RE: DocBooks question

["Gordon McLean" <Gordon -dot- McLean -at- GrahamTechnology -dot- com>]

I think for what you've said that DocBooks is possibly a distraction to you.

You need to help tool that supports flat HTML editing, yes? 

Do you currently offer a hyperlinked table of contents, a hyperlinked index,
a search form? 

Basically the "lack of installed php" is only a problem if you use php code
within your 'web-based' help. If there is no php code then you can typically
change the file extension from .php to .htm without too much impact (YMMV!).
Ask your developers for clarification maybe.

Ultimately what I think you are looking for is a Help Authoring Tool, the
specific needs you'll need to consider in greater depth though. Check out
http://hat-matrix.com/ for plenty of Help Authoring Tool information.

And, for the moment, steer clear of DocBook altogether. You can revisit that
area if required later on.

HTH

Gordon 

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+gordon -dot- mclean=grahamtechnology -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+gordon -dot- mclean=grahamtechnology -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Rick Copple
Sent: 21 August 2007 00:03
To: 'techwr-l'
Subject: DocBooks question

Howdy,

My first post to this forum, just signed up a few days ago. Doing one tech
writing job right now, but is personally my first one so I'm a newbie. :)

So far, so good, and right now it is all web-based help as the program is a
web-based program. However, they are looking at eventually installing it on
company servers, which can still use the web-based, but lack of installed
php might be a problem and a more conventional delivery method would be
needed then.

I've been looking over options and have read up on the DocBooks open source
program. I've downloaded the install file but have yet to actually install
it because it looks like something that could have a pretty steep learning
curve. Anyone here familiar with this program? Is it worth the effort to
learn it or would another route be preferable?

I've also checked out the demo version of "Help Scribble" which seems to be
able to create a decent file, but the concern there is it doesn't look like
it includes a search function. Know anything about that program?

Or is the only really viable option to buy one of the big boys and mortgage
the house to get it? ;)

Thanks.

--
Rick Copple
RLC Data Management
http://www.rlcdata.com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

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