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.
Some software types do use manuals and notice the quality thereof
Subject:Some software types do use manuals and notice the quality thereof From:LaVonna Funkhouser <lffunkhouser -at- HALNET -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 17 Mar 1994 13:20:26 -0600
Regarding reading manuals:
I know that I have an exceptional husband, and I guess the
fact that he uses reference manuals and reads instruction
manuals makes him more so.
He lists these software manuals as well written, IHHO:
* VAX VMS
* XRT/Graph
* Most of the books published by O'Reilley and Associates
He is also good (better than I am) about reading instruction
booklets that come with a newly purchased item, whether it
be a Ford Explorer, a MotoTool, or a Colt SAA. Although
such instructions are very important, they rarely strike readers
as being "well written." (I don't have a list of notably good
instruction books, but we on this list have previously discussed
poorly written instructions.)
The point is that some people do use manuals, and sometimes they
do notice (and appreciate!) the quality when they are written
well.