Comments on: Looking for Help in Unusual Places http://stc-montreal.org/en/2008/12/17/looking-for-help-in-unusual-places/ The source for technical communicators in Montreal Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:55:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jim Royal http://stc-montreal.org/en/2008/12/17/looking-for-help-in-unusual-places/comment-page-1/#comment-365 Jim Royal Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:54:15 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=260#comment-365 <i>It’s the companies that need to see that these possibilities exist, and then give us the chance…</i> Few companies will make that connection, David. Rather, it is up to the individual writer — the person who knows the subject matter intimately — to stand up and make the pitch to upper management themselves. Only the writer can point out with confidence that such a feature can actually increase sales or reduce costs or both. It is not management but you who is in the best position to grab the reigns and drive such innovations. It’s the companies that need to see that these possibilities exist, and then give us the chance…

Few companies will make that connection, David. Rather, it is up to the individual writer — the person who knows the subject matter intimately — to stand up and make the pitch to upper management themselves. Only the writer can point out with confidence that such a feature can actually increase sales or reduce costs or both. It is not management but you who is in the best position to grab the reigns and drive such innovations.

]]> By: David Farbey http://stc-montreal.org/en/2008/12/17/looking-for-help-in-unusual-places/comment-page-1/#comment-362 David Farbey Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:27:57 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=260#comment-362 Thanks for highlighting this example of embedded help - it shows that user assistance really can go anywhere it's needed. Most tech writers I know would be thrilled to help their employers or their clients move beyond printed manuals or online help systems. It's the companies that need to see that these possibilities exist, and then give us the chance to work with the engineers and interface designers to deliver the embedded help that can benefit users. Thanks for highlighting this example of embedded help – it shows that user assistance really can go anywhere it’s needed. Most tech writers I know would be thrilled to help their employers or their clients move beyond printed manuals or online help systems. It’s the companies that need to see that these possibilities exist, and then give us the chance to work with the engineers and interface designers to deliver the embedded help that can benefit users.

]]> By: Jim Royal http://stc-montreal.org/en/2008/12/17/looking-for-help-in-unusual-places/comment-page-1/#comment-358 Jim Royal Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:47:55 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=260#comment-358 True, the Nikon D40/60/70/80 series has this feature, too. Didn't know that at the time. However, on the Nikon, it is not a dedicated button, but doubled-up function on another button. http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/nikonD60/Images/back.jpg True, the Nikon D40/60/70/80 series has this feature, too. Didn’t know that at the time. However, on the Nikon, it is not a dedicated button, but doubled-up function on another button.

http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/nikonD60/Images/back.jpg

]]> By: Andy Gural http://stc-montreal.org/en/2008/12/17/looking-for-help-in-unusual-places/comment-page-1/#comment-357 Andy Gural Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:33:27 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=260#comment-357 Ahem. Nikon does this too, ya know! Ahem. Nikon does this too, ya know!

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