The User Manual Manual: How to Research, Write, Test, Edit and Produce a Software Manual (Untechnical Press Books for Writers Series.)

The User Manual Manual is a master's course on software manuals. It describes the grammar, style, techniques and tricks needed to write a manual the gets read. It explains how to understand and target readers, technicaly inclined or not--even if they're kids. Plus, it covers special topics including: dealing with rush projects, preparing for internationalization, and handling projects with multiple writers, multiple platforms and multiple bosses. The User Manual Manual is a guided tour through the entire process of creating a user manual from initial concept through writing, testing, editing and production to postmortem. It contains sample documents, worksheets and checklists to help writers work smarter and faster.

For nearly 10 years as writer, editor, writing manager and Director of Creative Services at Maxis software (the SimCity(R) company), Michael Bremer developed proven techniques to write and produce readable, understandable, and even enjoyable technical writing. He is now an independent author and consultant, specializing in communicating complex technical subjects to a non-technical (consumer) audience.