SIGIA-L Mail Archives: Re: SIGIA-L: Effective Online Help Appli
Re: SIGIA-L: Effective Online Help Applications
From: celia romaniuk (space_at_shadowgirl.net)
Date: Fri Mar 22 2002 - 17:58:14 EST
On Fri, 22 Mar 2002, LeJeune, Heather wrote:
> Hi Everyone!
>
> Does anyone know where I might find some good documentation on how to create
> online help systems so they're the most useful for users? In addition, can
> anyone point me to some good examples of existing help systems that are
> effective?
I've always liked the Macintosh's help system. Not only does it have an
effective search system (e.g. searching for screenshots takes you to
'taking pictures of your screen', which leads you to the relevant
commands); it also has a number of walk-throughs that are integrated into
the system. There are a number of 'help me' features that step you through
the relevant actions: opening menus, circling commands, waiting till
you're done, etc.
The nice thing is that these help features are integrated so that you're
shown what to do rather than just told. Another subtle features that the
animations that circle the commands are drawn in front you, rather than
just placed there are circles, so the feeling conveyed is one of guidance
rather than dictation of a formulated response.
If you want to see an example and don't have any convenient Mac users
around, mail me offlist and I'll send you 'screenshots' :)
Celia
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