Re: Recent User Assistance Studies on Printed Books?

["Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>]

The 7.5x9 book size is the standard for software distributed in
retail packaging.  I suspect it is preferred by retailers because
the smaller boxes take up less space on the shelves, and not
because of any user preference or usability study.  Speaking
strictly as a software user, I'd choose 8.5x11 in some sort of
*truly* lay-flat binding over a 7.5x9 paperback book any day
if anyone ever asked me, and for the majority of the products
I've documented (almost all of which have been non-retail,
industrial strength stuff), 8.5x11 or A4 is still the de facto (if
not actually mandated) size.  I've yet to encounter a single
user who expressed a preference for the smaller size book.

Gene Kim-Eng


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lorraine Kiewiet" <lkiewiet -at- earthlink -dot- net>
> Today's question: Given that they think this looks good, are there any studies out there to support the more standard practices 
> that we three on the doc team want to move to? Examples: for internationalization, we believe that the book should be 7.5 x 9. For 
> readability, the body font should be serif, and more than 3 points of line leading are needed between paragraphs.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.