The Microwriter is a one-handed portable digital word processor from 1978. It has an excellent 'New user's guide' that is easy-to-read and full of humour too.

The Microwriter is a one-handed portable digital word processor from 1978. It has an excellent 'New user's guide' that is easy-to-read and full of humour too. The user guide is written as a conversation between the "author" and a cartoon picture of a key (button) with a face, arms and legs. The key represents the impatient and inquisitive user who can't wait to start using the device. It's worth remembering that most users where unfamiliar with computer jargon: <author> Don't worry: correcting is easy but first you must learn about COMMANDS. <cartoon key> Sounds a bit military! --- <Section title> Carriage-returns <cartoon key> Train going backwards? <author> No! --- Microwriter New user's guide [PDF, 18mb] https://www.microsoft.com/buxtoncollection/a/pdf/Microwriter%20New%20Users%20Guide.pdf https://www.microsoft.com/buxtoncollection/a/pdf/Microwriter... Aside: Bill Buxton, the computer scientist and designer, had this to say of the guide: "I think that the New User’s Guide is one of the best examples of technical writing that I have ever seen in a user’s manual. I love the parallel use of different representations to get the message across. I really appreciated it when I was learning, and think that the manual is worth studying for its approach."