Users did not always notice the help messages (six did not use help at all). Of those who did, two were irritated with the fact that it changed as the mouse moved from one spot to another.
Three users felt they did not give enough information. The messages at that stage explained what data was present in the area under the mouse. Later some of this information was presented as static messages at the bottom of the relevant screen area, and the help messages became task-based advice, updated every time a new event occurred.