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Do you need document management (version control) or delivery?
It looks like delivery at first blush, so here I go. Ignore me if it's a
version control question.
If intranet deliery is an option, I would go either PDF or HTML. Personally,
I prefer HTML delivery for speed and linking options, but if users need to
print out the documents, PDF might be the better choice.
If they will be downloading docs from a server or if the docs will reside on
local hard drives, the best option is PDF.
I'm not sure what's not being updated ---- the actual documents or external
binders that contain the documents? If it's the documents, you will want to
make sure the options I mention above are OK for the audience. HTML, in
particular, might be intimidating to non-writing professionals. If it's the
binders, intranet delivery should solve the problem quickly.
-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-199665 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-199665 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of John Bartol
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 10:51 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Invoking the 'list-mind': small-scale document management.
Suggestions?
I have been asked to come up with a solution for a client that addresses the
following scenario:
- client has a small number (10-20) of documents (manuals) developed
in-house for in-house training and periodic reference. These manuals are
procedural, or low-tech references.
- manuals are currently hard-copy compilations of Word, Excel, and generated
printouts from other software
- client wants to make these accessible electronically --> currently not
being updated due to cost/effort of getting everything together, printing it
up, etc. Would like to see something that is usable and accessible (they
asked about making these into PDFs)
- for the most part, the content will be provided by them (of the three
types of content, only the Word files would be ripe for editing to conform
to a not-yet-developed style guide :-)
So...
I'm trying to flesh out a good system for handling/managing these documents
(and the multiple unique elements of which each is composed).
How have *you* dealt with such a setup, or how *would* you deal with it?
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