Use Simulators
Use Simulator is a true-to-life model that imitates a computer program or a device. It shows the exact interface, interactively explains what you see on screen, and visually describes every action you need to know.
You can observe the actions step by step, with comments and at your own pace. In many cases you can even practice the actions interactively. When sufficiently confident, you will switch to the real program.
With a Use Simulator, you will:
- instantly find reference information about the program
- naturally learn how to use the program
- confidently practice tasks on interactive screens.
To sum it up, the Use Simulator is at once a reference manual and user guide, plus a practice device.
What else makes Use Simulators different from our familiar paper manuals, user's guides, or online help systems?
First, it carries even more information. An average Use Simulator is an equivalent of a 800-page book.
Second, the information is always current, updates are easy in electronic form.
Third,any piece of information is no more than three clicks away. The knowledge is placed so naturally that you immediately get to the heart of the matter instead of struggling with tables of contents or unfamiliar words.
Below is a screenshot of Use Simulator for MS Outlook. The screen has two parts: Outlook interface on the right, and a control panel on the left. Click on How it works for more details.
How Use Simulators work, or What they do
Use Simulators show you a software application from two perspectives and let you practice real actions. Click on images to view animated demos (you can speed them up using 
).
- Reference and Exploration: What is this?
To find out the function of a menu item or a button - just move your mouse over it. The method is called "ask-by-pointing". - How to use - show: How to do this or that?
Walk through a task step by step: click on each step in the list of steps, and see what happens on screen. Minimal reading is needed. - How to use - practice: Practice doing this or that.
Practice a task clicking on interactive buttons and menu items exactly as you will do in your real program.
The animated demos show simpler examples. Advanced actions are in the full versions of Use Simuators.
