Steptorials : stepping through complex applications

Abstract

The steptorial is a new form of help system designed to assist new users in learning complex applications. Steptorials provide examples of high level user goals within applications using a hierarchical instruction set by breaking this goal into smaller goals, down to the level of individual interface interactions. Steptorials are unique in that they have they control structure of a reversible programming language stepper, allowing the user to step over, step back over, or step into any instruction. Further, the user may choose, at any time, to be shown how to do a step, be guided through it, or to use the application interface without constraint. This allows for varying the autonomy of the user at any step while reducing the risk of trying new operations.