Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 1983

Writing and Compiling Computer user Documentation in a Text Processing Environment

Roger K. Toms

Abstract

This article emphasizes the growing need for good technical communication in application program development, and relates the usability of program documentation to the productivity of computer systems. It describes in detail the process involved and the human thinking that must accompany the generation of high quality computer user documentation. The methodology described in this paper has been exercised by the author on two major interactive IBM application programs. However, the methodology should not be interpreted as an IBM discipline, and views expressed in this paper are those of the author.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1983-10-01
DOI
10.2190/ky4y-85r6-hgyx-m3lx
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Closed
Topics
technical communication digital rhetoric
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References (11) · 1 in this index

  1. Reading material listed here contains useful information related to the ease of use of computers.
  2. 10.1147/sj.203.0306
     ↗
  3. Gilb T. (1976)
    Studentlitterature
  4. Gilb T (1977)
    Humanized Input
  5. Huckle B. (1981)
    Guidelines for Better Interfaces: General Principles
Show all 11 →
  1. Melanson F. (1981)
    Guide 50
  2. Shneiderman B. (1980)
    Human Factors in Computer and Information Systems
  3. Toms R. K., Graphics to Illustrate Software, European Computing Congress, p. 489, May, 1974.
  4. 10.1016/0378-7206(82)90021-0
     ↗
  5. Toms R. K. (1982)
    Human Factors and Technical Communication in Application Program Development
  6. Wagner (1980)
    Quality Control Methods for IBM Computer Manuals
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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