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Subject:RE: Which product should we use? From:"Chris McQueen" <chrism -at- docutechcorp -dot- com> To:"Samantha Montini" <s_montini -at- qwest -dot- net>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:37:21 -0600
Samantha:
I had the same needs as you, and being very new to the industry wasn't
sold on the trial versions of Framemaker.
I went with AuthorIT. It's been great for me, especially since I'm
tasked to create a custom manual for each of our customers. It is very
easy to single-source and reuse content. www.authorit.com
Also, a fellow AuthorIT user, Char James-Tanny, create a document
comparing Help Authoring Tools. I'd suggest you take a look; realizing
it was written by someone who knows AuthorIT very well and likes it. http://www.helpstuff.com/hats.html
Good Luck,
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+chrism=docutechcorp -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+chrism=docutechcorp -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Samantha Montini
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 12:46 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Which product should we use?
Hi there! I am a contract freelance writer just re-entering the field
again after taking several years off to raise my kids! I recently
secured a contract position with a small software development company
where I will be writing training/procedure manuals and online help.
The first step involves working with the company to determine the best
authoring tool for the project. Because I've been "out of the loop" for
5 years or so, I am no longer an expert on the available products. I
would love to hear your expert opinions.
The company's goal is to have me document something once, then
"re-purpose" it for hardcopy and online use. Three things they want to
be able to provide from a single source are:
1.. Adobe PDF's for people to download and view/print on their own.
2.. Online help organized and linked to each screen.
3.. Customizable for clients. Ie. We deliver to them the source in
some editable format and they can edit and customize it all they want to
fit their specific needs.
Any suggestions? I know Framemaker is a popular tool for tech writers,
but I haven't personally used it yet. Can you create both hard copy and
online documentation with it? I apologize for my lack of expertise, and
appreciate your feedback!
Easily create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to any popular
Help file format or printed documentation. Learn more at http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
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WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Easily create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to any popular Help file format or printed documentation. Learn more at http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
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