designing a demo--timing

["Jessica N. Lange" <jlange -at- OEE -dot- COM>]

I'm a tech writer creating a demo (using DemoShield) of our new software
product. I've also created web pages and online help. My question concerns
information design and usability, rather than anything technical about the
program.

On each scene (page), I'm using very little text with lots of graphics. The
viewer can click a "next" or "back" graphic or press the arrow keys to
navigate the demo.

Some scenes, however, have "animation" -- e.g., a line of text appears with
a graphic; the graphic changes to show a new state and new text appears to
explain it -- I am not sure how long the first bit of text should be visible
before the next appears. I'm concerned that the viewer would move to the
next scene without seeing the second part of that scene.

The question: Are there any rules of thumb on how long text should remain
onscreen before it disappears or the scene automatically switches to the
next scene? Any rules on font sizes? (unlike web pages, the viewer cannot
change the size)

Also....I have found very little information (advice) about designing demos.
The best I can do is apply what I've learned about web page design, CBT,
presentations, online help, and marcom writing. If anyone knows of any
resources (net or print) specifically for designing demos (DemoShield
resources aside), I would appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks in advance.
Jessica

----------------------------------------------------
Jessica N. Lange mailto:jlange -at- oee -dot- com
Technical Communicator, Ohio Electronic Engravers, Inc.


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