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.
A technical writer can take the technical world of programmers and designers and translate that into something the average person can understand. They can explain the usage of the application so that a novice user can navigate menus and interfaces required to do their job. Many programmers are unable to achieve this as they write from the viewpoint of a techie rather than the end user.
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.
Good technical writers usually explore the application from the standpoint of a user who needs to do a job and then writes easily understood instructions for the user to follow. The often adhere to certain standards for format and content which takes the user from startup to problem solving via the core functions. They will write in a style and tone which is specified by the company so the manual reflects their overall image.
The final audience for the book must be taken into consideration at all times. A very different style needs to be employed for technical readers who may need to use the manual to provide support than for non-techies who are perhaps just using the app for their job. The author has to keep the tone right for the target reader.
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.
A technical writer can take the technical world of programmers and designers and translate that into something the average person can understand. They can explain the usage of the application so that a novice user can navigate menus and interfaces required to do their job. Many programmers are unable to achieve this as they write from the viewpoint of a techie rather than the end user.
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.
Good technical writers usually explore the application from the standpoint of a user who needs to do a job and then writes easily understood instructions for the user to follow. The often adhere to certain standards for format and content which takes the user from startup to problem solving via the core functions. They will write in a style and tone which is specified by the company so the manual reflects their overall image.
The final audience for the book must be taken into consideration at all times. A very different style needs to be employed for technical readers who may need to use the manual to provide support than for non-techies who are perhaps just using the app for their job. The author has to keep the tone right for the target reader.
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.
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