[WriteLog] Curious?? (long)
Barry
w2up@mindspring.com
Thu, 29 Nov 2001 21:45:17 -0000
Mike,
Though I've never done it, it would probably be quicker, easier and
cheaper to take the manual on disk to a copy center like Staples
or Kinkos and have them print it for you on one of their fast lasers
that prints and collates.
Barry
On 29 Nov 01, Mike Baker wrote:
> I don't think I could have said it any better myself....
> One of my pet peves with much of the software industry is the complexity
> of the instructions. A manual should just be a reference tool. An old and
> dear friend who has been programming for over 30 years once told me "The
> software should be intuitive enough to operate with an instruction set that
> fits on a cocktail napkin!!"
> BTW, have any of you tried to print out a manual that is over 100 pages
> long and keep it together properly? Lets see, first put a New ink cart in
> the printer so I don't run out printing this thing out (about $25 = or -),
> load 100+ sheets of paper in printer. Ah er, I wonder does that cover the
> cover and index as well? First print the odd pages, remember which way to
> flop the paper over, and print the even pages in the correct order on the
> reverse side of what you just printed. Yeah, right. Maybe after 3 attempts
> you might get it right and besides, IT TAKES FOREVER TO PRINT IT OUT! Pack a
> lunch...
> In all fairness to WriteLog, I like the program but it could shure use a
> set of help tool like this fellow just described. I helps that others have
> put together help web sites of their own to lend a hand to us just getting
> started or restarted after some time off.
>
> Mike Baker K7DD
> k7dd@qwest.net
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tim Makins, EI8IC" <ei8ic@eircom.net>
> To: <WriteLog@contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 11:39 AM
> Subject: Re: [WriteLog] Curious?? (long)
>
>
> > A lot of very interesting emails were received in response to my posting,
> > both on and off-list. We all seem to agree that Writelog is an excellent
> and
> > unique product, providing the contester with facilities not available else
> > where. Some of you seem to have missed the point of my email (my error, no
> > doubt) which was purely one of USABILITY. This can be cured not by
> changing
> > the progam, but rather by changing the help and ease of useage. The days
> of
> > the TRS-80 and the 286 are long gone, and with the facilities provided by
> > the Windows enviroment, it should be possible for any programmer to
> provide
> > a product that can be enjoyed by all levels of user, from the
> > computer-illiterate to the hardened computer professional who has worked
> his
> > or her way up from DOS to the present day.
> >
> > How to make things better ? An example springs to mind of the Web-Design
> > program that I use, 1st Page 2000. Switch it on, and I am presented with 4
> > levels of complexity - Easy, Normal, Expert, or Hardcore. A series of Help
> > Boxes appear as I start to use the different features, each of which can
> be
> > permanently turned off (Don't Show Me This Again) once I am happy with how
> > the program is functioning. A 'Start Manager' is available, that offers me
> > choices in plain English for the different tasks I might want to start.
> > Templates are available, Tips and Tricks, A Reference Guide to HTML, and
> > direct links within the program that will take me to a web Tour,
> > Screenshots, and a Tech Support Area. The Help Guide contains an Overview,
> A
> > List of Features, A Tag Library, and guides to Project Management, Code
> > Management, Scripts, and tools to Fix, Format, and Compress. Starting off
> in
> > Easy Mode, there are various Wizards that take me through a variety of
> > tasks. As I improve my knowledge of this very complex program, I can move
> up
> > a level, the graphics disappear, and are replaced by quickly accessible
> > buttons that do the jobs I want to do. The one feature I miss is the
> > floating Question Mark, used by many programs, that allows me to question
> > any of the items on the screen.
> >
> > At no time do I have to edit any kind of .ini file. The options that I
> want
> > are presented clearly and concisely, enabling me to produce great-looking
> > websites without ever needing to print out the manual. Somebody has
> clearly
> > spent a lot of time writing a great program, and then spent another lot
> > carefully thinking about all the types of users that might use the
> programs,
> > and the problems and questions that they might have. I would respectfully
> > like to disagree with Wayne, K7WM, when he says:
> >
> > >...Its not a "setup the day before
> > >contest starts" type of program nor should it be...
> >
> > I believe that these days, with all the Windows and memory resources
> > available to the programmer, a program should be just as accessible to my
> > Grandma as it is to Randy K5ZD and other 'Kings of the Contest' who have
> > spent many hours perfecting their technique.
> >
> > Finally, let me say that I'm not trying to prolong the use of DOS
> programs.
> > These have clearly had their day, and will gracefully fade away as time
> > passes. Long Live Windows, Long Live Writelog, Long Live Usability.
> >
> >
> > Tim, EI8IC
> > www.qsl.net/ei8ic/
> > The European HF Contesting Website
> > Recent winner of the 'DX Zone' Editors choice Award.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > WriteLog mailing list
> > WriteLog@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> WriteLog mailing list
> WriteLog@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
--
Barry Kutner, W2UP Internet: w2up@mindspring.com
Newtown, PA Frankford Radio Club