"Next" or "the following" -- What is your preference?

[Claire Conant]

I don't get it. Can you provide an example? Do you mean... Follow the
next steps? Perform the next steps? (Am I close?) If so, I don't see any
problem with using "the following", as in "perform the following steps".
I write and edit that way all the time. 

I agree with not using below in HTML format as the content might not
actually be below. 

~~~~
This is a little brain teaser for a Monday morning. I am accustomed to
using
"next" in an introduction to a procedure instead of "the following."
A few people here (not technical writers--I am the only one), want
to change this to "the following" or "below," (I never use "below" any
more)
I also use "next" for lists and things after an introduction.

My original output is a Word document that is saved as a PDF, then it is
converted to WebHelp HTML with RoboHelp for access on our Intranet.

What is your preference? This one has me stumped. I don't see any
problem
with using "next," and actually prefer it, since I write in active
voice,
present tense. I haven't found anything that says it is categorically
wrong,
but maybe it is? I'd like some kind of source to say one way or the
other,
so I can pass that info along.