A Brief Overview of Online Help

By Jennifer L. BowieFor Electronic Writing & Publishing

What is online help?

• Software with the “primary purpose to provide information and assist the user in completing some task in another piece of computer software” (Pratt, 33)

• Evolved from the often huge print manuals that used to come with software

• Often of two main types:– Goal-based/task-orientated: help users achieve

a certain goal or tasks – Problem-solver: help users to solve problems

with the interface/software

What is the online help family?

• Grandparents: user manuals• Parents: online documentation

(the user manual put on screen)• Siblings:

– Online help– Wizards: intrinsic help, helps users

perform a particular task– Embedded help: help within the

interface, does not require user to leave the task

Examples: Online Help

Examples: Wizards

Examples: Embedded Help

Questions?

• Sources: – “Where is the Instruction…”

Pratt– “Embedded Help…” Ray &

Ray – “10 Design Principles…”

Lancaster– “Wizards” Allen