> Well, I kinda wanna figure it out myself. If I have some skilled, > educated, trained, experienced, and generally wonderful consultant do > it, then I don't learn nout.
True...of course, you also don't learn the things that you'll need to do once and only once ;-) I appreciate your point. But this kinda sounds like "if I can't do it myself, then I don't want it done." Which is fine...but a bit self-defeating ;-) > Plus, remember, tech pubs is overhead. Whilst we might and have bring in > a contractor or consultant to author a deliverable for us, it's doubtful > we'd get the okay to spend money on improving tech pubs processes. If you improve tech pubs processes, do you also increase other things? Like time to delivery? Do you decrease things like basic costs required because no one knows who's doing what? I'm just asking :-) Anything I suggest will require time. But you can start by putting together a list of the features you need (maybe get a recorder so that you can say them while driving home), such as WYSIOP editor, user security, CMS, needs to include other apps like a blog or calendar (or can be a standalone wiki or blog). Once you know what you need, you can figure out which app will be best. (Check out a variety of sites to see what you like and don't like...Wikipedia, MSHelpWiki, WikiWackyWorld, any of our blogs, etc.) Then you can install by following the instructions at the appropriate website. (If, by any chance, Fantastico is running on your server, you can use it.) For the most part, once the software is installed, it's ready to use. It won't be customized, but that shouldn't be too big of an issue. The most you'll have to do is run some administrative things. Char James-Tanny ~ JTF Associates, Inc. ~ http://www.helpstuff.com ---------------------------------------------------------- Please send follow-up questions to the list. (Inquires sent off-list may not be seen.) Contact me directly (CharJT at helpstuff dot com) with business inquiries. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2006-2007 Microsoft Help MVP Find a Help Authoring Tool at HAT-Matrix.com ~ http://hat-matrix.com Co-author of "Managing Virtual Teams" ~ http://www.wordware.com/wiki AuthorIT Certified Consultant, Development, and Training STC Secretary, 2006-2008 Web site Hosting and Design ~ http://www.jtfhosting.com ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DITA West 2007--Use a discount code of "TECHCOMMPROS" to get a discount rate of $200 off the $800 price if you register before close of business January 15, 2007. http://www.travelthepath.com/conf/dita2007.shtml _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
