TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Content of Help Systems From:David Neeley <dbneeley -at- gmail -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Tue, 20 Sep 2005 21:18:57 -0500
Bill,
As an old Mexican saying goes, "Cada chango a su mecate"--"each monkey
to his own rope!"
I continue to believe that a very workable combination is online help
as more of a *quick* reference, and a manual (either electronic or
printed) for more basic study. Generally, there is a value to seeing a
given point in context by having it on pages that also may contain
other but related information...or, of course, so I have found it.
To me, if "the content is the same" it is merely a sign that one of
the versions is unnecessary. For the short-sighted bean counters,
simply eliminating one would save even more money!
If each medium is created to take maximum advantage of its strenghts,
I cannot understand why we should reduce the material to some common
denominator simply to create two different versions of the same thing.
Like various others on this list, I cut my professional teeth in a
time when printed docs were the only real game in town. I *love*
print--but personally I *use* electronic docs far more often than
printed docs of any sort. Partly, that is because the average
application doc is so very poor--often created, apparently, by those
who don't deign to seek better answers or (more importantly) better
questions through participation in forums such as this one.
I have reached the point where I am always pleasantly surprised and
greatly gratified if I can actually find a useful result from online
help *or* users' manuals that accompany applications. If this were not
so true, there would be far less interest in third party docs.
Of course, there is also the point that if we had the exact same
opinions, then one of *us* would be unnecessary as well! 8:)
David
On 9/20/05, Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> > As a user, I feel somewhat cheated when the content is the same. I ask
> > "why do both?" in that case.
>
> I don't. I leave the books in the library and use them when engaged in
> hearty debate with co-workers and use the online docs for my own
> reference.
Now Shipping -- WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word! Easily create online
Help. And online anything else. Redesigned interface with a new
project-based workflow. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Doc-To-Help 2005 converts RoboHelp files with one click. Author with Word or any HTML editor. Visit our site to see a conversion demo movie and learn more. http://www.componentone.com/TECHWRL/DocToHelp2005
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
