atw: Re: Screenshots in user doco - Yes or No?

All:

> [...] Do you include screenshots in your printed doco or
> not? Why? Why not?
> 
> [...]
> 
> So from a user's point of view, is it more user-friendly to include
> screenshots for a novice reader?

You don't have to include a screen shot for every step.  But consider a 
shot as a recognition device to reassure the reader that they have indeed 
come to the correct window.  And insert a screen shot after every step 
that causes a change of context, as when a window opens from a window 
(drill down), again to reassure the reader that they are at the correct 
GUI location.

Consider screen shots when a number of screens appear to be quite 
similar but have important differences, which can perhaps be emphasised 
by on overlaid ellipse or box.

Remember that readers of a book have to look away from the screen and back 

again and can lose their place.  Screen shots help them find what step 
they are up to.

In online help the relevant window is presumably open when the reader 
accesses help.  In any case, the explanation is adjacent to the 
window so it's easy to keep your place.

About your big book -- can you:

@       cut down on verbosity -- are you over explaining
@       reduce the margins
@       reduce the font size and leading
@       change to a two-column format
@       break it down into separate books, perhaps an 
        installation/configuration/maintenance/admin guide and 
        an operations/user guide?

Regards,
Hedley

--
Hedley Finger
Technical Communications Tools & Processes Specialist
MYOB Australia <http://myob.com/au>
P.O. box 371   Blackburn VIC 3130   Australia
12 Wesley Court   Tally Ho Business Park   East Burwood VIC 3151 Australia
<mailto:hedleyDOTfingerATmyobDOTcom>
Tel. +61 3 9222 9992 x 7421,   Mob. (cell) +61 412 461 558

© MYOB Technology Pty Ltd 2005
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