Re: Preferences versus defaults

[Laura Lemay <lemay -at- lauralemay -dot- com>]

Susan W Gallagher wrote:
> When you first install software, any options that the application offers are
> set to arbitrary values and these are the _default_. If the user does
> nothing, the software operates perfectly well using the default values.

That's true of desktop applications on individual machines, where there 
is one install and one user.

But for server- or web-based applications it is entirely possible (and, 
in fact, very common) for there to be BOTH installation defaults (what 
you get initially when the software is installed) AND site defaults 
(what the administrator sets the defaults to be).  When the user starts 
the application for the first time, they get the current *site* defaults 
and can change them from there.

If you're writing documentation for the application administrator 
(versus the end user), then writing a task that refers to changing the 
defaults makes sense in that context.

I'm not sure if this is Debra's actual problem, though.

Laura

-- 
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Laura Lemay     Killer of Trees     lemay % lne.com    lemay % gmail.com
http://www.lauralemay.com                     http://blog.lauralemay.com
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^









^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.