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.
Re: Taking advantage of "reflexive" responses in users
Subject:Re: Taking advantage of "reflexive" responses in users From:Annamaria Profit <inteltek -at- erols -dot- com> To:"Hart, Geoff" <Geoff-H -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA> Date:Wed, 04 Oct 2000 13:07:05 -0400
Geoff,
Using this technique is hazardous. Remember WHY you clicked the window
closed? You were trying to get rid of it! Giving a user exactly what
they DON'T want is going to create significant hostility. Even if
you're trying to reinforce a point, the user is saying "so what, I don't
want to hear this." Do you really want to take them to the screen they
just refused? The technique ignores the user's ability to choose.
"Hart, Geoff" wrote:
>
> So the techwr-l tie-in: A small voice is telling me we could use this kind
> of predictable response in technical communication, but I'm drawing a blank
> right now. Suggestions anyone?
**************************************************
Celebrate failure! It's a critical element of learning.
**************************************************
