Also question is, what is the difference between a manual and a guide?
A manual will describe all the features of a product in a certain manner and will tell you the technical terms of how to use those features and how to maintain the product. A guide will tell you about the product in short and only how to use it, not how to repair it.
One may also ask, what does a manual contain? The manual is either a book or folder of printed documents containing the standard operating procedures, a description of the organisational hierarchy, contact details for key personnel and emergency procedures.
Regarding this, how do you write a user guide?
Here are some guidelines to help make instructions easy on the user.
- Provide step-by-step sequences in the correct order.
- Follow the timing and sequencing of the actual operations .
- Provide visual stepping stones (e.g. Step 1, Step 2 etc.)
- Avoid lengthy paragraphs.
- Use everyday words and terms: avoid jargon.
What is the purpose of a user manual?
The User Manual contains all essential information for the user to make full use of the information system. This manual includes a description of the system functions and capabilities, contingencies and alternate modes of operation, and step-by-step procedures for system access and use.