One of the things that tick me off is when someone creates a web app and does not give complete and clear instructions in their so-called help file.

I downloaded several Flash web apps last week and tried to understand the help files that went with them. They were minimal at best. I am familiar with Flash but I am in no way an expert. If I were, I would have created the apps myself.

My frustration level is high enough when I try to make an app work and it refuses. The level gets higher when I keep going back to the so called help file and finding nothing there. It goes through the roof when I write the person who created the app and they tell me that I should just read their help file and that will solve everything.

Those of us who are writers have come to understand this. Your reader cannot read your mind. What may be clear and obvious to you is not to your reader. Something you take for granted may be a mystery to the person trying to follow your instructions. This is especially true for scripting languages which are very complicated and must be followed to the letter.

I have noticed on many occasions when I read someone’s instructions and even watched their videos that they often skip a step or two. This is why it is important to have a friend or colleague read your instructions and try to follow them. Have a few people do this for you. Only then should you publish your instructions.

If people write you with questions don’t lose patience with them. Even if the answer seems obvious to you it is in your best interests to help them use your product. It will help build your business if people feel they can ask you questions. They will buy more from you in the future and tell others about you.

So. I have taken a few minutes out of my day to write this. Now I have to get back to trying to make these darn things work.