Tony Smith wrote:
> For those who like to learn from example (probably most people on this
> list)

Probably not.  Examples are really bad ways to learn.  They show you a
single instance and you can only guess at the general rules.  Examples are
useful only to clarify the usage of the general rules after they have been
explained.  Information without context isn't much information at all.

Unfortunately all too much documentation is geared towards examples already.
This is one of the frustrations I have with Excel in particular.  The help
only tells you how to solve particular problems, which rarely match exactly
my problems.  I'd rather read a 50 page overview of Excel that explains
*how* it works.  Then I can figure out how to make it do the particular
thing I want myself, perhaps with specific examples from the online help.

I first learned Word a long time ago when writing a book.  Back then the
help was a whole manual.  It was a bit tedius to navigate thru it like a
book using the help interface, but at least it was possible.  I've noticed
newer versions are geared towards idiots who apparently (at least so
Microsoft thinks) prefer to have that annoying paper clip wink at them than
actually (insert horrified gasp) *learn* something.


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