RE: These users have us stumped!

[JB Foster <jb -dot- foster -at- shaw -dot- ca>]

Well ... to me, it sounds like they understood what they were being asked to
do. ;-)

I create technical documents for the power-generating industry, and
therefore make assumptions that the reader knows how to use a wrench and
screwdriver. These are basic skills of that industry, and unless told
otherwise, I expect that my readers find these skills almost 'second nature'
for themselves.

Your situation would be very similar, where the presumption would be - that
employees using your documentation, should find operating (or navigating)
around MS Windows, along with keyboarding skills, as second-nature.
Otherwise they are handicapped from the start, and will likely require
additional time to become comfortable with using your company's software
(some never will).

If you think about it ... if your client started to hire illiterates, how
would either of you cope then? These new-hires have to have some basic
skills, otherwise your client is being a bit unreasonable with both your
company and their new staff ... They should concentrate on insuring basic
skill levels, first.

In my opinion - your client is asking a bit much, if they expect a free-bee.
But that is easy for me to say, since I don't have to answer to them ... yet
it is an interesting situation to be in.

Bruce


John Gilger wrote:

<snip>
> .... three students picked up their
> mice and touched the screen with it when told to "Point at the
> icon with your mouse." The lady managing these users says that
> they can't understand the context sensitive on-line help that
> says, "Right-click on XXX and select YYY from the list." and
> includes a screen shot of the cursor pointing at XXX and another
> screen shot of the expanded list with YYY highlighted.
<snip>


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