Navigation Pane: hide or show, and why?

[mafaulkner]

The default webhelp toolbar includes a button for the user to show or hide the navigation pane (Contents, Index, etc.). I'm debating whether to delete this button, because I want a narrower Help window. Does anyone have data on how often users hide the navigation pane? I personally never do, but that's not conclusive!

Thanks.

[nickatwork]

I think he's talking about the Show/Hide nav button in the toolbar and whether or not to keep it there rather than the actual Nav pane itself.

Personally, I leave the show/hide button where it is. It doesn't take up much space and if people use it then great, if not it is hardly in the way. Though I would suspect it is not used that much users at all.

Nick.

[JohnB]

I think it provides value for those instances where you choose to display Help without navigation, i.e. in a pop-up style window for context-sensitive Help topics. The 'show' button then allows users the option to search and explore elsewhere. Otherwise, meh.