TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Good question; maybe it would be worthwhile to think about
how 'help' started? I don't have a clue; here's some
speculation:
*Documentation was HUGE and too difficult/clumsy to use?
*Quick and dirty fixes are more attractive than long, well
thought out explanations? [ for Americans! ]
I think of the concept of 'help' as the precursor to EPSS -
and wonder how long it will really be useful in current
formats. Perhaps it will evolve and eventually look and
be like EPSS? Elaine
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. Winters: Principal Program Facilitating and Consulting
Berkeley, CA, USA 510-843-0909 ewinters -at- netcom -dot- com
Instructional Design * Interactivity * Cross - Cultural Communication
_________________________________________________________________________
On Sat, 17 Sep 1994 JonPrice -at- AOL -dot- COM wrote:
> To put together answers to frequently asked questions about help, I'm going
> to ask the questions, and see what you all think, then put together
> summaries.
> First: why bother doing help at all? What reasons do you think are valid,
> and which seem spurious?
> Best,
> Jonathan Price
> The Communication Circle
> 918 La Senda, NW
> Albuquerque, NM 87107