Re: Identifying window components in SW apps

[Janice Gelb <janice -dot- gelb -at- sun -dot- com>]

Michelle Vina-Baltsas wrote:
> For those writers who document software applications, when you are 
> describing a window/screen, do you identify every part of the 
> window/screen or do you only specify the parts that aren't obvious? We 
> typically identify all parts and pieces, but I'm wondering if this is over 
> kill.  I know this answer will be partly based on the audience, but I want 
> to know what others consider in making this decision. 
> 

We now rarely provide screenshots of windows or
screens with callouts unless the interface is
potentially confusing, and even then we only
identify major parts of the interface. We finally
realized that the only time most users were
interested in the parts of the interface was when
they actually had to use them to do something so we
now only mention the parts of the GUI within the
tasks where the user needs to engage them.

-- Janice

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