Denise, My suggestion for multiple versions of the help file was strictly tongue in cheek. It wouldn't matter how many versions of a help file existed, there will always be users who are going to complain that the help file doesn't help them. There was one user on this list not too long ago who made it very clear that she expected the help files to give her explicit step by step instructions because she had no desire to learn how to use a computer, she only wanted to do genealogy. That would be a user that no one would ever be able to write an acceptable help file for - no desire to actually learn the proper way to use the program. Other users complaining about the help file have pretty much said that the help file wasn't useful because the help wasn't in the order they beleived it should be - how does a tech writer get into each persons head and figure out how "Nancy" is thinking the steps for a particular function should be completed as opposed to how "Herman" is thinking the steps for the exact same function should be completed.
The point I was making was that if someone is going to use a computer/program, they need to put some effort into learning how to complete the task they are trying to do. I think it is extremely foolish for anyone to expect whoever writes the help file - be it tech writer or programmer to be able to satisfy everyone. One suggestion was made that perhaps a new user should be involved in writing the help file - if the person is a new user, how can they effectively assist in writing the help file when they know nothing about the program. If you think people complain now because they don't like the way the help file is written - try having a neophyte involved in writing the file. Bottom line, I think folks need to put a little more effort and though into utilizing the help file instead of immediately complaining that the help file doesn't help them. Ron Bernier Woonsocket, RI ------ Original Message ------ From: "Denise Moss-Fritch" <den...@newmoonalpacas.com> To: LegacyUserGroup@legacyusers.com Sent: 9/1/2012 2:20:17 PM Subject: RE: [LegacyUG] Legacy Help problems >A few more thoughts if I may about ‘how-to’ information in Legacy. >First, how many are aware of the tutorial topics available in Legacy’s >help system? To find the list of tutorial topics, do the following: >1. Click the Help icon in the toolbar. >2. From the Legacy Help Contents page, click Tutorial Lessons. >3. Select from the list on the Examples and Demos topic. >One writer suggested multiple versions of the same help file, for >example, novice, intermediate, and advanced. Please understand that a >user is not all novice, or all advanced in their use or understanding >of legacy. You might rarely use one feature of Legacy, being a novice >with that feature, while an expert with another feature you constantly >use. >There are methods of writing multiple levels of instruction into one >help topic by “hiding” detailed explanations within the procedure. >Those ‘hidden’ sections can be displayed to provide greater details. >However, the structure of a typical Legacy help topic suggests that >the Legacy staff does not include an experienced technical writer. >Again, Legacy’s staff is just too small. A check of the About >information on the help file shows the help authoring tool being used >is Microsoft’s HTML Control Version 6.1 (a basic help authoring >system) and (of course) the standard help compiler from Microsoft. >Please remember too that a help system is linked by topic flow, not >sequential information flow as with a book. Creating a help system is >far more complex than writing a book, since with a help system you can >link any topic (page) to any other topic. That linkage is something >that cannot be duplicated with a book. >Best, >Denise L. Moss-Fritch > > >Legacy User Group guidelines: >http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp ><http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Etiquette.asp> >Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: >http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyusers.com/ >Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: >http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/ >Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp ><http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/Help.asp> >Follow Legacy on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegacyFamilyTree) >and on our blog (http://news.legacyfamilytree.com/). >To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp ><http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp> Legacy User Group guidelines: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp Archived messages after Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyusers.com/ Archived messages from old mail server - before Nov. 21 2009: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup@legacyfamilytree.com/ Online technical support: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Help.asp Follow Legacy on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegacyFamilyTree) and on our blog (http://news.LegacyFamilyTree.com). To unsubscribe: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/LegacyLists.asp
