[This is preliminary documentation and subject to change.]
Graphic Design and Text Layout
Development Note: The title font name and size should be loaded from the resource file thus allowing localizers the ability to change it. If the wizard being designed is a system component, development should specify the font name as "MS Shell Dlg". This will allow system to remap the font if necessary.
Text Usage
To promote usability, the new wizard style provides for statements of purpose and summation on the Welcome and Completion pages respectively, and clearer, more consistent Interior page text in the form of a title and task description in the header section of each page.
A. Welcome page text:
States: 'Welcome to the (name that) Wizard', then gives a comprehensive explanation of the wizard's purpose. It can begin by stating, "This wizard helps you to " (Example: This wizard helps you to create a new user account on this computer)." When appropriate, a list of the tasks performed by the wizard can be included. See Diagram B1Back
B. Interior pages header section text:
This text includes a short title that defines the subject or task of that particular page followed by a one-sentence description of the task to be perfomed by the page. See Diagram B2Back
The one-sentence description below the title can be written in several ways: as a question, as a description, or as a command (Imperative tense). Examples follow:
Computer Operating System (title)
Is the computer's operating system set up to operate with Small Business Server?
Installing the Computer Operating System (title)
Installation files will be copied to your hard drive.
Sounds (title)
You can choose a sound scheme then preview its different sound events.
User Permissions (title)
Specify what the user is allowed to do.
C. Completion page text:
States: 'Completing the (name that) Wizard' and also 'You have successfully (done such and such)'. In some wizards it might be appropriate to actually list the tasks the user completed.