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Subject:Re: Online Help Systems From:eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 7 Oct 2003 10:32:17 -0400
It's a tired argument that I just don't understand. In the OS holy wars, there's
the sub-current of if it's not cross-platform it's no worthy. My question is
why?
Cross-platform compatibility makes good sense when collaborating with files in
an environment that allows different content creation and management tools. But
why is it important for the end product? Why should the limitations of all
platforms be imposed on the end-product when instead with a minimum of planning
the strengths of each platform could be exploited.
Particularly in the case of help systems where the various tools make multiple
outputs fairly straight forward. The argument shouldn't be how to make the help
function cross-platform but how to deliver the appropriate help system to each
targeted platform. Then, given time how to improve and take advantage of
specific strengths or work-around specific weaknesses of each platform/help
system.
For instance, if winHelp/HTMLHelp is what your PC users see in their operating
system, deliver your help system in the same format. If Java is all that will
work on another deliver that as well. It's only laziness and lack of planning to
not generate a different help system for any other platform. The developers need
to do different builds for different platforms, no? So why shouldn't help
writers? If developers have to take into consideration Mac heads complaining
that many windows based programs aren't Mac enough and PC users complaining the
interface isn't "intuitive" then writers should be subject to the same
criticism. Particularly since so many writers seem to be amongst the various
platform users complaining about the integration of the "user experience" from
their perspective of DTPs, and HATs.
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