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.
Subject:Re: Printed vs. Online: What mix? From:Mark Youran <youran -at- VITEK -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 26 Sep 1995 17:58:12 -0500
I think the decision should be a preogative of the *users*. Has anyone
asked them?
My own company is moving towards your choice #2. Our users need info
**fast**, therefore we must provide it in a medium that makes it
avaiable online.
On Tue, 26 Sep 1995, Starr, Mike wrote:
> I'd like to get a feel for how other companies out there blend printed
> and online software documentation. My own personal inclination is to
> develop a complete and thorough manual, then convert that same
> information into a complete and thorough help file. Some people feel that
> there should be a minimalist manual and a complete and thorough help file
> (the Microsoft approach); others feel that there should be a complete and
> thorough manual and a minimalist help file. I think that whatever
> approach is taken it should be the same approach for all of a company's
> products, thus the decision should probably be a prerogative of upper
> management. How do you vote?
> 1. Comprehensive printed/comprehensive online
> 2. Minimal printed/comprehensive online
> 3. Comprehensive printed/minimal online
> Mike
> Mike Starr
> Writer
> Rockwell Software Inc.
> mike -dot- starr -at- software -dot- rockwell -dot- com