Writing Better Computer User Documentation: From Paper to Hypertext, Version 2.0 [Paperback]

R. John Brockmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 9, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0471622605 | ISBN-13: 978-0471622604 | Edition: 2

Designed to help processing professionals and technical writers write clear, accurate computer user documentation. Presents a systematic approach to writing paper and online documentation. Version 2 retains much essential material from the first edition, while offering new information on desktop publishing, CASE tools and the ``software factory'' programming technologies. Also covers new techniques such as team writing, hypertext, mass storage and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Designed to help processing professionals and technical writers write clear, accurate computer user documentation. Presents a systematic approach to writing paper and online documentation. Version 2 retains much essential material from the first edition, while offering new information on desktop publishing, CASE tools and the ``software factory'' programming technologies. Also covers new techniques such as team writing, hypertext, mass storage and more. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (July 9, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471622605
• ISBN-13: 978-0471622604
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,694,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent content, atrocious presentation, getting dated, March 9, 2000

By 

Stavros Macrakis (Cambridge, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Better Computer User Documentation: From Paper to Hypertext, Version 2.0 (Paperback)

The excellent content of this book is hidden behind a particularly atrocious design, and it is getting dated.

Brockmann's advice is solid, often based on empirical research (very well referenced), and systematic; yet the poor design -- bad fonts, bad paper, bad layout, bad diagrams -- undermine the quality of the content. Even in 1990, a specialist in documentation should have known better.

Some areas are now seriously out of date: Online help is completely obsolete; Web-based techniques are non-existent; tools are old; screen-shots are quaint. Still, most of it is as valid as ever.

The high-quality text cries out for a thorough updating and redesign leading to a new edition, as most of its content is not only still true, but very valuable. Until then, despite its very real qualities, I can only recommend it with strong reservations.

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Stuff but still worth looking at!, July 27, 2006

By 

An American (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing Better Computer User Documentation: From Paper to Hypertext, Version 2.0 (Hardcover)

I do agree with many of the reviewers who are upset with the lack of visual appeal that the text has or even that the text is dated and that many new techniques and technologies have come about since it was revised about 15 years ago (which in modern tech terms is like the stone age). Given all that, it is a book that once you begin to read what is actually being presented you begin to realize how on the money this book is when it comes to discussing computer users documentation. In fact, I found the book to be helpful in the development of other user types of information like how to set up writing for procedures and task instructions. The basic underlying principles of organization and document development are very sound and useful. So if you can overcome the initial shock of seeing an unusal page topography, actually it kind of makes sense once you start reading it,this book is a steal at the low used prices. I highly recommend it and now that I have my copy I wouldn't give it away at any higher price.

4.0 out of 5 stars If you want flashy layout, read Wired..., March 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing Better Computer User Documentation: From Paper to Hypertext, Version 2.0 (Paperback)

...but if you want a good introduction to solid principles of computer documentation, this is a good place to start. Wiley's collection of books for technical writers certainly contains some more detailed volumes, but Brockmann's book is a good starting point for less-experienced documentation authors.