Sean, I use a program for audio editing that uses this kind of help. You can have it display right away when your mouse stops when you start using the program, then have a short delay before it pops up when you're more accustomed to the features (and get irritated by the help popping up all the time!), and finally, turn it off when you don't need it anymore. For that program, it works. The topics are short and there's no need to memorize or have graphics.
Maybe this guy has seen a program with that kind of help and that's why he wants to do it. If that's the case, knowing what kind program it was and being able to contrast it to what you're writing about might help him to see it won't work in this case. HTH, Lisa G. On 3/9/07, Brierley, Sean <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Thanks. > > My boss thinks this guy is a wingnut. However, it is what it is. I've > been invited to a meeting next Friday on the matter. > > I think using tooltips for online help is 100% a bad idea; I cannot > imagine what the 1% you mention could be. Accessibility is poor, as > there is no TOC, IX, links between "topics," etc. There can be no > graphics. Maintenance is a pain because you cannot globally format, > spell check, etc. Usability stinks because the content disappears if you > mouse off the control ... so for longer procedures, readers must make > efforts to memorize the text, use SnagIt to grab the screen, etc. > > It is a business decision. Not sure what this guy wants. I bet, when the > dust settles, nothing will change in the way we do online help currently > -- which is uncompiled HTML with context senitivity provided by > controlling filenames and using Aname bookmarks. > > Dunno. I'm amused by the whole thing. Thanks for the thoughts. > > Cheers, > > Sean > ______________________________________________ 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. DOCUMENTATION & TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com _______________________________________________ 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
