From: parkyn@fraser.sfu.ca (Dale Parkyn)
Subject: Re: WordPerfect for the Mac: Is this a soon-to-be-dead product?
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1993 13:50:07 GMT

dks@gallant.apple.com (dk smith) writes:
>the number of available supplemental books for WordPerfect for Mac are
>few and far-between - e.g. a trip to a well-stocked bookstore (near a
>University full of Macintoshes) revealed a ratio of WordPerfect for
>Windows books to WP for Mac books of 65:1. (!!!) No shit; I couldn't 
>believe it either. So... is this a dead product? << WordPerfect employees

">Windows books to WP for Mac books of 65:1."? 
(*My view is my own*) I can understand that the client (Mom) has a desire to
use what you was already using, and also commend the investigation of other
word processor applications. Have you been carefully analyzing what the needs
are? And likely to become in the future? 

If the new Mac user has some WP skill already ignore the availability of books
on a store shelf. Books that are non-manuals often inflate the number of pages
with extra words to explain what the manuals do concisely. Perhaps photocopy a
few important charts from the manuals for the items that are less often used?

If Mom is not very knowledgable yet, or knows an older version of WP for Mac,
then maybe there is a beginner's guide type book; thinner is better. I suspect
that WordPerfect corp. has a fine set of manuals.

Dead product? Do not cars-out-of-production still have value if they do what you
want? I suspect that a 'Mom' would appreciate sticking with a piece of software
so it becomes thoroughly familiar, efficient, and integrated. Integration -
use of two or more applications to accomplish the goal, something the Mac does 
well. A graphics app is most likely the other app learned.

Does your client anticipate eagerly the arrival of the newest music technology?
Or any other technology 'improvement'? Help pick out the WP app that will do
the job, select secondary apps to assist, provide excellent explainations and
patient training. And the BEST ADVICE I CAN OFFER:

When something is expalained/demonstrated write it up. Provide references to the
user manual(s) for the detailed explanation(s). Provide a clear summary of
steps - use your computer skills to make a set of custom notes.
Keep one explanation per page, staple together if it takes more pages - then
it can be moved to the back of the book.

Yes, a book. Three ringer will suffice - "______'s Book of Golden Nuggets" on
the cover the reinforce the value of the contents.

You think this is silly? The best reason for doing this is that it may save
you aggravation from repeated explanations. Make the manuals useful by 
referencing the useful parts; write those explanations so they can be
found, read, and learned when necessary.

Do keep the introduction of new information limited, one new task at a time.
Do make it easy to locate information, handwritten page references stuck on
a wall help.
Do introduce a topic when the client appears to have a real need for it.

DO know the software well - can you visual the dialogs while talking on the
phone - from your vacation site? Just kidding... you hope.

Dale
parkyn@sfu.ca