In today's world we are surrounded by computers which run everything from manufacturing processes to tracking shares on the Stock Market. Each of these applications is likely to be complex enough that the user will need a book to tell them how the software works and what it can do. Writing software documentation might be done by the person who wrote the program, but large applications may require a technical author to produce the final manual.
A technical writer can take the technical world of programmers and designers and translate that into something the average person can understand. They can explain the usage of the application so that a novice user can navigate menus and interfaces required to do their job. Many programmers are unable to achieve this as they write from the viewpoint of a techie rather than the end user.
There are many everyday programs which are self-explanatory and require little or no documentation. In the world of gaming it is mostly the case that the game itself teaches the user. As the player progresses through various game levels more complex aspects are introduced in the form of tips or tricks. Obviously this would not be a good way to explain running a power generating station.
Good technical writers usually explore the application from the standpoint of a user who needs to do a job and then writes easily understood instructions for the user to follow. The often adhere to certain standards for format and content which takes the user from startup to problem solving via the core functions. They will write in a style and tone which is specified by the company so the manual reflects their overall image.
It is important for the author to know who the audience for the manual will be. A manual containing a lot of jargon and technical terms if of very little use to an end user with little or no computer knowledge. Conversely one which explained too simply would not suit IT specialists who need to know the inner workings of an application.
It is important that any book is laid out in a clear manner, is not over wordy and flows in a logical way. The format and size of a manual are determined by the app itself. A very complex application will obviously require a lot larger document to cover all its functionality than a simple app which might be explained in a page or two.
However large or small the finished article, it must cover all the basic information which a user will need. They must be able to start the app, use all its functions correctly and know where to turn if things go wrong. Inclusion of pictorials showing menus, screen shots or other helpful diagrams is extremely helpful and works well in online and printed documents.
Another method of writing software documentation is to have the programmer, user and writer collaborate. This means the end user can have input, while the programmer knows the information is technically correct. The end result should be a document that everyone can be happy with. A good software manual should be written so that is gives all necessary information about the product while being easy to read and understand.
A technical writer can take the technical world of programmers and designers and translate that into something the average person can understand. They can explain the usage of the application so that a novice user can navigate menus and interfaces required to do their job. Many programmers are unable to achieve this as they write from the viewpoint of a techie rather than the end user.
There are many everyday programs which are self-explanatory and require little or no documentation. In the world of gaming it is mostly the case that the game itself teaches the user. As the player progresses through various game levels more complex aspects are introduced in the form of tips or tricks. Obviously this would not be a good way to explain running a power generating station.
Good technical writers usually explore the application from the standpoint of a user who needs to do a job and then writes easily understood instructions for the user to follow. The often adhere to certain standards for format and content which takes the user from startup to problem solving via the core functions. They will write in a style and tone which is specified by the company so the manual reflects their overall image.
It is important for the author to know who the audience for the manual will be. A manual containing a lot of jargon and technical terms if of very little use to an end user with little or no computer knowledge. Conversely one which explained too simply would not suit IT specialists who need to know the inner workings of an application.
It is important that any book is laid out in a clear manner, is not over wordy and flows in a logical way. The format and size of a manual are determined by the app itself. A very complex application will obviously require a lot larger document to cover all its functionality than a simple app which might be explained in a page or two.
However large or small the finished article, it must cover all the basic information which a user will need. They must be able to start the app, use all its functions correctly and know where to turn if things go wrong. Inclusion of pictorials showing menus, screen shots or other helpful diagrams is extremely helpful and works well in online and printed documents.
Another method of writing software documentation is to have the programmer, user and writer collaborate. This means the end user can have input, while the programmer knows the information is technically correct. The end result should be a document that everyone can be happy with. A good software manual should be written so that is gives all necessary information about the product while being easy to read and understand.
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