[no subject]

[Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- PETVALU -dot- COM>]

I have a small situation that I would like some advice on how to handle.  I am
currently documenting a rather complex application.  Part of my job involves
user testing, so I usually try to mention potential "hazards" in design before
an application gets to the user testing phase.  Most developers are comfortable
with this and at least discuss/consider suggestions.

When the application is loaded (windows 95), it brings up a blank, grey screen
with three options on the Standard Toolbar:  File, View, Help.

Under File, there is only the option to setup the printer.
Under View, all other options (oops - I mean commands) appear, such as
templates, statements, etc.
There is nothing under Help.

I commented to the developer that :
a)  My initial reaction to the blank, grey screen was that the application was
not working or loading properly.  I am not a neophyte, and this WAS my initial
reaction.  I felt there should be some kind of message/graphic/anything.
b)  To add a template, I would select View>>Templates.  When the list of
templates appear, I select File>>New Template and answer about 50 questions.
To generate a statement, I would select View>>Statements.  When the list of
statements appear, I select File>>Generate Statement.
I felt that this process was confusing - the first thing the user has to do is
add templates.  I felt that the poor View option was being overworked.

The developer responded quite defensively, along the lines of "Well this is a
complex application with a very intricate menu system.  It is not like a word
processing program that will be mass distributed."

At this point, I got angry and stated that while I had never documented a word
processing program, I had documented hundreds of complex, limited audience
applications.  I then ended the meeting and said we would continue another
time.

My options are: (I'm still angry)
1.  Put the developer's phone number in the help file.
2.  Work on one of the many other, more enjoyable projects I have on my desk
and slow his down.(I know - this isn't really an option - it would be spiteful,
but it would feel good).

Seriously, did I have a reason to get upset (guilt is setting in).  How would
you guys have handled this situation?

Suzette Seveny
Markham, Ontario, Canada
sseveny -at- petvalu -dot- com or suzette -at- yesic -dot- com

 From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=