user manual for electrical design software minimizes support calls
Writing the instruction manual for BOWTECH piqued my enthusiasm for technical writing. When the opportunity arose to write a user manual for Centerline's own software package, I jumped at the chance.
The software was called CACTUS (Conduit and Cable Tray Utility System). I took on the roles of tester and writer. I put the program through its paces, testing all of its capabilities. Errors and inconsistencies were reported to the program's developer who then corrected them.
I wrote the 150-page manual in WordPerfect. I also wrote my first online help system. At the time, Microsoft offered a free help authoring tool called WHAT 6 (Windows Help Authoring Tool, version 6). It worked in conjunction with RTF files. Basically, the help topics were created as "linked" RTF files then compiled into a single .HLP file for use on a Windows-based computer.
I also wrote a product brochure for CACTUS using WordPerfect. My first effort at a user manual must have been good, because we received very few calls from users.