Talk:Software documentation

User Docs Old Hat

User documentation for software, especially complex software, is a thing of the past. Big, money-making software publishers believe GUIs have eliminated the need for good user documentation, because the point-and-click paradigm is so simple, so self-explanatory, a child could use it. Of course, this is a rationalization that, in a way, justifies not spending a dime on explaining how their highly profitable products may be used, since people can "discover" what they need to know by fooling around. Alternatively, context-sensitive help may be perceived as a substitute for use case by usage scenario coverage of every feature. The people in the best position to publish effective user documentation (because they understand the motivations and the details) don't do it. So technical publishers hire technical writers who take a stab at the task and fail as often as they succeed to fill the gap. Such a shame!--72.75.76.186 02:49, 20 December 2006 (UTC)