User Manual

User Manual Critique

Introduction

For my manual I have selected the Sony Vaio’s “Recovery, Backup, and Troubleshooting Guide.” The manual can be found at http://safemanuals.com/user-guide-instructions-owner-manual/SONY/VAIO-VPCCA3S1E-_E. The manual covers recovering data, backing up your computers files, and frequent troubleshooting tips that are common to the Sony Vaio.

Document Organization

The manual is setup in a folding pamphlet style. The information is set up into the three main categories recovery, backup, and troubleshooting. Each category has several sub-categories that make use of lists and bulleted topics. The document is organized very well and is very easy to follow.

Layout

The manuals layout as stated above is a two page front and back folding pamphlet style document. The manual is divided into four pages that includes a title page. Each section or page has a main category title which is then divided into sub-categories. The document makes use of different font color and sizes for its headings.

The text in the manual is divided into two evenly spaced columns. The author makes use of numbered lists and bulleted points to break up the information and to create a better flow for the reader. The author does not overfill the pages with information and uses appropriate spacing and uses white space to not overwhelm the reader.

Overall the layout is appealing to the eye and keeps a continuous flow throughout.

Use of Visuals

There are monochromatic graphics that are used in the manual but they are used sparingly. Some of the visuals that are used are solely for decoration and serve no real purpose other than to fill space. These visuals could be taken out and allow for more information to be placed into the manual.

The graphics that are used in describing