[alt.hypertext] Hypertext help systems - are they effective?

hadgraft@vaxc.cc.monash.edu.au (Hadgraft) (06/21/91)

I am investigating the effectiveness of delivering technical information using
hypertext. Since much on-line help information is now structured using
hypertext, I would like your reactions to using these help systems. I am
particularly interested in MS Windows 3's built-in hypertext help, but if you
have experience with other help systems, please discuss those as
well/instead.

Just do a REPLY in your News reader, and fill in your responses. I will
summarise the responses back to these newsgroups.

1.  Which hypertext help system ?

    (default is Windows 3)

2.  How often do you use it ?

    a.  daily
    b.  weekly
    c.  monthly
    d.  rarely

3.  If you use it frequently (daily or weekly), why is it attractive ?

4.  If you use it infrequently, why ?
        (There is space below to complain about specific problems).

5.  What features are useful to you ?

    a.  hierarchical structuring
    b.  linking between topics
    c.  index
    d.  popup notes/definitions
    e.  search for keywords
    f.  backtracking
        g.  browse facility
    h.  other ? ... please specify

6.  What does the HELP ENGINE/PROGRAM need to make it really useful ?
        (eg. it doesn't do searches through the help files, only lists defined keywords)

7.  What deficiencies exist in individual Help files that you've used?
    (eg. not enough "See also" references)

8.  Do you still reach for a paper manual instead of using on-line help ?
    If so, why ?

9.      How do you rank your computing expertise?

        a.      beginner (getting started with one package)
        b.      use one or two packages with help
        c.      use several packages confidently
        d.      expert (lost count of number of packages used)

10.     How often do you use your computer?

    a.  daily
    b.  weekly
    c.  monthly
    d.  rarely

Thanks for your help. I will feed a summary to the net.
--
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  |  Roger Hadgraft                 +----------------------------------+
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