A proposal for user centered system documentation

C. O'Malley; P. Smolensky; L. Bannon; E. Conway; J. Graham; J. Sokolov; M. L. Monty

doi:10.1145/800045.801627

A proposal for user centered system documentation

C. O'Malley, P. Smolensky, L. Bannon, E. Conway, J. Graham, J. Sokolov, M. L. Monty

University of California at San Diego

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

This paper outlines a set of proposals for the development of system documentation based on an analysis of user needs. It is suggested that existing documentation is not sensitive enough to the variety of levels of user expertise, nor to the variety of contexts in which on-line help is required. We outline three specific proposals for fulfilling these needs: a quick reference facility, a command-line database, and a facility for full explanation and instruction, and suggest a number of ways in which users might access these facilities. Finally, we suggest a way of combining these facilities into an integrated structured manual, offering more effective user support than is currently provided.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983
Editors	Ann Janda
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery
Pages	282-285
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Electronic)	0897911210
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/800045.801627
Publication status	Published - 12 Dec 1983
Externally published	Yes
Event	1983 SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983 - Boston, United States Duration: 12 Dec 1983 → 15 Dec 1983

Publication series

Name	Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference	1983 SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983
Country/Territory	United States
City	Boston
Period	12/12/83 → 15/12/83

Access to Document

10.1145/800045.801627

Cite this

O'Malley, C., Smolensky, P., Bannon, L., Conway, E., Graham, J., Sokolov, J., & Monty, M. L. (1983). A proposal for user centered system documentation. In A. Janda (Ed.), Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983 (pp. 282-285). (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/800045.801627

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title = "A proposal for user centered system documentation",

abstract = "This paper outlines a set of proposals for the development of system documentation based on an analysis of user needs. It is suggested that existing documentation is not sensitive enough to the variety of levels of user expertise, nor to the variety of contexts in which on-line help is required. We outline three specific proposals for fulfilling these needs: a quick reference facility, a command-line database, and a facility for full explanation and instruction, and suggest a number of ways in which users might access these facilities. Finally, we suggest a way of combining these facilities into an integrated structured manual, offering more effective user support than is currently provided.",

author = "C. O'Malley and P. Smolensky and L. Bannon and E. Conway and J. Graham and J. Sokolov and Monty, {M. L.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 1983 ACM.; 1983 SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983 ; Conference date: 12-12-1983 Through 15-12-1983",

year = "1983",

month = dec,

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doi = "10.1145/800045.801627",

language = "English",

series = "Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings",

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O'Malley, C, Smolensky, P, Bannon, L, Conway, E, Graham, J, Sokolov, J & Monty, ML 1983, A proposal for user centered system documentation. in A Janda (ed.), Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983. Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, Association for Computing Machinery, pp. 282-285, 1983 SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983, Boston, United States, 12/12/83. https://doi.org/10.1145/800045.801627

A proposal for user centered system documentation. / O'Malley, C.; Smolensky, P.; Bannon, L. et al.
Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983. ed. / Ann Janda. Association for Computing Machinery, 1983. p. 282-285 (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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O'Malley C, Smolensky P, Bannon L, Conway E, Graham J, Sokolov J et al. A proposal for user centered system documentation. In Janda A, editor, Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI 1983. Association for Computing Machinery. 1983. p. 282-285. (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings). doi: 10.1145/800045.801627

A proposal for user centered system documentation

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