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We have always opted for using headers and footers on blank pages.
It seems to me that putting "This page is blank" on a blank page is
extraneous information. In this information-overloaded society, less
can be more.
Michael Burke
Technical Writer
WSI Corporation
Billerica, MA
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: This page blank...
Author: Wendy Putman <wputman -at- CASTLETON -dot- COM> at INTERNET
Date: 4/30/98 8:29 AM
About 10 years ago, the tech writers in my workplace had the debate
about whether or not to put the statement on our pages, as our customer
support line got a significant number of calls from customers who
claimed they got a defective manual because some of the pages were
blank. At the time, I believe we opted for putting headers and footers
on the page so end users wouldn't think this was a printing error. I
would hope that the literacy level of users has risen since then, but
the computer humor that goes around the net (people who call the support
line because their computers won't work -- because they neglected to
turn it on, etc.) would indicate otherwise. If your end users are
"regular folk", sometimes known as the ""general public" or great
unwashed", I'd caution you to weigh your options carefully.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lisa Comeau [SMTP:COMEAUL -at- CSA -dot- CA]
> Sent: Thursday, April 30, 1998 7:15 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: This page blank...
>
> If the reason for leaving the page blank is so that the reader can
> make
> notes, why not simply put the word "notes" on the top of the page? If
> it is
> for another (legitimate) reason, why not just say so on the page? (I'm
> confused...)
> Lisa Comeau
> IS Super-User/Trainer
> Certification & Testing Division
> Canadian Standards Association
> Etobicoke, ONTARIO
> comeaul -at- csa -dot- ca
> (416) 747 2597
> "A mind is a terrible thing to waste, especially on a waste of time."
>
>
> &^~~~
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