FreeBSD thumbnails and graphics

Submitted by bpo on Fri, 03/06/2009 - 19:41

Graphics and Thumbnails instructor feedback: bpo

Nathaniel's picture
Submitted by Nathaniel on Sun, 03/08/2009 - 18:46.

I have a few comments and suggestions:

  • Your graphics seem to be well selected. Consider, as well, making sure that your graphics are consistent in terms of size: this will make the layout of your pages more consistency.
  • It appears that the dimensions of your sample graphics don't exactly confirm with image placeholder in your thumbnail. Be sure to anticipate how your images will factor in the page layout.
  • I appreciate your early attempt to distinguish your designs. You want to give each set of users a distinct way of using the instructions. Do remember, however, the novice set needs to be more than a scaled-down version of the expert set.
  • Are you comfortable with the 8.5 x 11 page size? Do you think that is appropriate for both sets of users? (This is a genuine question.) Right now, there is a lot of blank white space. Is it safe to assume that space will be excised for the actual, physical instruction set? If so, you can excise this text in Adobe.
  • Remember to continue to focus on creating sets that differ in kind rather than degree.

Differences in Functionality

Matt's picture
Submitted by Matt on Sun, 03/08/2009 - 21:19.

BSD can be a challenge to install for relatively new users. It has many confusing acronyms and terminology that’s could easily intimidate the novice user. I’m trying to think of a way the functionality of these documents could differ to better serve each audience. I had trouble with this too in my documents, so don’t worry you’re not the only one. The approach I’m going to take is thinking of what it was like the first time I actually performed the tasks my instructions are about and think about how I approach this task now that I would consider myself somewhat of an expert. So I would think of the first time you installed BSD and think of what was really helpful to you and what wasn’t. Provide the novice user with the functionality that would be the most helpful for them. Now the expert is usually in this case going to be more concerned with getting the commands they want right in front of them. I like how you included the command line text section in your expert document. I think you’re on the right track, just take a bit to think about the functionality differences you have to serve here.