Four Features That Matter When Choosing A Help

Four Features That Matter When

Choosing a Help Authoring Tool

Char James-TannyJTF Associates, Inc.www.helpstuff.com

You

Vendor

Vendor Slide 2Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HAT-Matrix Blank Report #2http://hat-matrix.com/blank_report_2.html

Slide 4Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Four Categories for Today


Outputs


Outputs Listed onHAT-Matrix.com


Help Authoring Survey ResultsSeptember 2008

PDF 27.95% 792HTML-based Help 13.09% 371HTML Help 10.97% 311Word 10.80% 306Printed manuals 8.22% 233FrameMaker 8.50% 241DHTML 7.48% 212Slide Presentations 2.72% 77WinHelp 2.12% 60Other 8.15% 231


What Really Matters

You can publish the outputs you need…with the features you want.(It's a given: multiple outputs, single-source or multi-purpose (or both), conditional content.)


Development Environment


What Really Matters

Importance is waning as lines blur between traditional and production HATs.

Consider differences in training and legacy docs when making decisions.

XML? See Scriptorium's White Papers page (scriptorium.com/papers.html).


http://scriptorium.com/papers.html

Importing Legacy Content


According to DCL…Convert… Expect…

Minimal cost, delayed ROI

High cost, reduced ROI

Some cost, best ROI

* DCL = Data Control Laboratories


Get information first!

Compare…

Read forums…

Download & test… Slide 15Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What Really Matters

Look for extra features that might help (for example, replacing content on import).

Check for pre-processing and post-processing tweaks.


Reusing Content


What Can You Reuse?


Special Types of Content Reuse

• Variables• Reusable formatted chunks of

content• Other


What Really Matters

Look for extra features that might help:

• Analyzers

• Reports

• Organizational Help


Thank you!


Four Features That Matter When Choosing A Help

Technology

Transcript of Four Features That Matter When Choosing A Help