File->Open

[geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA]

 I can't imagine anyone having difficulty understanding
 File->Open, but it nonetheless happens, and I've been
 computing for too long to be a typical reader. So, putting
 on my information design hat, let's think visually for a
 moment and see if there's another way. Got it... how about
 a diagram of the open menu, with the appropriate sequence
 of actions highlighted? For a single-step command, there'd
 be a graphic of the File menu with the Open command
 highlighted; for a multi-step command (e.g., with cascading
 menus), you'd add to this the second menu in the hierarchy,
 with the next command highlighted, and so on for
 third-level menus.

 There's lots to play with and resolve if you adopt this
 approach (e.g., how to handle really long menus, how to
 pair the accompanying text with the graphic, etc.), but it
 gives you an interesting alternative to experiment with. It
 also seems more universally effective, since anyone who
 understands how to use menus can see at a glance where to
 go to find the command, and the path followed to implement
 the command.

 --Geoff Hart     @8^{)}     geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
 Disclaimer: Speaking for myself, not FERIC.

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