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Embedded help for a web based application? (Take II)
Subject:Embedded help for a web based application? (Take II) From:"Pooja Malhotra" <pooja -dot- malhotra -at- induslogic -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Sat, 22 Mar 2003 10:56:10 +0530
Dick, Geoff,
Thanks so much for your suggestions.
Dick wrote<<Another approach is to look at this issue the way Microsoft
and Netscape have. Each (in succeeding generations of Windows and of
Navigator, respectively) has offered a spiffy new presentation layer to
new customers but offered a "Classic" skin as an option for existing
customers. (Of course the option is available to everyone, but
presumably new customers don't go looking for it.)>>
Actually, I am not directly interacting with the client so there are
things which I cannot convince them for. We are offering only one
presentation layer to the client so there can be no other options. I
wish, we could suggest this earlier as it would have solved many
problems.
Geoff wrote <<Try explaining this to your client, as politely as
possible. Emphasize that adding the information won't harm anyone, but
that leaving it out may cause problems _for them, not for you_. If they
still won't accept your changes, keep records of how you wanted to
improve the interface and store any new help text you've written for the
improved interface somewhere safe. If the situation you predicted
arises, you can pull out your notes and hand them a solution so fast
they'll think you're a genius. And if the problem never arises, console
yourself with the thought that sometimes users really are smarter than
we like to think.>>
I have liked Geoff's suggestion on keeping the records of how I wanted
to improve the GUI for user's benefit and help text some where safe.
Whether the need to show that text arises or not, at least, I'll be
satisfied :)
Thanks all for your inputs.
Pooja
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