Ron, You always bring a smile to my face, even when you direct your comments to me. <grin>
-- Tim Rosenlof Sunny and beautiful Utah On 9/1/2012 9:03 AM, Ron Bernier wrote: > I guess one solution would be for programmers to write several versions > of the same help files. This should satisfy the needs of those who > think logically, those who do not think logically, and those who fall > somewhere in between. Another solution would be for someone to invent > a pill that folks can take that will result in everyone having the same > thought patterns. Thus, when a programmer (regardless of the software) > writes a help file, it will be understood by everyone. Those who think > logically will be able to use the help file, those who don't think > logically will also be able to use the help file, and those who fall in > between will be able to use the help file - thus, no more complaints > from people who can't figure out/follow the help files. > > Of course, the downside of the pill version would be that we will all > think alike and thus we become zombies. The advantage to the pill > version is that software programmers wouldn't have struggle to try to > satisfy everyone when they write the help files. > > Ron Bernier, > Woonsocket, RI > > > ------ Original Message ------ > From: "Pat Hickin" <pph...@gmail.com> > To: LegacyUserGroup@legacyusers.com > Sent: 9/1/2012 8:33:09 AM > Subject: Re: [LegacyUG] Legacy Help problems >> Denise, >> I agree that Legacy is complex, the staff no doubt small, and that the >> Legacy staff does all sorts of wonderful things to assist its users, >> who range from novice to expert. One of the things I especially like >> about Legacy is the support staff, who often reply to emails posted by >> LUG. I agree they deserve kudos. >> >> That being said, the problem remains that instructions are often >> opaque and convoluted. In many instances,they could be dramatically >> improved through reorganization. For example, after a brief >> introductory paragraph, the instructions could tell us how to >> accomplish a particular purpose by giving the instructions in the >> order in which one does them. Beginning with the family view, simply >> tell us what to click on in the order in which the clicking needs to >> be done. When making reference, in a word or phrase, to something >> explained, that word or phrase could be hyper-linked (I think that's >> the term) to the explanation. More illustrations would also help to >> clarify things. >> >> One section that is quite well done, I think, is the Legacy Tips and >> Tricks set of instructions. Excellent illustrations help to make the >> text in that section easily intelligible. >> >> Also in the Legacy Tip that shows when you first open Legacy (unless >> you have that feature turned off) the instructions frequently tell >> what to click on in the order in which the clicks need to be done. >> >> Pat >> >> >> >> >> On Sat, Sep 1, 2012 at 3:59 AM, Larry Lee <ldlee...@gmail.com> wrote: >> Absolutely correct! Very well said. >> Can it be improved? Of course. >> Will it be improved? Yes. >> The developers have shown over time their desire to respond to user's >> complaints and continually improve their product and deserve kudos >> for all they do and have done. >> Regards, >> Larry Lee >> On Aug 31, 2012 10:18 PM, "Denise Moss-Fritch" >> <den...@newmoonalpacas.com> wrote: >> Good Day All, > >> While I have read the comments to this topic with interest, my >> response is not intended to replay to any one email. However, I am >> hoping that perhaps I can provide a bit of perspective. > >> Before retiring three years ago, I was the lead technical writer to >> a medical device company that provided equipment and software used >> in the treatment of cancer (radiation and chemo). The multi-module >> software recorded patient histories, treatments (planned and >> actuals), control of the radiation generating machine during >> treatment, through transfer of billing information to a hospital’s >> accounting system. The database that recorded the whole process was >> printed on a 4 x 5-feet poster with information describing the >> database shown in 8 point type (10 or 12 point type is standard). >> There are half a dozen development teams worldwide working on the >> software, with no one developer understanding all the program’s >> modules. Even the customers do not understand every element of every >> module of the multi-million lines of code. > >> In comparison, I believe I heard during one webinar that Legacy has >> 600,000 to 700,000 lines of code. Yet Legacy too is a complex >> software application offering components (modules) that some, while >> not all will use. For example, the Source Template Conversion Tool, >> multiple recorded source clipboards, the picture gallery, or using >> the Geo Location Database to search for surrounding cities are >> probably not used by every Legacy user, every time, yet those >> capabilities are available. > >> Just as the medical device software I described has multiple levels >> of users, so does Legacy. Attempting to provide information, whether >> details of how to use a feature or simple process flow (step-by-step >> procedure information) can be complex when dealing with multiple >> levels of users. Yet Legacy does offer a user guide, help system, >> two add-on books, and multiple webinars. While I suspect the Legacy >> staff is small, they do offer a variety of sources of information >> describing how to use Legacy. Providing user information for a >> complex software product, including information for multiple levels >> of users, is not an easy task. > >> For that effort, I wish to commend the Legacy staff for what they >> have accomplished to make their software understandable to so many >> different levels of users. > >> Best, > >> Denise L. 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