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FWIW, Here is a comparison between ForeHelp and RoboHelp, prepared by an
associate in my tech writing department who no longer works here.
ForeHelp:
+ easy to learn
authoring:
+ no need to compile as you go
+ multiple topic editing
+ tools to automatically create context-sensitive
help (e.g., prompts you to create topics for
DLLs and then automatically assigns IDs to
relate the DLL to the appropriate topic.)
- less specific Web support
project management:
- more manual file management (initially)
+ more flexibility in report info (topic properties,
template reports, lists of graphics (where used;
how many times), etc.)
Single sourcing:
~ generates .rtf (preserves headings, styles, popups
as footnotes or glossary items, topic odering
etc.)
- how easy to convert to FrameMaker??
RoboHelp
+ easy to learn
authoring:
- must compile to view contents
- must close/re-open to edit >1 topic
- must track context sensitive IDs (no way to
tell if a dialog is missing context-sensitive help)
+ offers access to a web community of users
(eHelp.com)
project management:
+ easy file management (automatic)
- less flexible reports
Single sourcing:
- Converts help files to chapters/books for use in
Word 95, 97, 2000 (no FrameMaker)
