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RE: The origins of task-oriented writing as a preference
Subject:RE: The origins of task-oriented writing as a preference From:"Murrell, Thomas" <TMurrell -at- alldata -dot- net> To:TECHWR-L <TECHWR-L -at- LISTS -dot- RAYCOMM -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 28 Jan 2000 15:28:38 -0500
> From: Mark Dempsey[SMTP:mxd2 -at- osi -dot- com]
>
> Our management has discovered we need "task-oriented" writing rather
> than "reference-oriented" writing in our manuals.
>
> IMHO, the impetus toward task-oriented writing began with popularly
> available software (Word, Quicken, etc.), and is focussed on a large
> audience of relatively computer-illiterated users. The "For Dummies"
> books also address this audience.
>
> Can anyone tell me the origins of this movement toward task-orientation
> in writing?
>
Now just a cotton-pickin' minute, here. I'm a big fan of the "For Dummies"
books, and I would not call myself even mildly "computer-illiterated". (And
I don't get a dime from the sales of IDG books of any kind.
I'm sorry that I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm sure
someone will. I just wanted to stick up for my growing library of basic
references. (Besides, there is no computer anywhere in my "Golf For
Dummies" book.)
