Documentation : Help

A help system explains how to use a software package on the screen. Providing help information on the screen has several advantages over a printed guide :

• It is cheaper to provide help on the CD-ROM with the software than to print a separate user guide.
• Because a lot of data can be stored on a CD-ROM, a help system can include much more comprehensive instructions than a printed guide is likely to.
• Sound, animation and videos can be used to make instructions clearer.
• The on-screen help is always available when you are using the software. You do not need to go and get it.
• A search facility can be incorporated so that if you want to find out how to carry out a particular task you do not need to manually look through the guide to find relevant information.
• On-screen help can be context sensitive. This means that when you select the help function the system will display help that is relevant to the task that you are currently completing.
• The help system can be linked to the Internet so that any errors can be corrected and additional information can be added to it automatically.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004