By Kate McMahon
Nearly every company in today's world uses computers to do business; from manufacturing to stock trading computers are everywhere. In many cases it will require some kind of manual so that the end user knows how to make the most of the application. Writing software documentation can be done by the programmer but often a technical author is employed to do the work.
Technical authors can bridge the gap between the techie world of the designers and programmers and the layman who is likely to use the application. Their job is to explain the workings of the program in such a way that someone who has never used the program before can easily find their way through the menus or user interface. It is a skill that many programmers lack as their approach to the application is often from the coder's viewpoint rather than someone who needs to do a job with the finished product.
Technical authors can bridge the gap between the techie world of the designers and programmers and the layman who is likely to use the application. Their job is to explain the workings of the program in such a way that someone who has never used the program before can easily find their way through the menus or user interface. It is a skill that many programmers lack as their approach to the application is often from the coder's viewpoint rather than someone who needs to do a job with the finished product.
In the world of computer games, the game itself teaches the user as they go along, obviating the need for a manual. These self-teaching games show the gamer what to do as levels get progressively more difficult. Pop ups with tips and tricks and tutorials drive the player forward. This method however is not realistic when the software controls a power station.
Some of the best documentation is written by authors who start from the point of view "How can I do this" and then write instructions which can be followed easily to achieve results from each portion of the app. By following a standard format which take the user from starting the app, through its menu and functions through to what needs to be done in the event of problems, they can produce a comprehensive guide. This guide may then be formatted to a certain specification reflecting the company's style.
It is important for the author to know who the audience for the manual will be. A manual containing a lot of jargon and technical terms if of very little use to an end user with little or no computer knowledge. Conversely one which explained too simply would not suit IT specialists who need to know the inner workings of an application.
Any manual should be clear, concise and laid out so that the information flows in a logical manner. The complexity of the application will often determine the size and format of the final document. A very simple menu system might only require a few pages while a very specialized interface might need a tome the size of War and Peace.
However large or small the finished article, it must cover all the basic information which a user will need. They must be able to start the app, use all its functions correctly and know where to turn if things go wrong. Inclusion of pictorials showing menus, screen shots or other helpful diagrams is extremely helpful and works
Some of the best documentation is written by authors who start from the point of view "How can I do this" and then write instructions which can be followed easily to achieve results from each portion of the app. By following a standard format which take the user from starting the app, through its menu and functions through to what needs to be done in the event of problems, they can produce a comprehensive guide. This guide may then be formatted to a certain specification reflecting the company's style.
It is important for the author to know who the audience for the manual will be. A manual containing a lot of jargon and technical terms if of very little use to an end user with little or no computer knowledge. Conversely one which explained too simply would not suit IT specialists who need to know the inner workings of an application.
Any manual should be clear, concise and laid out so that the information flows in a logical manner. The complexity of the application will often determine the size and format of the final document. A very simple menu system might only require a few pages while a very specialized interface might need a tome the size of War and Peace.
However large or small the finished article, it must cover all the basic information which a user will need. They must be able to start the app, use all its functions correctly and know where to turn if things go wrong. Inclusion of pictorials showing menus, screen shots or other helpful diagrams is extremely helpful and works
It is important for the author to know who the audience for the manual will be. A manual containing a lot of jargon and technical terms if of very little use to an end user with little or no computer knowledge. Conversely one which explained too simply would not suit IT specialists who need to know the inner workings of an application.
Any manual should be clear, concise and laid out so that the information flows in a logical manner. The complexity of the application will often determine the size and format of the final document. A very simple menu system might only require a few pages while a very specialized interface might need a tome the size of War and Peace.
However large or small the finished article, it must cover all the basic information which a user will need. They must be able to start the app, use all its functions correctly and know where to turn if things go wrong. Inclusion of pictorials showing menus, screen shots or other helpful diagrams is extremely helpful and works well in online and printed documents.
Writing software documentation can also be a collaboration between the programmer, the user and a specialist writer. In this way everyone should be happy with the finished document. The programmer knows that all the functionality is covered and the writer can convert tech-speak to words suitable for the intended audience. Good documentation should be easy to read while giving complete information on the product.
About the Author:
Any manual should be clear, concise and laid out so that the information flows in a logical manner. The complexity of the application will often determine the size and format of the final document. A very simple menu system might only require a few pages while a very specialized interface might need a tome the size of War and Peace.
However large or small the finished article, it must cover all the basic information which a user will need. They must be able to start the app, use all its functions correctly and know where to turn if things go wrong. Inclusion of pictorials showing menus, screen shots or other helpful diagrams is extremely helpful and works well in online and printed documents.
Writing software documentation can also be a collaboration between the programmer, the user and a specialist writer. In this way everyone should be happy with the finished document. The programmer knows that all the functionality is covered and the writer can convert tech-speak to words suitable for the intended audience. Good documentation should be easy to read while giving complete information on the product.
About the Author:
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