In a printed manual, cross-references contain page numbers. If readers follow a cross-reference, they must leaf through the document. If readers want to be able to return to a page, they must leave a finger on that page, or they must use a piece of paper as a bookmark.
In online help, readers just have to click links. With the help of the back button, it’s easy to return to any previous topic.
So, following a link in online help is much easier and faster than following a cross-reference in a printed manual.
Advantages of cross-references and links are:
▪they provide context ▪they make it easy to find related information ▪they make it possible to keep topics short; optional or related information can be given in another, linked topic Disadvantages of cross-references and links are:
▪Cross-references attract attention and interrupt the flow of reading. ▪Each cross-reference requires a decision from the reader: Read on or follow the link? ▪If readers don’t follow a link, they feel that they might have missed some important information—and often they have. ▪If readers do follow a link, they often do so without having read the complete topic. If they don’t return, they miss some information, too. |