Re: how to present numerous options

[dee beck <deeb -at- TIMBERLINE -dot- COM>]

hi, cyndy:

        unless there is a specific reason (the makes sense to the user)
for the order in which the program displays the options, i would display
the options in alphabetical order. "if the list is alphabetical,
alphabetize down the columns, not across rows, if possible." ~from the
"ms manual of style for technical publications"

thanks, dee
__________________________
Dee Beck
Senior Technical Writer

Timberline Software Corporation
503/526.5969
deeb -at- timberline -dot- com

> ----------
> From:         Cyndy Davis[SMTP:kivrin -at- ZDNETMAIL -dot- COM]
> Sent:         Tuesday, July 28, 1998 3:24 PM
> To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject:      how to present numerous options
>
> Hello fellow techwr-lers -
>
> I have a list of options for a field (30 of them). Users can toggle
> through the various options to pick the one they wish. Should these
> options be alphabetized, or presented in the same order the program
> displays them in?
>
> The field in question is on a portable data collector (only a 20
> character LCD screen) so a user uses the arrow keys to toggle through
> options, you can go backwards or forwards (which is the reason I'm not
> sure to present them in a specific order since that order can be
> reversed).
>
> If the options should be alphabetized, which way? I have the options
> in 3 columns, does it go down each column A, B, C or across the row
> like you would read them?
>
>
> Thanks!
> Cyndy Davis
> (p.s., Please forgive grammar errors - don't flame, we have gone over
> the topic enough! =))
>
>
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