Re: What Program Do You Use for Software Documentation?

["CL T" <straylightsghost -at- gmail -dot- com>]

I've written a few manuals in Flare that are single-sourced -- it worked
well (with the exception of Code Samples...still a LOT of work to do there
MadCap).

InDesign CS3 (and CS2) could be single-source tools also. I use them
exclusively to write, design and publish documentation in my current
position...and we're talking manuals over 300 pages in length with extensive
formatting. It also allows you to export "snippets" for re-use in any doc
that happens to import XML.

Again, ID CS3 is not the best tool...but it fits the need if you are doing
layout work in addition to writing.


-Collin Turner
Tech Writer, Screencaster, Writer
www.collinturner.com



On Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 6:38 AM, Stephen Arrants <steve -at- mbfbioscience -dot- com>wrote:

> > I do take exception to including Flare, RoboHelp, etc. as single
> > source tools. They normally require some other tool to produce the
> > text, and often the formatting before transforming it. As such they
> > are transformers and are only marginally single source tools. They
> > are more accurately a multiple plath transforming tool.
> >
> > Scott
>
> We've had success with Flare 4, publishing HTML Help and a printed manual
> from the same source files. Granted, it took a lot of work and re-education
> of staff to do the groundwork of setting up styles, conditions, etc. But it
> can be done, and it was less painful than writing in Framemaker and then
> wrestling that content into the online suit of clothes.
>
>
> --
> Steve Arrants   steve -at- mbfbioscience -dot- com
> Writer
> MBF Bioscience  (Microbrightfield, Inc.)
> +1.802.288.9290 ext: 124
> www.mbfbioscience.com
>
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing
> solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor,  Microsoft Word or
> HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals.
> http://www.doctohelp.com
>
> 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
>
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ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing 
solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor,  Microsoft Word or 
HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. 
http://www.doctohelp.com

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

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