Comments on: Offline Product Help Files and Manuals Are Useless

By: DtD Software

DtD Software — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:04:47 +0000

Yeah, I agree. It is almost always true. One exception I can think of off the top of my head is Game Maker, its offline help docs were awesome. Ahh, good ol’ Game Maker.

I don’t know if you’ve ever used an AutoDesk product (Especially AutoCAD or 3DSMax) but thier documentation is TERRIBLE. I don’t even think to check it anymore.

~DtD

By: Katherine

Katherine — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:13:34 +0000

I tend to use the index rather than the search, as like you said the search is invariably useless. If the manual is detailed enough, I always find the index/contents leads me to it.

By: Esrix

Esrix — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:08:48 +0000

Hmm… I suppose it depends on how in depth the help files go. I find them really useful when they give examples of how to use or do something. I have to use Adobe Actionscript 3.0 Language and Components help files all the time at work. Sometimes, they provide code examples for nearly every function for a particular class. Sometimes, they only provide code examples collectively at the end of the help page for the particular class. And sometimes, they don’t provide code examples at all and it’s a bit frustrating. That’s when I try Google and see how other people solved the problem.

By: Juuso Hietalahti

Juuso Hietalahti — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:07:53 +0000

I agree that often it can be about the search engine itself.

It’s worth noting though that sometimes people have solved the certain problem and are discussing about in totally different forums (and giving non-documented workarounds).

By: John Soklaski

John Soklaski — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:03:22 +0000

To me, it seems like the main problem isn’t whether the manual is on the internet or not, but the method which you use to access the information. In this case, the google search engine turned up much better results than the standard windows help search.

I suppose there’s not too much to be done about standard windows help search, but perhaps a better search method could be implemented for an offline manual. Although, I bet the solution would have to be pretty creative to be integrated effectively as an offline help replacement. ;)