RE: encouraging learning by experimentation?

Subject: RE: encouraging learning by experimentation?
From: Kim Roper <kim -dot- roper -at- pixelink -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2002 14:08:00 -0500


Lois Patterson pointed out:
>
> From what I understood, Hackos suggested using the
> technique in documentation as well. However, I
> obviously don't have a cite. Another thing she
> mentioned about user docs was not spelling out to the
> user how to do particular simple tasks, as this would
> encourage the user to figure it out on his own.
>

Caveat: Lois, I know you're paraphrasing Hackos, so I'm not taking issue
with you.

I still haven't finished numbering and writing Roper's Rules of Technical
Writing, but these ones come to mind:
Rule 3: Don't force 'em to think.
Rule 3a: Don't make 'em hunt for information they need *right now*.
It's a manual, not a mystery novel.
Rule 4: Don't force 'em to slow down or stop before they get to where
they want to be.

Cheers ... Kim
kim.roper at pixelink.com
http://www.pixelink.com/



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