Malcolm, I've just stopped using on line help completely as it seems that the number of times it is used is out of all proportion to the amount of work you put in to create it. Now, all my "Help" is done via either Camtasia Studio or using Viewlet builder by Qarbon which everyone really likes. All the hours I've spent slaving away with documentation really has been the equivalent of working for nothing.
There is nothing like "seeing it happen" on the screen live in front of you, and it is the nearest I've ever come to being able to use the "chalk and talk" technique with remote customers. In addition the interactive demo's really impress the "fee payers" as well as the grunts who use the software on a day to day basis. I find that a 5 minute video/SWF is worth 1000 pages of manual and I can send out instant help in about 10 minutes which is all I need to produce a Viewlet and post it via email or on on my website. Dave Crozier The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and to lie about your age -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Malcolm Greene Sent: 11 August 2006 16:25 To: [email protected] Subject: [NF] What online help/printed user manual authoring tools are youusing? Curious what products people are using to build and maintain their online help and printed user manuals. I've tried all the popular tools (Doc2Help, RoboHelp, ForeHelp, WestWind HTML Help Builder, Help&Manual) and haven't been psyched about any of these products (or their prices). Other suggestions or a rabid endorsement for one these products? What's your approach to delivering online help? Anyone using more than one format? 1. Windows HLP (winhelp) 2. Windows CHM (htmlhelp) 3. Standalone HTML files 4. Word DOC or RTF 5. PDF 6. Website based help system 7. Home grown help system 8. None ("documentation is for pussies<g>") Finally: Any one still delivering printed user manuals with your products? By default or as an extra cost option? Thanks, Malcolm [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
