Re: They don't need our stinkin' manuals?

[Chantel Brathwaite <cnbrath -at- cbel -dot- cit -dot- nih -dot- gov>]

Michael West wrote:

> Most people don't  "read" manuals because the
> best manuals aren't designed to be "read." They're
> designed to be used when needed, hurriedly,
> and then cast aside until next time.
>

Chantel says:
I agree.

Michael says:

> "They're boring" doesn't make sense to me.
> A manual is supposed to answer questions.
> If it fails to answer the question you need
> answered, then being "boring" isn't the problem.
> And if you don't have a question you need answered,
> why are you "reading" it?

Chantel says:

When I said that they were boring, I was thinking about the popularity of the
dummies books.  Sometimes they replicate what is already in documentation or
more "staid" manuals/books.  Yet, judging solely by the amount of people who buy
them, many people seem to prefer them.  Many dummies books present solid
technical information in a lively way -- I just think that if something is
technically accurate and it is "enjoyable" people are more apt to refer to it,
or to even *gasp* read about features they don't have questions about at the
present moment.


Chantel Brathwaite
SAIC


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