Re: Writing procedures that aren't so straightforward

[Chris Borokowski <athloi -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

I think your solution is to write as intuitively as
possible as you did in this message. I would explain
the situation in a half-paragraph, and then say, "You
will encounter any number of the following," and list
them under unnumbered topic headers to imply a lack of
linearity. You might want to then follow each topic
with a series of Tips or Notes describing interaction
with other options, as in "Note: If procedure A is
also installed, the procedure for modifying C above
will take you to screen B where you will be required
to enter your blood type and bank account number."

Sounds fun!

--- Julia Norquist <julia_norquist -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:

> I am writing a guide for people who will use our
> software on handheld computers, such as Pocket PCs.
> An
> administrator will set up the software according to
> how their company operates, and these settings will
> affect what the end user sees on his screen. After
> logging in, he may see a screen that will ask for an
> additional password. He will proceed through a
> series
> of screens, but the path is not linear. He might do
> A,
> B, C, D, then E. He might do A, skip B, do C and D,
> and skip E. He might skip A, do B and C, do B again,
> and so on.


User Interface design blog
http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/
Code::Design::UI::Consulting
http://www.dionysius.com/


 
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