Worthwhile critique from Mathew Thomas

[Matthew Thomas]

Mary Gardiner wrote:
> 
> On Thu, Apr 14, 2005, Sean Wheller wrote:
>> 
>>Mathew:          * ???Desktop???. This makes the unwarranted assumption that 
>>people will consider the items in Gnome???s panels, for example, to be part of 
>>the ???desktop???, rather than being above or below the desktop.
> 
> I think this is fair comment, but I don't know an alternative term.
> "Workspace?" "Interface?" Ick.

Instead of assuming people will know what part of the system to go into 
to achieve what they want to, I suggest concentrating on tasks they want 
to perform. So, "Changing the volume", "Viewing your calendar", "What to 
do if all your windows disappear", "Deleting files", and so on.

>>          * ???Applications???. This makes the unwarranted assumption that people 
>>visiting the top-level help page ??? that is, people seeking help without 
>>having started any particular program ??? will nevertheless know what 
>>???application??? they need to use for the thing they want to do.
> 
> True, but again, I don't know a better term. "Tasks"?

Same here. Don't categorize by executable type, categorize by task. So, 
"Working with documents", "Finding things on the Internet", "Playing 
music", "Troubleshooting and maintenance".

I started an outline of what I'm talking about on the wiki.
<https://www.ubuntulinux.org/wiki/LocalHelpOutline>

>...
>>          * ???Man Pages???. Teeheeheehee.
> 
> Should at least be "manual pages".

Or "Reference manuals" -- to be found under "Advanced topics", along 
with "Setting up a file server", "Setting up a print server", and so on.

>...
> The "one printable page" challenge might be well enough done with
> pictures.

Yes, I imagine it will use quite a few pictures.

-- 
Matthew Thomas
http://mpt.net.nz/