Re: Online help using plain HTML editor

[Goober Writer <gooberwriter -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

> We are in the process of updating our online help. 
> We have a difference
> of opinion as to whether it is possible (advisable)
> to develop our online
> help simply using a HTML editor, and add the search
> and navigation
> elements ourselves.  

This can be done, and is done by quite a few people.
Look into DevaTools for Dreamweaver (a 3rd party
extension).

> This gives us maximum
> flexibility in that we are not
> confined to the specific features of an online help
> application such as Robohelp or AuthorIT.  

Not so. You can get the amount of control you need out
of these tools, and others. It's all in how you
approach the project.

> It also means that our
> customers can customise the
> online help pages that we send them.  

How is that beneficial? You're giving them an
opportunity to potentially distribute misinformation.

> We would write a script so that when
> we send them the next version of pages, all pages
> that they changed would not be overwritten.

That script can be used in virtually any HTML output
from any source. You can make room for it in your
authoring templates, or append it afterwards.

> The tools that I have looked at
> do not really let the
> customer edit their own pages.

Again, what's the value of doing this? What type of
editing do you perceive them doing? Is this a customer
request? A request from the majority of customers?
Remember, unless you have them sign a release stating
that support for the Help is void should the contents
be edited by the customer, you'll have to support
their customizations when they fail.

> I would like to hear from anyone who uses an HTML
> editor to develop their
> help pages and is happy with the result.  I would
> like to know how they
> add the search and navigation elements.

Check out http://www.helpweavers.com/

=====
Goober Writer
(because life is too short to be inept)

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