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Subject:RE: UNIX and Windows documentation From:"William H Turner" <turnerw -at- us -dot- ibm -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 3 Apr 2002 09:08:30 -0800
Ted,
I agree with the comments of Sue Gallagher and Bruce Byfield regarding
tuning the doc to the Windows audience and assuming that the UNIX audience
can adjust better. I do that in my current book even though the primary
console runs Linux.
I think Sue Gallagher also suggested generalizing, which I do in describing
UI elements. For example, a Windows combo box is a scrollable list on
Linux, so I just call it a "list" while showing a Windows screenshot.
Some UI elements differ so much between UNIX and Windows that I have a
section that describes those differences. Then, wherever the book mentions
one of those diverging UI elements, I cross-reference to that descriptive
section.
--Will Turner
IBM Information Development Dept. G26A
turnerw -at- us -dot- ibm -dot- com
Building 51/2B47
5600 Cottle Rd.
San Jose, Ca. 95193
internal: 69886; TIE: 8/276-9886
outside: (408) 256-9886
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