This is a manual assessment memo of the Microsoft Surface Hub User Guide.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Microsoft
FROM: Katey Bator
SUBJECT: Surface Hub User Guide
DATE: February 7, 2021
Surface Hub User Guide
This is regarding the current Surface Hub User Guide available at http://www.microsoft.com/surface/support/surface-hub and the overall effectiveness of the guide.
Effective Components
The Surface Hub User Guide begins with a straightforward introduction to the Surface Hub equipment. These introductory pages give the reader a general summary of what the equipment can be used for and describe the various icons and keys. This information is crucial to the reader because they must understand the equipment to begin using it. Each icon and key include a small picture that correlates with the physical equipment. The key sections are also sorted based on the location of the keys on the Surface Hub. This makes it easier for the reader to follow along with the documentation. The document consistently uses clear headings that explain what each section is about. The use of bullet points under most of the sections also helps with keeping the reading material clear and concise.
Ineffective Components
The documentation lacks detail and organization in some areas. Page two and three include descriptions for the “Replacement PC connection icons”, “Wired Connect connections icons”, “Additional connection icons”, and “Warning icons.” Each icon is supposed to include a location, but the “Warning icons” do not. The icons on these pages are also separate from the additional icons found on pages eleven, twelve, and thirteen, with no given explanation. This can confuse the reader and delay them from using the equipment. The “Welcome screen” section states that the Welcome screen appears when the Surface Hub wakes up. The instructions then begin detailing how to join a scheduled meeting and access other features on the Surface Hub. This is confusing because at no point did the User Guide explain the setup process for the Surface Hub. The reader may not know how to configure the equipment so that they have a user profile or are able to access their Skype account. The icon examples for “Start”, “Task view”, and how to start an ad-hoc meeting in Skype, are also missing. Because of this, the reader will not know which icons on the equipment correlate with the instructions. The “Conduct a meeting” section may confuse readers because there is no clarification on if the meeting can be initiated from the Surface Hub itself, or if another device needs to be connected.