Summary: Information Design Books?

["Eric Thomas" <erict -at- installshield -dot- com>]

I thought I'd post a summary of the messages I received on this topic.  I
only received a few messages, but recommended were:

Writing Effective Software Documentation by Patricia Williams and Pamela
Beason
Designing and Writing Online Documentation: Help Files to Hypertext, William
Horton
Microsoft Windows User Experience
Developing Quality Technical Information, Gretchen Hargis

Personally, I've been referring to "The User Manual Manual: How to Research,
Write, Test, Edit and Produce a Software Manual" and UnTechnical Writing:
How to Write About Technical Subjects and Products So Anyone Can
Understand," both by Michael Bremer.  They both touch on some of the issues
I've had to deal with, but they focus more on print and project than online.

Thanks to those who responded.
-Eric

     Eric A. Thomas
     Technical Writer
     InstallShield Software Corporation
     847.619.7044
     erict -at- installshield -dot- com
     http://www.installshield.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Thomas [mailto:erict -at- installshield -dot- com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2000 9:31 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Information Design Books?


Hi everyone.  I was wondering if anyone here has a favorite book on
information organization for technical writers?  More and more, I've been
faced with decisions involving deciding what should be online only,
print/pdf only, and in both forms.  In doing so, I've wondered about
information design theory and practice, especially when you're dealing with
more advanced product users.  Has anyone found a good book that covers some
of the issues you should factor into your overall documentation plan, such
as organization, navigational structure, etc?

Thanks in advance.
-Eric


     Eric A. Thomas
     Technical Writer
     InstallShield Software Corporation
     847.619.7044
     erict -at- installshield -dot- com
     http://www.installshield.com