TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:RE: HTML help: HTML editors From:Stephen Arrants <sarrants -at- roidirect -dot- com> To:"'Cheri E. Kelln'" <tekgrrrl -at- yahoo -dot- com>, TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Wed, 28 Jun 2000 15:39:24 -0700
Cheri E. Kelln [mailto:tekgrrrl -at- yahoo -dot- com] asks:
> Does anybody have a preference when it comes to good HTML
> editors?
Allaire HomeSite.
>I have
> used a few, but thought I would ask in relation to HTML Help.
Oh. In that case, RoboHelp tools are what I like to use.
> I was just
> assigned the task of researching HTML editors today. We will
> probably be
> using MS Help Workshop as well.
HTML for Web sites and HTML for HTML Help are kinda/sorta two different
animals. For Web sites, you're writing for a number of different browsers,
for users with different environments (monitor size/resolution/color),
speed, browser versions, etc.
For HTMLHelp, it's IE. Not Netscape or Opera.
> Anyway, my manager mentioned something about MSDN compliance,
> but these
> things are most important.
> 1. WYSIWYG interface that WILL NOT change tagging
Why is this important for HTMLHelp? RoboHelp/RoboHTML or Doc-To-Help or
similar will (try) and create the most efficient code for HTMLHelp.
> 2. Preview and true code views/interfaces
Most good HTML editors offer this.
> 3. Spell checking
Most good HTML editors offer this.
> 4. Quick formatting (e.g., bold, italic, underline, linking
> etc. buttons or
> shortcuts)
Most good HTML editors offer this.
> 5. Good diffing/compare feature
I'm not sure if HomeSite or other HTML editors offer this. I've not had a
need for these features.
> 6. Pretty cheap/readily available
That's two criteria. Pretty cheap is relative. And when someone wants me
to recommend software with lots of features and adds "Low cost" or "pretty
cheap" as a criteria....You get what you pay for. HomeSite is $89-$99 from
Allaire.
Almost any editor can be downloaded in an evaluation version before
purchase.
>
> Also, is there a tool for both editing AND compiling? Do you
> always need an
> editor and a compiler? Forgive my ignorance on this issue.
Well, the professional HTMLHelp/WebHelp tools include a compiler. Microsoft
HTMLHelp Workshop has the compiler (I believe the other tools use this
compiler instead of rolling their own.
steve arrants
Stephen Arrants
Manager of Technical Communications
ROI Direct.com
415.439.7551
www.roidirect.com
