Writing User Documentation for ACF: Difference between revisions

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*Write names and labels ''as they appear in ACF'', such as "DNScache" instead of dnscache.
*Write names and labels ''as they appear in ACF'', such as "DNScache" instead of dnscache.
*Avoid using extra nouns such as "menu option," "tab," "section," etc. for simplicity. The formatting below should be sufficient.
*Avoid using extra nouns such as "menu option," "tab," "section," etc. for simplicity. The formatting below should be sufficient.
* Specify the entire navigation, so that the user can follow the instructions no matter where he starts.


== Formatting ==
== Formatting ==
Line 11: Line 12:
Here is an example of the suggested formatting:
Here is an example of the suggested formatting:


''System: '''Local Backups''' > '''Status''' > Commit Changes: '''Commit'''


''System: '''Local Backups''' > '''Config''' > System Info: Media for Commit''
Below is the formatting for common items in user documentation. All navigation strings should be in ''italics'' (or in plaintext, use forward slashes <code>/NAVIGATION > EXAMPLE/</code>).


When describing an page or procedure in ACF, user documentation may refer to items such as:  
*Menu Choices, Tabs, Buttons, Links
*menu choices
**Any text the user needs to click on should be in '''''bold (italic) typeface''''' (or in plaintext, use asterisks <code>*BUTTONNAME*</code>). The text should then be followed by a greater-than symbol ">".
*tabs
**Links may be preceded by a label and a colon ":".
*section headings
*Section Headings
*buttons
**Headings should be followed by a colon ":".
*links
*Check Boxes
*check boxes
**Check boxes should be followed by ''[X]'' for selected, and ''[_]'' for unselected.
*fields
*Fields
**Field names have no special formatting.
*Drop-down Boxes
**Use a greater-than symbol ">" between the label of the box and the option to choose.
 
=== Examples ===
''System: '''Local Backups'''
''System: '''Local Backups''' > '''Status''' > Commit Changes: Simulate a commit [X]
''System: '''Local Backups''' > '''Status''' > Commit Changes: Simulate a commit [_]
''System: '''Local Backups''' > '''Config''' > System Info: Media for Commit > usb''
''System: '''Local Backups''' > '''Config''' > Edit Included Files: Included item(s)
''System: '''Logfiles''' > '''Status''' > /var/log/messages: '''Tail'''

Revision as of 20:53, 29 May 2009

Guidelines on Writing User Documentation for ACF

Many users of Alpine Linux devices may use only the ACF Web interface.

Basic suggestions

  • Write names and labels as they appear in ACF, such as "DNScache" instead of dnscache.
  • Avoid using extra nouns such as "menu option," "tab," "section," etc. for simplicity. The formatting below should be sufficient.
  • Specify the entire navigation, so that the user can follow the instructions no matter where he starts.

Formatting

Here is an example of the suggested formatting:

System: Local Backups > Status > Commit Changes: Commit

Below is the formatting for common items in user documentation. All navigation strings should be in italics (or in plaintext, use forward slashes /NAVIGATION > EXAMPLE/).

  • Menu Choices, Tabs, Buttons, Links
    • Any text the user needs to click on should be in bold (italic) typeface (or in plaintext, use asterisks *BUTTONNAME*). The text should then be followed by a greater-than symbol ">".
    • Links may be preceded by a label and a colon ":".
  • Section Headings
    • Headings should be followed by a colon ":".
  • Check Boxes
    • Check boxes should be followed by [X] for selected, and [_] for unselected.
  • Fields
    • Field names have no special formatting.
  • Drop-down Boxes
    • Use a greater-than symbol ">" between the label of the box and the option to choose.

Examples

System: Local Backups
System: Local Backups > Status > Commit Changes: Simulate a commit [X]
System: Local Backups > Status > Commit Changes: Simulate a commit [_]
System: Local Backups > Config > System Info: Media for Commit > usb
System: Local Backups > Config > Edit Included Files: Included item(s)
System: Logfiles > Status > /var/log/messages: Tail