Anyone had problems with the Help in Doc-To-Help?

[Tim Mantyla <TimMantyla -at- nustep -dot- com>]

I've been evaluating a trial of Doc-To-Help (D2H), and I'm having trouble 
with their online Help. A few examples: 

- There is no glossary of terms. (Ironically, this app creates a glossary 
for the online help it generates!) Terms I put into their "natural search" 
function, like "string," "unresolved link," are explained deep inside 
topics that have to be brought up one by one. The topic titles rarely 
reveal which topic holds the definition or explanation of the term. 

- It's very abstract in many places, and doesn't show examples how to do 
things in many areas, or callouts to point out what terms are being used 
where. 

- Many of the help topics have few pictures to show what they're referring 
to. 

- Help looks like it was written largely by software experts who don't 
always step well into in the shoes of the users. 

Are these deficiencies common to help systems for other HATs?  Which ones 
are best and worst?

Is there another app that does things like Doc-To-Help, but with better 
online help? Has anyone used several Word-based HATs and can help compare 
them? 

Or could this be a sinister plot by the D2H powers that be to increase 
revenue by driving users directly to their training? 

D2H is great because it uses Word, my company's "native" app for many 
potential D2H users. A poor help system is a significant downside.

Tim Mantyla


PS: Would a user poll on the best and worst features of various HATs be 
useful to you?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.