Re: Screen Capture Placement

["David B. Demyan" <dbdemyan -at- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET>]

Barb:

In simple WinHelp designs, I like to put small screen caps
at the top of the topic, then put a **few** instructions or
description below it. However, this practice does not apply
for bigger screen caps and longer instructions, which should
be split into two or more topics to avoid scrolling.

The problem is that people using help systems fly through
them so fast, I fear there is a risk of users not seeing
instructions or descriptions if they have to scroll down.
In the WinHelp business, you have to put the important
stuff (whatever that may be) up top. Imagine the complaints
you would get if your system relied on showing examples
for recognition and the screen sample was at the very
bottom of the topic, scrolled off-screen on most systems!

Dave.

Barb Ostapina wrote:

[snip]

> captures should appear after the instruction/text that references them,
> never before. I certainly agree that they shouldn't appear *long* before
> the instruction, but what's wrong with having the picture just before it?
> I'm thinking it is helpful to the reader to see the screen before the
> instruction so he'll know he's in the right place when he takes the action
> specified in the instruction. Anybody have an opinion they'd care to share?

--
* - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *
David B. Demyan                            dbd -at- mendem -dot- com
Mendem Concord, Inc.                http://www.mendem.com
Warren, New Jersey                           888-753-8500


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