Proximity as a Documentation concept
An arghh for not fully exploring and logically using the concept.
Where is the best place to present documentation for ease of use?
The closest to where it is needed seems to work the best for most users.
The inspiration for this is the Geo article content type.
When using this type, there is plenty of white space on the form where lat-lon is entered. Lat-lon values can be different, depending upon which geo positioning system is used.
"UTM values like 37.94 and -93.21 please.", right there in the white space would greatly enhance usability, at little or no cost to interface "clutter".
As delivered, it is up to the user to test enter and see if the values work or don't, then try to figure out allowed values using the documentation or source code.
A short note, right there where it is needed, would save a lot of people a lot of time and energy and reduce confusion.
Proximity, having the documentation that is needed, when and where it is needed, trumps all other documentation and all other documentation design principles.
