Chattiness in manuals

[Kevin Amery]

I agree, it might be appropriate for a "friendly" type of product, either
consumer related or aimed at a "hip" profession (animation, for example...
Although even there, it would have to be a particular subset of the
animation field that doesn't take itself too seriously).  

If it were aimed at a professional market, though, this type of writing
probably wouldn't fit. Also, if it's dealing with the type of procedure
someone might have to do while agravated ("this @%$*^ thing is down
AGAIN!!") any writing that doesn't get straight to the point could
antagonise the user. 

As is frequently the case, I think it comes down to knowing your audience. 
   
Kevin Amery
Technical Writer, Research and Development

Open Text Corporation
1 Sparks Ave.
North York, ON. M2H 2W1
CANADA

Phone:	+1 (416)496-2200-2402
e-mail:	 kamery at opentext.com  
Web site:	http://www.opentext.com





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-----Original Message-----
From: David Farbey [mailto:dfarbey at yahoo.co.uk] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 7:17 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Cc: Sarah Bouchier
Subject: Re: Chattiness in manuals

Sarah Bouchier asked:
> How would you react to a manual that said, "The installation of this 
> component may take several minutes.  This would be a good time to go 
> and get a cup of tea"?
>
> (Other than concluding that the author had run mad and needed to be 
> fitted with a snazzy waistcoat with long sleeves, of course)
It depends. In some cases, that would be really inappropriate. But I can
imagine a scenario in which the manual was for a "laid-back", "cool" 
product, and was deliberately designed to be friendly and whimsical in order
to fit into the atmosphere - the "branding" - that the product's owners
wanted to create, and then it would be fine.  There's no rule that says user
assistance information must always be formal.

I think I'll go and have a cup of tea now. ;-)

David (in London, where tea is always appropriate!)

--
David Farbey
Information Design Consultant
david at farbey.co.uk
Office  +44-(0)20-8492-7807
Fax     +44-(0)20-8492-0159
Mobile  +44-(0)7876-184-588
also at Clifford Sells Ltd.,
Documentation and Recruitment Specialists david at cliffordsells.com
www.cliffordsells.com

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