RE: User's guide for Web applications

["Keith Soltys" <keith -at- soltys -dot- ca>]

I agree completely. If you can produce a PDF, you can certainly produce at
least a basic HTML-based help system. Even if it's just a HTML frameset that
loads in a different browser window from the application, it will be easier
for the user than a PDF file. You can still provide the PDF file as an
option for those users who want a printed copy that they can read offline.

If you are using FrameMaker then single-sourcing with either WebWorks
Publisher or MIF2GO is the way to go. See the article "The Joy of
Single-sourcing" by Hedley Finger on my web site:
http://www.soltys.ca/techcomm/articles/the_joy_of_single-sourcing.html

Regards
Keith

 --
Keith Soltys
keith -at- soltys -dot- ca
Host of "Internet Resources for Technical Communicators" since 1994
Now at http://www.soltys.ca/techcomm.html



> -----Original Message-----
> From: bounce-techwr-l-68718 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
> [mailto:bounce-techwr-l-68718 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com]On Behalf Of David
> Demyan
> Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001 10:13 PM
> To: TECHWR-L
> Subject: RE: User's guide for Web applications
>
>
> Laura said:
> > There is no plan for online help for the application, so all
> > users questions need to be answered within the application
> > itself or in the PDF.
>
> Laura,
>
> Run, don't walk, back to whomever made that decision and try
> to talk them out of it. Web applications are the best case
> I know for justifying an online, web-delivered help system.
> The User Guide in a PDF won't cut it. Feedback for users of
> web-based applications needs to be just-in-time, point-of-use,
> just-what-I-need-to-know. The PDF requires too much commitment
> on the user's part to be effective. If they don't believe you,
> have them contact the experts (there are plenty of them on
> TECHWR-L).
>
> David B. Demyan
> Mendem Concord, Inc.
> http://www.mendem.com.
>


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