Bruce wrote: > I agree that the whole help system, and not just the > expressions part, needs a re-write. (Although one > problem with expressions is that, like scripts, it > really needs two sections: a tutorial and a reference > but the help tries to combine both).
Have you looked at the PPdb yet Bruce? It has split the expressions topic, separating the tutorial parts from the reference parts. All the "talk" parts of the topic have been collected into one page "About expressions" and, in other pages, the syntax reference for each expression is shown in a way that attempts to make them easier to look up. Is that similar to what you were suggesting in the quote above? In its Expressions section, the PPdb has presented the syntax reference lists in three different ways: (a) split into three groups according to the number of parameters (which is how help arranges them) (b) arranged alphabetically (which makes it easier to find a particular known expression) (c) arranged in functional categories, such as expressions for filing, expressions about strings, those about date and time, etc. (which makes it asier to find an unknown expression) I am not suggesting that Help should list the expressions several times in different ways (which is more suitable for a db than for Help); but if the Expressions topic in Help is to be rearranged, do consider grouping them by their functional category, not by how many arguments they take. _______________________________________________________ This discussion about redesigning Powerpro Help considers the PPST as a model without considering the PPdb's alternative ideas about how to present the information. I believe it is worth looking at because in some ways it is more convenient and ergonomic as a reference tool than either the hlp/chm/doc or the PPST. ___________________________________________________ Hakki wrote: > I'm a designer and have some experience with HTML, PDF, > and document conversions so I suggest that Alan should > leave the technical and stylistic aspects to me and > concentrate on improving the text content. OK, I shall defer to your expertise about stylistic aspects, in spite of my long career as a professional graphic designer. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70 http://us.click.yahoo.com/Z1wmxD/DREIAA/yQLSAA/JV_rlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/power-pro/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
