Joe, First, use Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) for the actual manuals. This is rapidly becoming the defacto world standard for on-line documentation. You can link to them from .html web pages easily. You can also burn them onto a CD-ROM if you need to include manuals with the product.
Acrobat has a catalog feature that will allow the user to click on a title in the document and immediately open that page. In my current assignment, I regularly retrieve .pdf integrated circuit specifications from the manufacturers web pages. The printed pages are razor sharp, 8-1/2" x 11" data sheets. You can (with the licensed software) print to a .pdf file from any application, including schematic packages. The reader is available for free. I once demonstrated the ability of Acrobat for a client. By clicking on the appropriate line of a top level Bill of Material the appropriate document was immediately displayed - Schematic, PCB artwork, mechanical drawing, component specification, etc. The down side is that you need a modern computer and laser printer to get the most out of it. I have no experience with how the EC and various agencies feel about this. All the documentation I worked with was for company personnel and technically savvy customers. Scott Lacey P.S. Disclosure: I have no financial interest in Adobe Systems or any other software company. I just like the product! -----Original Message----- From: owner-emc-p...@ieee.org [mailto:owner-emc-p...@ieee.org]On Behalf Of marti...@appliedbiosystems.com Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2000 6:11 PM To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org Subject: UL Acceptance of On-Line Manuals We are planning to switch over to an on-line system for our User Manuals. Does anyone have any experience with using an on-line system? Does the user have the same access as with paper manuals? What are the downsides of such a system? Has anyone dealt with UL and the European Union on their acceptance of on-line manuals? All information is appreciated. Regards Joe Martin marti...@appliedbiosystems.com ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to: majord...@ieee.org with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: jim_bac...@mail.monarch.com Michael Garretson: pstc_ad...@garretson.org For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: ri...@ieee.org ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to: majord...@ieee.org with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: jim_bac...@mail.monarch.com Michael Garretson: pstc_ad...@garretson.org For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: ri...@ieee.org
