Re: SIGIA-L: screen numbering

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screen numberingI am sure we all have opinions.

Who uses the numbering and what for? Is it an artifact of having converted a printed document? Is it required for legal reasons?

Over the many years of working with online documentation (Help systems, ebooks, and others) I have never seen any user get anything other than confused by a numbering scheme that mimics the paper world. Hypertext, by its very nature, is non-linear. Unless you are guiding a user through a series of steps on multiple pages, using a Next button or similar scheme, what would be the point of numbering the pages?

The title of the section is what communicates meaning to a use, not the numbers. If you are trying to help the user remember where they are in relationships to other pages, then use a breadcrumb element or have a visible TOC that highlights the current position in the hierarchy.

Mary Deaton
(206) 323-0701
Fax: (413)254-4116
New content; new design at http://home.mindspring.com/~mmdeaton/default.htm
  ----- Original Message -----
  Terie Clement
  wrote
  wondering if anyone has a definitive opinion on screen numbering -- I'm dealing with a site that could get into the 8-9 digit figures and would like to tone it down

  currently using a .....

          1.0 section
                  1.1 subsection
                          1.11 subsection of subsection
                          1.12 subsection of subsection
                  1.2 subsection
          2.0 section, etc.

  method

  thank you -- terie clement
  lookandfeel.com

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