Re: Online Help question

[Kathleen MacDowell <kathleen -dot- eamd -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Hi Melissa,

I know a number of people have mentioned that "it depends". One way to get a
bit more insight into the capabilities of HAT programs is to explore the HAT
matrix. Note though, it does rely on vendor content:

Looking for a Help Authoring Tool? Before posting for feedback, check out
the HAT Matrix at <http://hat-matrix.com/>.

There is also a HATT list on yahoo that you can sign up for:
HATT -at- yahoogroups -dot- com <http://email.secureserver.net/search.php#>

I think Kevin's post has some of the strongest points in the Flare vs Robo
consideration. From what I've seen posted, Flare's support is extremely
superior. With Robo we seem to primarily have support from some highly
knowledgeable users who write user/training manuals, and one other super
user who works for Adobe.This is all my opinion only and subject to
modification by others with more experience with either or both programs and
their support. I do not work for either company or receive anything from
them :-)

Good luck,

Kathleen

On Thu, May 6, 2010 at 10:24 AM, Melissa Nelson <melmis36 -at- hotmail -dot- com>wrote:

>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> I have a couple of questions and I am not quite sure how to ask them, so I
> hope I make sense!
>
>
>
> Ok Here goes....
>
>
>
> I started a job as the first technical writer at a company a few weeks ago;
> by the way thanks for all the tips! :)
>
>
>
> Anyhow...they are looking at starting an Online Help system, or at least a
> series of FAQs that can be searched. I suggested using RoboHelp or FLARE for
> producing the content, I have experience with RoboHelp and Help and Manual
> but not FLARE. Is FLARE better than either RoboHelp or Help and Manual? I
> know it seems to be the most popular lately, but is it really any better?
>
>
>
> Also, I have produced the content for Online Help and then passed it off to
> developers, so when they asked me in the meeting what happens with the
> content after I produced it, my only reply was "I do not know..I send it to
> developers!" I kind of need a better answer if I am actually going to get
> this system..and it is really needed! Does anyone on here know of a great
> answer for what steps Online Help goes through from producing it in an HAT
> to actually being able to access it when you click a Help button?
>
>
>
> Hope that made a little sense..just came out of a two and a half hour
> meeting on it and my brain is fried! :)
>
>
>
> Thanks so much,
>
>
>
> Melissa
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Use Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word, or HTML and
> produce desktop, Web, or print deliverables. Just write (or import)
> and Doc-To-Help does the rest. Free trial: http://www.doctohelp.com
>
>
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-- 
Kathleen MacDowell
kathleen -dot- eamd -at- gmail -dot- com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Use Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word, or HTML and 
produce desktop, Web, or print deliverables. Just write (or import) 
and Doc-To-Help does the rest. Free trial: http://www.doctohelp.com


 - Use this space to communicate with TECHWR-L readers - 
   - Contact admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com for more information - 


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