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1) Geoff never suggested tricking anyone, just finding ways to used
reflexive responses to educate users. My first thought is that such
mechanism, working in combination with "agent" technology would be extremely
useful in interactive tutorials, or very complex processes (such as doing
taxes on-line.
2)It's very arrogant to assume that all technical writing is superior to
advertising and marketing, and that all advertising and marketing is full of
lies and trickery. I can assure you there are just as many examples of bad,
inaccurate and downright deceptive user manuals and on-line help as there
are crappy web sites promoting crappy products.
3)If such techniques are used properly and scripted properly, anger is not
the likely response. For example, if clicking the close button would erase
a set of data entered, such a technique could open another window to allow
the user to save it temporarily, or warn them of the consequences.
MTC
Connie Giordano
-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Bell [mailto:RBell -at- OptioSoftware -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2000 1:44 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: RE: Taking advantage of "reflexive" responses in users
Using such a technique would not only anger our audiences, it would lower
our technical writing to the same level as advertising and marketing (with
all their trickery and disguises). Rather than be angry at those same
monkeys, Lisa, I installed a program called AdsOff that removes most ads
from my screen. (Disclaimer: I have no financial or other interest in
AdsOff.)
Regards,
Roger Bell
Technical Writer
Optio Software, Inc. http://www.optiosoftware.com
Decaf espresso...what's the point?
-----Original Message-----
From: Higgins, Lisa [mailto:LHiggins -at- carrieraccess -dot- com]
Subject: RE: Taking advantage of "reflexive" responses in users
Nope. This kind of predictable response is hijacking,
