a brief overview of online help by jennifer l. bowie for electronic writing & publishing
TRANSCRIPT
A Brief Overview of Online Help
By Jennifer L. BowieFor Electronic Writing & Publishing
What is online help?
• Software with the “primary purpose to provide information and assist the user in completing some task in another piece of computer software” (Pratt, 33)
• Evolved from the often huge print manuals that used to come with software
• Often of two main types:– Goal-based/task-orientated: help users achieve
a certain goal or tasks – Problem-solver: help users to solve problems
with the interface/software
What is the online help family?
• Grandparents: user manuals• Parents: online documentation
(the user manual put on screen)• Siblings:
– Online help– Wizards: intrinsic help, helps users
perform a particular task– Embedded help: help within the
interface, does not require user to leave the task
Examples: Online Help
Examples: Wizards
Examples: Embedded Help
Questions?
• Sources: – “Where is the Instruction…”
Pratt– “Embedded Help…” Ray &
Ray – “10 Design Principles…”
Lancaster– “Wizards” Allen