On Thu, 19 Feb 2009, John Carter wrote:
On Wed, 18 Feb 2009, Stephen Irons wrote:
[1] Does anyone else read instruction manuals cover to cover? For pleasure?
For devices you don't own, but are thinking of buying? For devices you
aren't even thinking of buying?
Of course the flip side is I _strongly_ believe we should..
* write our software so simply and clearly that nobody needs to read
the manual!
* write our manuals so that they are a pleasure to read, so they read
them anyway.
* where possible use webish interfaces so the software and (portions
of the) manual is the same thing. (You should _never_ have to
lookup up in the manual what a widget does, the context sensitive
help should tell you all and more.)
* write our code so no one needs to read the comments.
* write our comments in a manner that makes our spirit and intention
clear.
* keep our spirits and intentions so simple and direct that our work
may be reused for purposes we never dreamed of.
...leastways that's where I'm aiming.
John Carter Phone : (64)(3) 358 6639
Tait Electronics Fax : (64)(3) 359 4632
PO Box 1645 Christchurch Email : john.car...@tait.co.nz
New Zealand
