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You should add to the list Help & Manual by EC Software. Single
source, XML import/export, page layout options, conditional text,
several ouput formats (HLP, HTMLHelp, Java Help, Web Help, EBook,
etc.) including Word format and PDF.
Suzette Leeming
On 1/20/06, Kimberly McClintock <kimberlymcc -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> Hi all…
>
> I've spent several hours culling the archives for
> threads related to my problem and found some very
> helpful information. However, as the most
> comprehensive relevant discussion was a year ago, I
> thought I'd post the question:
>
> What is currently the best solution or combination of
> solutions to solve the three-fold problem of needing a
> single source for print docs and help, a more robust
> page layout option (than Word) and conditional text?
>
> Here are the options I've seen discussed in threads:
>
> Word & Web Works Publisher for Word
> Framemaker & some help tool or Web Works Publisher for
> Framemaker
> XLM solution
> Open Office w/ DocBooks
> AuthorIT
> Word & Doc-To-Help
> A wiki w/ Docuwiki
>
> I currently work in Word, with no Frame skills, and no
> XML skills. We prepare our help manually (take the
> word docs and add the HTML). I also do all the
> 'conditional text' manually w/ a combination of find
> and replace and a long recipe of changes to make for
> each of the 2 products that share a lot of content.
> It's time consuming, and, frankly, nerve
> wracking/error prone. I'm looking for something a
> little more automated. I should say, too, that this is
> currently a pretty small operation – I'm the only tech
> writer and 250 pages of documentation in any given
> set, 2 sets possible.
>
> Finally, I am willing to learn, though I don't know
> what will be supported by management in terms of time,
> or in terms of money either. Right now I'm curious
> what the most sane solution is, later I'll evaluate
> the trade-offs time/money/automation etc.
>
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> Kimberly McClintock
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Now Shipping -- WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word! Easily create online
> Help. And online anything else. Redesigned interface with a new
> project-based workflow. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
>
> Doc-To-Help includes a one-click RoboHelp project converter. It's that easy. Watch the demo at http://www.componentone.com/TECHWRL/DocToHelp2005
>
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--
To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but
the inner music that words make.
- Truman Capote
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Now Shipping -- WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word! Easily create online
Help. And online anything else. Redesigned interface with a new
project-based workflow. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l