 1999 3:32 PM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Do users actually read READ.ME files?
Greetings TechWr-Lers:
I've seen a number of studies (and conducted my own) that indicate that
software users frequently ignore manuals and even online help. I suspect --
but have no data -- that the same can be said for the READ.ME files that
accompany most software releases.
Because our company is contemplating putting more effort into readme's, I'd
like to see any research that indicates level of usage of these files to
determine what level of effort would be justified.
Can anyone help?
Trevor Grayling
Manager of Technical Communications
MDL Information Systems, Inc.
San Leandro, CA
