your thoughts on screenshots?

[Paul W. Frields]

On Tue, 2007-03-20 at 18:11 -0400, Jason Taylor wrote:
> So the thinking being then, use text whenever possible, if you ge an
> itch to use a picture, try and use a diagram, if you don't want to or
> for whatever reason can't use a diagram then use a screenshot with
> associated text, with the last 2 options being used as sparingly as
> possible.

It's worth pointing out that the Documentation Guide basically says this
already -- use text wherever possible.  Screenshots are only appropriate
where text can't be used to describe something properly.

The instruction "Select OK" does not require a screenshot.

The instruction "Enter the root password at the dialog" does not require
a screenshot.

The instruction "Choose desired <dingbats> from the list" does not
require a screenshot.

A screenshot *may* (repeat, *may*) be appropriate for showing the
appearance of a complex user interface.  Otherwise it becomes burdensome
to the reader to read guidance like "From the top left pane, select one
of the options.  From the bottom left pane...."

-- 
Paul W. Frields, RHCE                          http://paul.frields.org/
  gpg fingerprint: 3DA6 A0AC 6D58 FEC4 0233  5906 ACDB C937 BD11 3717
      Fedora Project:  http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/PaulWFrields
  irc.freenode.net: stickster @ #fedora-docs, #fedora-devel, #fredlug
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: signature.asc
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 189 bytes
Desc: This is a digitally signed message part
URL: <http://listman.redhat.com/archives/fedora-docs-list/attachments/20070321/ee9af900/attachment.sig>