RE: Why use screen shots at all? [WAS Survey: "Screen shots"]

[bryan -dot- westbrook -at- amd -dot- com]

One possible advantage is that they can help users navigate to the appropriate sections quicker.  This could be especially helpful for neophyte users who don't know the terminology for the application they are trying to use but are able to flip through a manual to find a picture that looks like what's on their screens.

I used to write automotive manuals for the U.S. Army, and we were not allowed to use *any* articles in our writing in an (misguided, IMO) attempt to save space, but we had to include illustrations of every little washer we mentioned.


-----Original Message-----
From: Simon North [mailto:north -at- synopsys -dot- COM]
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 7:13 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Why use screen shots at all? [WAS Survey: "Screen shots"]


I wish I could cite the source for this (I'll keep looking), but I 
read recently that a study suggested that screen shots serve a 
purpose even when their content is completely useless. 


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