For my part I tend to write documentation as I write code :
I wrote a general (abstract) documentation, then I add more detailed parts.
(then I iterate the second phase until satisfied).
Note that you can do it
- In the same document
Taking care to put the simple abstract part at the beginning
and hiding as much as possible the too specifics details (in an APPENDIX for example)
- In several documents
This allow you to specialize your documentation to the reader
(Beccause a techie don't need the same informations as a commercial...)
The second way is my favourite way, I usually make a (very) small doc describing the product (just to make the reader understand what we're talking about)
I then write a more detailed document with links to several other (specialized) docs (Appendix, user guide, maintenance guide, sysadmin's guide, developper's guide...).
document.
Last note: 'the quick install' and 'common troubleshooting' parts seems to me the most used part of a technical docs (at least at my office), it may be worthy to write them with a special care...
UPDATE : The 'links/resources' part is also a must write to my mind...
UPDATE 2: As I realize that my answer may be far from practical, I'll add some common useful guidelines :
- Write a READABLE way
Otherwise nobody will (be able to) use it...
- Adapt your text to your reader (the content AND the form)
- Don't forget your initial goal
your technical doc shouldn't become a technical rant about how good the solution is...In the same vein in a commercial documentation, it's totally useless to explain your over-smart technical hack, speak about technological advance ;-)
- Use spell checkers (It's VERY important for some people (usually your bosses ;-))
- Use a portable format to allow other people to work on your documentation, convert it...
" Only Bad Coders Code Badly In Perl" (OBC2BIP)
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