Xara's help

Sometimes while reading some theads asking for help I really have to say to myself, God that's a dumb question, don't these people make any effort to find the solution themselfs before writting in. Probably some of them don't but then again, probably many of them do search for help within the program and the problem is that the help section could probably use a major overhaul.

Sometimes I forget how to do something and I just go into help, but this does not always work and I am going to give you an example

Last night, while just puttering around, I opened a web template and one of the first things I notice was "this box streches both horizontally and vertically" and another box was marked "this box streches vertically", etc. Now a few years ago I had played with this as a learning experience but had forgotten how, so, no problem, I go into help, in the index section I typed in stretch. Getting into that section, about the best response seemed to be stetchy objects, so I clicked on this and sure enough, at first glance I figured I was there. Trouble is what they are basically saying is that, yes, you can create stretchy buttons or boxes. So I say how and what is says is, yes, you can create stretchy buttons or boxes. So I say where can I go to learn and they say, yes, you can create stretchy buttons or boxes.

Xara team, get links on this page so people can get to the right place to learn how to do this. Go through your whole help section and get links all over the place since this is not the first time this has happened to me, I really do think it needs revamping. A simple link to the correct page would have saved me quite a bit of time, but I had a major advantage since I roughly knew what I was doing; most people would not have a clue where to go to get the help needed.

And if anybody is wondering where you go to learn how to create a strechy button, "Exports, slices & streches properties" is the answer. I really don't think too many newbies or even experienced people would ever think of going there to find the answer........

Yes F1 is a great tool to use and it has helped so many.

I think I'd agree with you both...

yes the help is a first port of call, and as helps go pretty good.... and yes it can frequently be frustratingly difficult to find things

yes, i agree with both views posted

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Originally Posted by Seagull

...And if anybody is wondering where you go to learn how to create a strechy button, "Exports, slices & streches properties" is the answer. I really don't think too many newbies or even experienced people would ever think of going there to find the answer........

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Hi Frank,

May I offer a suggestion FWIW? Try Googling questions prefixed with "Xara Xone" like 'Xara Xone stretch'. It usually yields good info that often refers to Xara Help subjects.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seagull

Sometimes while reading some theads asking for help I really have to say to myself, God that's a dumb question, don't these people make any effort to find the solution themselfs before writting in.

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I'm a bit of a newbie myself and have often asked questions on this forum and I'll probably ask again but one thing I do know how to do is spell.

and if we must be pedantic, not the only spelling error

but you know what? .. I am useless at spelling because I am dyslexic - I always have to triple check and even then invariably miss something and have to live with it or edit

but it never gets in the way of the art.. and I know at least one great artist [not designer - artist] who cannot write at all...;)

[hey Fred - did I spell pendantic right this time? :p] [sorry Big Frank]

the OP makes a good point whether his point includes a spelling error or not

let's get back on tpoic, oops topic

Yes, sorry Frank and frank

and its got worse - the help that is - it doesn't so much read as a 'help' as a 'manual' sometimes, but without a properly comprehensive index or cross-referencing section...

""as a 'manual' sometimes, but without a properly comprehensive index or cross-referencing section... ""

Steve, bless his soul, has taken my whole thread complete with spelling errors and done a reader's digest on it, summing it up in less then 10 words. Thanks Steve, that has hit the nail on the head and stated the whole problem in 10 words or less.

still can't spell though - so you are not alone in that either.. :)

I write all my posts in Microsoft Word first and the cut & paste this tends to eliminate most of the errors. Some people just like posting questions on the forum so they can get a response from another person “they don’t get out much” or is it just easier. It could also be the fact that it makes them feel more part of the community.

I was always taught that the only dumb question is the one no one asks.

I also know that often someone will post a question thinking we have been looking over their shoulder and know what they are asking about. It is important their questions are worded so we know what program and specifics about what they are having an issue with.

Getting back to what this thread is about. It is sometimes difficult to locate the Help subject we need. We may have read and remember some part of the article but still have difficulties relocating it to obtain fine details we don't remember.

... or "there is no such thing as a dumb question....... but occasionally a dumb answer." (our current US government comes to mind) lol

on-topic: I am new to WD MX8 and I agree that the current help file needs work... especially from a n00b perspective. I imagine it is difficult to write one when you (the author) understands the program, and has to anticipate what a new user will want an answer to. Thank goodness for the internet, search engines, and forums. Imagine a life, not so long ago, without the above. <scary>