TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Re[2]: How commonly used are PDFs? (Was: Should we skip HTML
Subject:Re[2]: How commonly used are PDFs? (Was: Should we skip HTML From:Virginia Day <Virginia_Day -at- DATACARD -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 10 Mar 1998 11:48:07 -0600
Tell it, sister! Everyone who'll tell you that one format or the other is
the *only* way to do it is wrong (not to put too fine a point on it).
Thanks, Arlen. We need a voice for reason. Most technical
communicators I know have a passion for facts, and zealotry in any
form is not fact-friendly.
The issues surrounding PDFs are the same as for other issues we deal
with: know your audience and what matters to them, consider the usage
circumstances for the information, and have a comprehensive approach
for addressing as many of these issues as possible. PDFs can be a
valuable tool in meeting audience needs, especially when they
supplement delivery tools/methods that users like and are familiar
with. HTML also can be useful, as can WinHelp and paper.
It all depends. Some developers need to be cutting edge and question
the value of content presented using more traditional media. Users
outside the U.S. or Europe, as Anwar Ahmad pointed out, might require
traditional media due to factors that we can't imagine here. But, we
can always do our homework so we can make the most informed decisions.
