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One of the major reasons why people find personal computers to be helpful are
the applications they use. As applications have evolved from simple command
line utilities to highly graphical multi-windowed programs, users' have
benefited from the many useful features they provide. As the features of
applications increased the need for on-line help became extremely important.
We now see very good standards in this area such as "Help" menu item in the
tool bar of most all applications. Given the graphical capabilities built in
to our PC's programs we have also seen a mjor increase in the number of
"icons" used by applications, these little icons are everywhere and are a
great way for a user to find a feature without a lot of words or application
menu space. It is also true that if you don't know what an icon is or where
to find it one can get frustrated very quickly.
I would like to suggest that it is time to make yet another standard and put
an architecture in place to foster its use. The suggestion is that there be a
standard put in place for the documentation and presentation for of all icons
used by an application. If all programs had an entry in Help, called Icons. I
beleive that the productivity of users would improve and many of the less
used features of an application would be exposed.
If we added a new help item right next to "Help/Contents and Index" called
"Icons". Under Icons, a user would find a matrix of all icons used by a
program, the location that the icons are found, a short description and a
link to the help entry for the feature.
Given the extensive use of icons by applications I think this would be a
great way to inprove on the useability of applications.
----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...6738973857f6&dg=microsoft.public.officeupdate
the applications they use. As applications have evolved from simple command
line utilities to highly graphical multi-windowed programs, users' have
benefited from the many useful features they provide. As the features of
applications increased the need for on-line help became extremely important.
We now see very good standards in this area such as "Help" menu item in the
tool bar of most all applications. Given the graphical capabilities built in
to our PC's programs we have also seen a mjor increase in the number of
"icons" used by applications, these little icons are everywhere and are a
great way for a user to find a feature without a lot of words or application
menu space. It is also true that if you don't know what an icon is or where
to find it one can get frustrated very quickly.
I would like to suggest that it is time to make yet another standard and put
an architecture in place to foster its use. The suggestion is that there be a
standard put in place for the documentation and presentation for of all icons
used by an application. If all programs had an entry in Help, called Icons. I
beleive that the productivity of users would improve and many of the less
used features of an application would be exposed.
If we added a new help item right next to "Help/Contents and Index" called
"Icons". Under Icons, a user would find a matrix of all icons used by a
program, the location that the icons are found, a short description and a
link to the help entry for the feature.
Given the extensive use of icons by applications I think this would be a
great way to inprove on the useability of applications.
----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...6738973857f6&dg=microsoft.public.officeupdate