atw: Re: Steps and consequences

I've always thought that there is no point wasting user brain time telling
them the really obvious (that when they click OK, something will happen).
They need to be able to skim through the steps, and they probably won't even
read the notes unless something goes horribly wrong (ie the XYZ screen does
not appear). The notes are just a little bit of reassurance that everything
is going as it should.
I don't think any studies have ever been done, but I bet that if they were,
users would not read the notes in the first layout, but would read the notes
in the second layout (where the notes are placed next to the number, thereby
elevating their status). End result, second layout takes longer to read, and
is perceived as wordy/frustrating/slow etc etc.

Like I said before, just my thoughts. Does the online textbook support that?

Thanks and regards
Andrea

-----Original Message-----
From: Naomi Kramer [mailto:nkr@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, 29 March 2004 2:28 PM
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: atw: Re: Steps and consequences


Thanks Andrea.

That's my preference too - I used to do it the other way, but someone =
pulled
me up on it and I realised they had a point (that each step should be an
action taken by the user).  But now I've been told I should do it the =
other
way round :-/

Hrmmm... I've found an 'online textbook' that supports my way of doing
things, so I think I'll just point to that if I get more arguments.  But
please keep the opinions coming, people - I'm open to my mind being =
changed!
:)

- Naomi

-----Original Message-----


My vote is for the former:
1. Click OK.

   <i>The XYZ screen appears</i>

2. Enter whatever....

But that's just a personal preference!=20

Regards, Andrea

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