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Subject:Re: Graphics Don't Help From:Ron Miller <RSMH -at- AOL -dot- COM> Date:Sat, 11 Feb 1995 11:14:42 -0500
William -dot- Hartzer -at- EMC2-TAO -dot- FISC -dot- COM (William J. Hartzer)
Writes: If you add all sorts of graphics, etc. and extra words, it tends to
make the online help not so helpful.
I must disagree. I find putting the screen shot in the help system with
pop-up definitions for each field makes the help system infinitely more
useable.
While one writer pointed out that it does tend to make for a large help file,
I think it is important for key screens. You probably wouldn't place as many
screens as in the manual, but a judicial use of screens is necessary for many
programs.
A good help system includes a Table of Contents, and of course, the keyword
system is the index, so yes, it is very much akin to a paper manual. Many
people do not want to stop to find the paper manual, so the help system must
be as comprehensive as possible. Otherwise, it is frustrating for the user.
