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.
Subject:Re: When is it too much information? From:Keith Hood <klhra -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:yehoshua paul <ysp10182 -at- gmail -dot- com>, tech2wr-l <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:16:25 -0800 (PST)
I think adding such a note can't hurt the users. I don't see it 'hindering' them in any way. And adding it may help your relationship with the support guy. If the inclusion really is so tiny and meaningless, then there's no point in starting a controversy with him.
________________________________
From: yehoshua paul <ysp10182 -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: tech2wr-l <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 9:07 AM
Subject: When is it too much information?
While reviewing the latest release notes that my company sends out every
couple of weeks, one of the support guys suggested that I add the following
words (or something similar) to one of the change descriptions: "The user
does not need to do anything." What changed is information that was
displayed in one area of the UI is no longer displayed. The support guy
thought the users might think they need to do something, now that they no
longer see this information.
I told him, if the users needed to do something, I would write this in the
release notes like I did with some of the other changes, and include the
relevant steps, or the appropriate reference to the online help. If I
didn't write anything, why would the users think they need to do something?
His argument was that it doesn't hurt to add the sentence, and it may
prevent confused customers from calling customer support.
What do you guys think? Would adding a superfluous sentence (in my opinion)
help or hinder users.
Yehoshua
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
EPUB Webinar: Join STC Vice President Nicky Bleiel as she discusses tips for creating EPUB, the file format used for e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and more.
Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our online magazine at http://techwhirl.com
Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
EPUB Webinar: Join STC Vice President Nicky Bleiel as she discusses tips for creating EPUB, the file format used for e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and more.