Performance Support on the Web The Help for the Web Initiative News & Views Software Review

by Jeanette Bottitta &H4Web Communication Committee Jeanette Bottitta is a writer and editor who currently develops online documentation and help for storage/network management products at VERITAS Software Corpora- tion. She has been a member of the Help for the Web initiative since February 1999. Originally published in News & Views March 2000 issue. Copyright 2000 STC-Philadelphia Metro Chapter. For permission to reprint this article, contact the Managing Editor.

Wouldn't it be nice if all web-based applications included online help that was intui- tive, easy to use, and truly helpful? Imagine how innova- tive ideas about user assistance might combine with recent technologies to produce a help format that's universally accepted and used across the web. If such a concept fires your imagination, the "Help for the Web" initiative would like to hear from you. What is the initiative? The Help for the Web initiative is a volunteer effort organized by help pro- fessionals with an interest in using their knowledge and experience for improv- ing the World Wide Web. Volunteers pool their unique expertise and resources to evaluate user assistance systems and available technologies in the hope of formulating standards that are easy to use and acceptable for a broad range of web-based applications. The group hopes to promote help standards by working with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), a global consortium of member organizations that studies, develops, and adopts web- based standards. Among the standards under consideration is the development of a Help Markup Language (HelpML), an XML Document Type Definition (DTD) that specifically addresses user assistance requirements. Other recom- mended models will also be considered, including Resource Definition Format (RDF), which provides XML metadata, and document object model (DOM). Volunteer organization and operation Volunteers face the challenge of developing help models while simulta- neously attaining support among W3C members. A number of current W3C member organizations, such as Microsoft, Oracle, Sun, and IBM, have already expressed great interest in the subject. To further its efforts, the Help for the Web mitiative has formed work- ing committees in the areas of commu- nication, recruitment, and research and design. The Research and Design com- mittee is responsible for developing help standards, identifying desirable behaviors and potential technologies, providing examples and prototypes, and recommending conventions and practices. The Communication com- mittee will manage an official web site and publicize the initiative by providing information and updates to newsletters, trade publications, meetings, and con- ferences. The Recruiting committee will solicit the involvement of developers and other key persons at W3C organi- zations as well as recruit new volunteers for the committees. There is also a Management committee charged with overall management of the initiative. All committees welcome volunteers who can offer their time, effort, and expertise. Possible recommendations Following are some of the items under consideration for recommended standards or guidelines: quick access definitions for text, graphics, and form objects. These quick access definitions are not limited to the familiar help popup format. full-site navigation with hierarchical (contents) and alphabetized (index) lists of links other user access links, such as site maps and FAQs (frequently asked questions) link previewing that enables the user to ascertain the identity and orien- tation of a link's targeted destination prior to selecting the link ability of users to identify them- selves based on pre-defined user pro- files (such as novice, intermediate, or expert) and access information tagged for those profiles implementation of a Help Markup Language (HelpML) and other W3C- recommended technologies for supply- ing user assistance elements For more information The success of the initiative hinges on the quantity and dedication of moti- vated volunteers. For more information on the initiative or to participate in a committee, contact one of the commit- tee leaders listed on the Help for the Web web site. Visit the web site at http://www.winwriters.com/helpweb .

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Last updated: May 10, 2000 (mvh)