I wrote a manual with cartoons in it, does that count? :) The previous version of the manual was so poorly written that no one would touch it. When I wrote the new one, I wanted to make sure our service techs and customers knew it was a different manual. Each chapter has a cartoon on the first page.
One shows a guy putting away his tools as two other guys walk up. "You're too late, guys. I got it all set up by myself, and I didn't even hafta use the manual!" he boasts, while the other two stand astonished watching leaking cartons exiting the machine. One shows a guy standing in front of the control panel of the machine, looking at some hieroglyphic-looking icons. "What do these mean? Who draws them, Martians???" he asks. (My first draft said, "It's all Greek to me!" but we were selling a machine to a company in Greece, so we had to change it. I think I'll be safe from such an offense with Martians.) I found it interesting, the cartoonist did some research and put actual hieroglyphics in the cartoon that meant, roughly, "Give ye cakes and beer." Humor buried in humor... gotta love it. Oh, and for the record, we've had this manual translated into multiple languages. Each time, I tell the translator that if the cartoon is offensive, to take it out. Each time, they've said they love it, and it's stayed in the manual, translated. Now, it would be interesting to see how they did that. If anyone knows Korean, Chinese, Greek, Spanish, or French and wants to see how it was translated, let me know! Lisa G. Quoting "Brierley, Sean" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > LOL! It could be worse, you never heard me sing. > > Actually, my point was (a legitimate on-topic one) that I need to see > examples from those who believe humour can be worked into technical > communications. (Beyond the Google one, that is.) > > Cos, without examples, I'm with Bill. > > Cheers, > > Sean > > -----Original Message----- > From: Chris Vickery [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:25 PM > To: Brierley, Sean; tcp@techcommpros.com > Subject: RE: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm > > Is "don't quit your day job" too American? > > I kid > > Chris > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > On Behalf Of Brierley, Sean > Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:53 PM > To: tcp@techcommpros.com > Subject: Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm > > Well, that sounds typically American to me. > > What your humour has to be is less Three Stooges, less Benny Hill, less > Mr. Bean, less laugh track, and more ... subtle, more inside, more high > brow. > > For example, not the following: > > 1) Click File > Compact. This feature doesn't work because we employed a > cut-rate programmer who could only program in B-, not C+ > </baddaboom!><laugh track /> > > Instead, write: > > 1) To use the File, Compact menu, click File, <unremarkable clickable > popup to developer's mobile number and perhaps a compromising > photo>Compact</unremarkable clickable popup> Compact. When prompted by > the blue screen, turn off your computer's power, wait 60 seconds, then > turn it back on. <no laugh track or baddaboom! /> > > > DISCLAIMER: > Important Notice ************************************************* > This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged > or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended > recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any > means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender > that you have received it in error. 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Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. > > > DOCUMENTATION & TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE > > April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour > 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com > _______________________________________________ > > Technical Communication Professionals > > Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: > http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com > Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com > ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION & TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
