Comments for Answers for All http://www.useraid.com/blog A blog of various topics and random thoughts Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:26:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by paulm http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/05/12/embedded-user-assistance/comment-page-1/#comment-6638 paulm Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:26:47 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=80#comment-6638 This topic continues to be popular as more applications move toward integrated user assistance. Integrating community-generated content into applications is also an interesting related area. Nicky Bleiel (www.nickybleiel.com) and Scott DeLoach (www.clickstart.net) also often present conference sessions about embedded and integrated user assistance. If you would like to explore other options and methods, feel free to email me and I can share other samples with you. This topic continues to be popular as more applications move toward integrated user assistance. Integrating community-generated content into applications is also an interesting related area.

Nicky Bleiel (www.nickybleiel.com) and Scott DeLoach (www.clickstart.net) also often present conference sessions about embedded and integrated user assistance. If you would like to explore other options and methods, feel free to email me and I can share other samples with you.

]]> Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by JamesD http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/05/12/embedded-user-assistance/comment-page-1/#comment-6637 JamesD Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:14:45 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=80#comment-6637 Paul - I was just reading your blog post about embedded user assistance. We are thinking of moving towards embedding user assistance into one of our new apps, and I would really like to know how we can leverage our existing tools (RoboHelp, FrameMaker) to create this content. Any information you can give me would be much appreciated. You can email me directly if you find it is more appropriate. Paul – I was just reading your blog post about embedded user assistance. We are thinking of moving towards embedding user assistance into one of our new apps, and I would really like to know how we can leverage our existing tools (RoboHelp, FrameMaker) to create this content. Any information you can give me would be much appreciated. You can email me directly if you find it is more appropriate.

]]> Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by Marc Achtelig http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/05/12/embedded-user-assistance/comment-page-1/#comment-5323 Marc Achtelig Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:22:37 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=80#comment-5323 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. 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 http://www.useraid.com/blog/2008/12/29/new-tool/comment-page-1/#comment-5322 Marc Achtelig Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:05:33 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=58#comment-5322 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... 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? http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/05/13/trends-and-ideas/comment-page-1/#comment-4217 Answers for All » Blog Archive » Technical Communication: Design or Content? Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:47:03 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=86#comment-4217 [...] Technical Communication Trends and Ideas [...] [...] Technical Communication Trends and Ideas [...]

]]> Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by   Weekly links roundup by Communications from DMN http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/05/12/embedded-user-assistance/comment-page-1/#comment-3045   Weekly links roundup by Communications from DMN Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:33:53 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=80#comment-3045 [...] Embedded user assistance can impact documentation [...] [...] Embedded user assistance can impact documentation [...]

]]> Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by paulm http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/05/12/embedded-user-assistance/comment-page-1/#comment-2967 paulm Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:08:14 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=80#comment-2967 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? 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 http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/05/12/embedded-user-assistance/comment-page-1/#comment-2960   Weekly links roundup by Communications from DMN Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:19:51 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=80#comment-2960 [...] A short musing on how embedded UA impacts documentation [...] [...] A short musing on how embedded UA impacts documentation [...]

]]> Comment on How Embedded User Assistance Impacts Documentation by Aneesha http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/05/12/embedded-user-assistance/comment-page-1/#comment-2941 Aneesha Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:50:20 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=80#comment-2941 How is this different from context sensitive help? How is this different from context sensitive help?

]]> Comment on Building a Valuable Conference by Linda O http://www.useraid.com/blog/2009/07/08/building-a-valuable-conference/comment-page-1/#comment-2797 Linda O Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:02:18 +0000 http://www.useraid.com/blog/?p=93#comment-2797 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. 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.

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