Comments for Answers for All

Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by Marc Achtelig

Marc Achtelig — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:22:37 +0000

I think there is one more aspect why embedded help can be a good thing: My wife often complains that I’d rather search for an hour to find my way before I am willing to ask somebody for directions. The problem is: I just don’t want to admit that I need help. It is the same with many users. They do not want to admit that they need help, so they don’t call it. However, if by some lucky coincidence there is some clue on the screen this does not hurt their ego and gets them back on the right track.

Comment on Is It Time for a New Tool? by Marc Achtelig

Marc Achtelig — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:05:33 +0000

I agree with Scott that we will experience a lot more convergence. If server-based, collaborative tools are to gain a growing share of the market (and they will) this will only happen as long as they use open standards to store data. One of the first question of my clients when choosing new documentation tools usually is: “Who is the company behind that tool? Will they survive the next 10 years or so? What are our options if this company no longer exists?”. With client-based software, at least you have to option to continue using it, even if it is no longer supported. With a server-based solution, well…

Comment on Technical Communication Trends and Ideas by Answers for All » Blog Archive » Technical Communication: Design or Content?

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:47:03 +0000

[...] Technical Communication Trends and Ideas [...]

Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by Weekly links roundup by Communications from DMN

Weekly links roundup by Communications from DMN — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:33:53 +0000

[...] Embedded user assistance can impact documentation [...]

Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by paulm

paulm — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:08:14 +0000

Aneesa, embedded user assistance is different from context-sensitive help in that it is integrated directly into the user interface. It also isn’t labeled as help (so more users will actually read it). For example, wizards are actually traditional documentation (steps) integrated into the UI as a guided process. The most important aspect is that information/assistance is delivered when and where the user needs it without making the user stop what he/she is doing and going into a separate help system to find the information he/she needs. Does that help?

Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by Weekly links roundup by Communications from DMN

Weekly links roundup by Communications from DMN — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:19:51 +0000

[...] A short musing on how embedded UA impacts documentation [...]

Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by Aneesha

Aneesha — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:50:20 +0000

How is this different from context sensitive help?

Comment on Building a Valuable Conference by Linda O

Linda O — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:02:18 +0000

I think each of us has a different definition of what makes an excellent conference. Some of us work at companies who have leading-edge technologies, some don’t. Some of us love lots of networking and seeing old friends and some don’t. See what I mean? I usually learn more from individuals than I do from any one session, yet I want to attend sessions so I can run into the right individuals. I’m comforted by the fact that you’ve asked. I know that people like you will do all you can to offer us the best conference possible.

Comment on Building a Valuable Conference by Kat Nagel

Kat Nagel — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:32:38 +0000

It seems odd that you still lump ‘web’ with ‘emerging technology.’ Yes, some web techniques qualify as ET, but web-in-general has been mainstream for a while now.

I’d like to see web-in-general topics classed along w/print and help in the Architecture and Design, Writing and Editing. Education and Training, Usability and Accessibility categories. Keep Emerging Tech separate, and use for mobile web, social media, and truly new technologies that will impact our future work.

Thanks,
K@

Comment on Building a Valuable Conference by Cindy Pao

Cindy Pao — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:29:38 +0000

Please keep the mix of invited speakers and speakers who have submitted session proposals.

I’d like to see topics about user task analysis (but not only for software users and documentation); developing templates (but not using any one specific tool)-what elements you might include in a template and some of the design elements involved; ethics; and Society topics-getting published in our publications and some of the volunteer projects in progress.

Just a couple of ideas for the Program Committee…