I create documentation for software. Our software is complicated-- a new user has a fairly steep learning curve to overcome, and my documentation helps with that. In addition, my docs provide information to the intermediate and advanced users in setting up the programs that run on our software.
All of the documentation is also converted to online help, so the manual is available at your fingertips at all times. There is no one else in the company who knows how to do that, though there are a few others who could learn.
That said, a very large portion of my user base does not read English and uses post-its to tell them which on-screen button does what. And nobody reads the manual or the online help, but that's not really at issue, is it? Nobody reads it, but you still need to have them. |
