Collecting Feedback on What's New Documentation

[M_Dexter]

Hello everyone,

We're considering changes to the What's New doc and want your feedback. We're considering moving to a short, high-level list of new features.

Here's the "What's New" doc for the most recent release: SAS Studio 3.8. Here are our questions:

• When do you read the What's New?  For example, "I read it as soon as I get the new release." or "I never read it."
• What do you like about the current structure of the What's New doc?  What do you find difficult to use or lacking?
• Do you skim the What's New or do you read the details?
• How do you use the What's New?
• What is your role in the organization? Does the What's New help you do your job?
• Do you share this information with others at your site?

Please take a minute to let us know how you like to find out about the new features in SAS Studio.

We look forward to your feedback!

Marie

[Patrick]

Thank you for asking!

The one thing which would be really helpful to me: 

An easy way to search in which version/maintenance release new functionality has been implemented. 

Let's say I want to figure out when the libname XLSX engine became available - I haven't found so far another way than to skim through "What's New" version specific entries to figure that out.

[manikandanms]

• When do you read the What's New?  : When I'm Looking to upgrade to know benefits/cost-effectiveness. Also, after upgrade to learn new features.
• What do you like about the current structure of the What's New doc?  What do you find difficult to use or lacking?: I would prefer like a PowerPoint style or video rather than text/reading.
• Do you skim the What's New or do you read the details?: Read details and look for examples
• How do you use the What's New? Also, after upgrade to learn new features.
• What is your role in the organization? Does the What's New help you do your job?- Understand and share new features with team/use them
• Do you share this information with others at your site?- yes

[M_Dexter]

Thanks so much for your feedback!

[ChrisNZ]

- When do you read the What's New?
Not often enough. Only when a new version is installed.

- What do you like about the current structure of the What's New doc? What do you find difficult to use or lacking?
If versions are skipped (they are) I must read several docs.

Surely online versions could be dynamic to include all enhancements between say V2.1 and V2.4, as desired.

- Do you skim the What's New or do you read the details?
Both. ToC, then details

[M_Dexter]

Thank you so much for your feedback!  We are discussing how to restructure the What's New right now, so this feedback is appreciated!

[ChrisNZ]

I also like @Patrick 's suggestion:

An easy way to search in which version/maintenance release new functionality has been implemented. 

[JackHamilton]

I agree with ChrisNZ's comment that it would be useful to have a way to see the differences between two versions of SAS.

The SAS Studio What's New seems easier to use than the SAS Foundation What's New, perhaps because it's more all-in-one-place, or perhaps because there's simply less new in a single product.