Re: User Manual par excellance

["Lisa M. Bronson" <lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com>]

Interesting that you bring up case studies. There is a new article by
Virginia McMorrow on the TECHWR-L Web site about using case studies to
liven up dry internal communications like policy manuals. Check it out
at http://www.techwr-l.com/ct.php?link=http://www.techwhirl.com/techwhirl/employmentarticles/writehire.html

Lisa B.



On 9/20/05, Nuckols, Kenneth M <Kenneth -dot- Nuckols -at- mybrighthouse -dot- com> wrote:
> 
> Chris said, in response to Peggy...
> 
> >
> > Hi Peggy,
> >
> > Maybe you just need a catchy opening line. How 'bout:
> >
> > "Rosy-fingered Dawn, the system administrator, marveled at the new XYZ
> > software, her overheated hand a blur as it swept the mouse through the
> > bevy of new screens...."
> >
> > --Chris
> >
> 
> When I first saw Peggy's post I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I
> think Chris makes an intriguing suggestion:
> 
> Peggy, maybe you could create some sort of fictional "case study"
> showing how the shiny new software app your manual accompanies saved
> time, money, and/or stress for an individual, small business, or
> enterprise (depending on what kind of app it is, of course). If you
> start with a dilemma that your developers and market research folks have
> identified as highly likely among people who will buy the software and
> tell them a good story with a bit of drama, a little flair, and a happy
> ending (brought about via the deus-ex-machina of your new application)
> you could make them eager to read the rest of the manual to learn how to
> solve their own similar crisis.

-- 
"Experience has taught me that serving God without work does not
amount to anything, and working without serving God does not amount to
anything."  --Rev. M. L. Latta, A.M., D.D (b.1853)

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