Microcomputer Users' Preferences for Software Documentation: An Analysis

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 1988

Microcomputer Users' Preferences for Software Documentation: An Analysis

John M. Penrose San Diego State University ; Lawrence M. Seiford University of Massachusetts Amherst

Abstract

Fundamental requirements for good user documentation have not changed over the years. Manuals must be complete, accurate, clear, readable, and available on time. What has changed are tolerances and standards. Today's users—typically business professionals but even expert technicians and engineers—will no longer accept unreadable and inaccessible publications. The days of documentation with poor organization, limited graphic support, and poor aesthetics have passed. This article analyzes users' opinions and preferences for microcomputer software documentation. The results provide valuable guidance for software authors, designers, and publishers.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1988-10-01
DOI: 10.2190/xnqg-n8ld-p1f2-2r0f
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multimodality

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓

Documentation: The Paper Chase, PC Week, pp. 107–110, January 16, 1984.

↗
Penrose John and Muller Douglas, A Qualitative Comparison of Three Microcomputer Business Letter Libraries, J…

↗
Penrose John and Muller Douglas, Telecommunications and its Relationship to Business Communication, Journal o…

↗

CrossRef global citation count: 6 View in citation network →