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Thank you---I've been saying this for over two years on this forum, and I
think that there's quite a number of folks who would agree with the concept.
I just redesigned a help system for portfolio management software taking
this approach...and the customers' user bases are quite happy with it. We
introduce concepts, then basic functionality, then how to use it to handle
particular issues in particular segments of the business. We also have the
"click this, press that" instructions, but we focus much less on that than
the how's and why's of using features. It really does work!
Regards
Connie P. Giordano
Senior Technical Writer
Advisor Technology Services
A Fidelity Investments Company
704-330-2069 (w)
704-330-2350 (f)
704-957-8450 (c)
"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." - Henry Ford
-----Original Message-----
From: R. Johnson [mailto:rjayz -at- yahoo -dot- com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 8:53 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Marcom as TechCom
Some technical documents could use an infusion of marcom,
IMHO. Especially software manuals. In fact, I'd almost
prefer knowing the benefits of a particular feature or
function rather than instructions on how to use that
feature or function. Tell me why I'd want to use it, don't
tell me how to use it, since a well-designed interface
obviates that kind of information anyway.
I also think that this type of documentation would have a longer shelf-life
and would encourage more people to actually read the docs. And
benefits-based docs'd answer the question "how's it going to help me solve
my problem," rather than "why can't I do..."
Any thoughts?
Robin Johnson
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