PDFs and Online Documentation

Subject: PDFs and Online Documentation
From: ekandl -at- unitechsys -dot- com (Erick Kandl)
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 10 May 2000 16:52:15 -0500


Really, this is an issue of clarity. When someone talks about "online
help", it is clear that they are describing the help system included
in a product.

When I talk about "online documentation", I find that some people
confuse what I am talking about with online help; others seem to get
it no problem. Currently, I produce PDF files from native FrameMaker
and Word documents. I then organize those files and put them on a
CD-ROM with a splash screen and some menus with links to individual
documents. This is what I am describing when I talk about online
documentation.

I searched the archive and found references to "online help", "online
help documentation", "publishing books online", and a few "online doc"
hits. I didn't find anything that discussed what I am looking for
though. My questions are really quite simple:

(1) What do you think of when you hear someone refer to "online
documentation"?

(2) Is referring to PDF files as "online documentation" appropriate?
If not, then what would you call that documentation?


Thanks in advance,

Erick Kandl
ekandl -at- unitechsys -dot- com




Previous by Author: Robohelp Crashes
Next by Author: Post a question
Previous by Thread: Re: Tech writers doing UI design
Next by Thread: RE: PDFs and Online Documentation


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads