Online Communication Categories

To categorize your entry, determine its purpose and compare it with the following categories. Some entries may not fall firmly into one particular category. If you feel that your entry is applicable to more than one category, please include this information on your entry form. The Online Communication Competition Coordinator will contact you to resolve any issues with categorizing your entry.

OC1. Help

Online information that has a primary purpose of providing immediate assistance to individuals while they use a product. It provides information appropriate to the task on an as-needed or as-requested basis. This category includes, but is not limited to, general help, procedural help, cue cards, examples, performance support, and integrated user assistance.

OC2. Demonstrations

Interactive online information that has a primary purpose of demonstrating or describing the main features of a product or product line with user interaction or feedback. This type of online material motivates people to buy or use a product, or informs them of the features and benefits of a product. This category includes guided tours and marketing material designed for dynamic user interaction.

OC3. Technical Marketing

Online information that has a primary purpose of describing or defining the main features of a product or product line. This type of online material motivates people to buy or use a product, or informs them of the features and benefits of a product. This category includes, but is not limited to, online brochures, catalogs, marketing material, and most corporate Web pages.

OC4. Tutorial/Training

Online information that has a primary purpose of teaching the techniques for using the main features and capabilities of a product, or of assisting in the process of teaching. This category includes, but is not limited to, computer-based training applications, tutorials, online lesson books, and training aids.

OC5. Reference Material

Online information that has a primary purpose of defining or explaining structure, results, words, problems, or parameters. These documents are typically published in a reference format, similar to a dictionary or encyclopedia. This category includes, but is not limited to, online dictionaries, glossaries, function or object descriptions, data structure definitions, encyclopedias, and directories.

OC6. User Support Tools

Online information that has a primary purpose of assisting the user to complete a set of tasks or solve a set of problems. This category includes troubleshooting tools, wizards or wizard-like task completion tools, quick start guides, and automated support tools.