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Subject:RE: Baiting for the single source rant From:"Swallow, William" <WSwallow -at- courion -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 6 Sep 2001 09:10:23 -0400
<snip>Single sourcing works (or can work) but it's a trade-off. When I've
created manuals and online docs (help, online manuals etc) I have NEVER
simply used exactly the same text/structure etc for both. It can be done
but only by compromising the quality of one/all. It all depends on how big
the compromise is and how that compromise fits in with saving on time
etc.</snip>
Again, that's repurposing, not single-sourcing. Single-sourcing does not
involve a compromise; it's a different way of looking at documentation. I'll
be the first to admit that you cannot write a document with the intention
that it will be printed, bound, and shipped, and then turn around and put
the same exact content into online help.
Single-sourcing involves thought, planning, structure, and flexibility.
(Please note that the only part any tool can help you with is the
flexibility part.)
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