RE: Manual or Guide? What is the difference?

["McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>]

I agree with Leonard and Craig, and would normally use "User Guide" by
default, but keep in mind that there are occasions when the intended
audience expects "Manual" or even "Reference Manual" - an audience such
as the engineers and techs and programmers who use our toolkits.

 - Kevin

> -----Original Message-----
> From:
techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-
> l.com] On Behalf Of Leonard C. Porrello
> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 13:24
> To: Cardimon, Craig; SB
> Cc: Techwr-l
> Subject: RE: Manual or Guide? What is the difference?
> 
> To me, a manual is kind of like filling your mouth with stale,
> unsweetened peanut butter while winded. A user's guide, on the other
> hand, soothes the user like a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy fall
> evening.
> 
> Seriously, I think "Manual" connotes reference while "User's Guide"
> connotes how to. In other words, a "manual" is artifact centric; a
> "user's guide" is user and process centric. In other words, a "manual"
> is all about the thing; a "user's guide" is all about how to
accomplish
> something with the thing.
> 
> Leonard



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