RE: Visuals in work instructions: how many is too much?

Subject: RE: Visuals in work instructions: how many is too much?
From: "Sarah Bouchier" <Sarah -dot- Bouchier -at- exony -dot- com>
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 16:19:12 +0100

>I'm a big fan of visuals.
>In an international/language barrier world,
>They are a blessing.

Well... yes and no. If your visuals have text in them (as most
screenshots of software will), redoing those visuals for each language
version might prove less of a blessing.

In general I think I tend to think of visuals the way I think of car
directions.

When driving somewhere, I don't need descriptions of every single
turning, set of traffic lights etc on the route; that would be
counterproductive, in that it makes a larger amount of material to wade
through. On the other hand, occasional indicators ('you'll pass a big
park on the left' 'if you go under a railway you've gone too far') that
help me notice when I've got lost are much appreciated.

I try to apply the same philosophy to my manuals.

Sarah Bouchier
Technical Author

exony
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


References:
RE: Visuals in work instructions: how many is too much?: From: Reffelt, Sheila

Previous by Author: RE: This is *not* political but...
Next by Author: The Mythical Man-Month: thankyou!
Previous by Thread: RE: Visuals in work instructions: how many is too much?
Next by Thread: Formatted lists question


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads