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.
Re: Can Online Documentation be Used to Increase the Usability
Subject:Re: Can Online Documentation be Used to Increase the Usability From:Laurie Rubin <lmr -at- SYL -dot- NJ -dot- NEC -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 19 Jan 1995 08:25:06 -0500
I think Bob means using online doc to help someone perform a hardware job that
is separate from the computer....correct, Bob?
The hardware I described was only in a computer, but I remember seeing online
textual procedures with embedded video being used for helping mechanics repair
parts of an engine. I know its done, I am not certain if it improves
usability....
Laurie
> Bob Lord writes:
> > I have this question for the list:
> >
> > Does anyone out there have any experience with an online implementation of
> > nuts-and-bolts HARDware documentation that was successful in the sense that
> it
> > improved usability or was more acceptable for the user?
> I might be missing the point, but it seems to me that including installation
> and configuration information online in the very hardware you're setting up
> is like including instructions on opening a safe within the locked safe. You
> can't use it until you're already there; and by that time, who needs it?
> Bill Amos
> Objective Systems Integrators
> Folsom, CA
