Re: Web Help Tools

[Jo Francis Byrd <jbyrd -at- byrdwrites -dot- com>]

Both RoboHelp and ForeHelp will do the job you need for them to do. Each has
features you wish the other had - typical of most products performing the same
function. Both cost about the same, too, though ForeHelp may be a little
cheaper. I'd download demos of both and see which one best fits your needs for
the purpose.

You can do the job in straight HTML, but the tools will save you LOTS of time
(the ole T=$ equation - Time equals money!) and hair pulling; they automate many
of the tasks you would otherwise do by hand. For my bang, they're worth the
buck(s).

Jo Byrd

Jon Leer wrote:

> Your advice is appreciated.
>
> I am starting a contract to write help for a Website. The person who hired me
> presumed that we'd use RoboHelp (he's a project manager over several
> developers; I'd be the only writer) and told me if I need a license to go
> ahead and purchase it and he'd reimburse me. Of course, he asked me the price.
> RoboHelp Office Suite is $899.
>
> Is it really necessary to get as comprehensive a tool as this is supposed to
> be? Does this really give you the bang for the buck?
>
> I did a Web help project a while back and was looking through a RoboHelp HTML
> demo CD as a possible tool for the job. That was nixed when the client told me
> to write in plain vanilla HTML. So I wrote HTML in Notepad, and ftp'ed the
> files to the guys who hired me to load up on the site.
>
> However, with the advancement of various Web features, e.g., DHTML, I will
> probably need a Help-oriented tool for this job. Is RoboHelp Office really the
> way to go? Is there any other product out there that is better priced
> and offers great functionality? Or, can I simply stick to straight HTML
> coding?
>
> Also, what are the best design and how-to books out there for writing and
> managing Web-oriented help projects?


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