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>The colon is arbitrary. A dash, semicolon or asterisk would work as well.
>Any comments?
I started using an arrow (Select File -> Open) when I started
documenting GUI products in 1992/3. I'm now starting in my third
company, and consequently choosing my third arrow style, since
then. OOOOOpppps -- forgot the contract design work I did --
fourth arrow style! It works very well for all levels of user.
(This I've tested, surveyed, and observed, so I can say for
sure). I only use it for menu selections, tho, not for
option (radio) button selection or command button clicking.
I've also seen the vertical bar used (Select File|Open), and
although this seems to be easily understood as well, I sense
that it stops the forward motion of your eye when you scan
the line (empirical evidence only, no proof) so it's less
readable than the arrow.
-Sue Gallagher
sgallagher -at- expersoft -dot- com