RE: in search for better tools

[Mike Hamilton <mhamilton -at- madcapsoftware -dot- com>]

OK, last post on this issue. However, if anyone wants to continue offline then please send me direct at mhamilton at madcapsoftware dot com. If you want, I will even give you my direct cell number so you can call and yell at me if you so desire.

Mike Hamilton's post does not show that we don't understand the issue. It shows that we do understand the issue and it is not an actual issue, but an issue of perception and splitting hairs. As such it has been duly noted, and scheduled as a feature request, but of the B category, not the A category.

We simply make tools. Single sourcing tools. If a team wants to implement report tracking via .chm file, but they have concerns, then by all means, use the single-source publishing capabilities and generate two .chm files, one with and one without. Then create an installer that politely asks which one the user would like to install. As to adding an opt-out to a .chm file, the format is locked down by Microsoft so the only way to do such a thing would be to add a new .dll file that would have to be installed with the .chm file and registered on the machine. That would be a HUGE amount of overhead for something that would be much easier to do via the installer option I mentioned above. Or, the only way to do it without a .dll would be to add an opt-out to every single topic - not realistic at all.

So, in the end, an opt-in is absolutely doable, via the installer. The installer that will be written/created by the very same people that want to use the reporting feature. If they have the resources to install and implement servers and server software and are already writing an installer for their application, then this should be child's play. 

Again, my last post on this issue. This functionality is completely anonymous, has been vetted via legal counsel, similar functionality is in use by many companies worldwide (any idea how much data Google collects on you daily?), and can be set up with opt-in/opt-out options. I will not be baited, lured, cajoled, or enticed to post again, but anyone that feels I or MadCap Software are not doing our job because we have not shut down the entire company over this perceived injustice, then please contact me direct via the methods in the opening paragraph and I will give you as much time and attention as you need.

Mike Hamilton
V.P. Product Management
MadCap Software

> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+mhamilton=madcapsoftware -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+mhamilton=madcapsoftware -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-
> l.com] On Behalf Of Robert Lauriston
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 11:18 AM
> To: Bill Swallow
> Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: in search for better tools
> 
> Mike Hamilton's post shows that the company still does not understand
> the issue.
> 
> What needs to be fixed is not Feedback but Flare (which generates the
> .chm), and a MadCap Feedback user requested that fix over a year ago:
> 
> http://forums.madcapsoftware.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=7564
> 
> On Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 9:57 AM, Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
> wrote:
> > Robert,
> >
> > On Wednesday, December 09, 2009 at 9:23 AM (posted time in my inbox)
> you wrote:
> >
> > "The only way to make Flare's feedback feature compliant with privacy
> > laws and service agreements that require consent before gathering
> data
> > would be for MadCap to add an opt-in feature."
> >
> > Then, on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 at 12:34 PM (posted time in my
> > inbox) Sharon Burton replied to you:
> >
> > "We've passed that feature request on to the developers for the next
> release
> > of Feedback."
> >
> > So yes, your objections have been noted, responded to, and delivered
> > to Madcap Development.
> >
> > NOW can we please wet-vac this poor dead horse up and move on?
> >
> > Bill
> >
> > On Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 12:50 PM, Robert Lauriston
> <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com> wrote:
> >> Actually, MadCap has yet to note my objections.
> >>
> >> If you're annoyed by my diligence in trying to get MadCap to
> recognize
> >> the problem, stop reading this thread.
> >
> > --
> > Bill Swallow
> >
> > Twitter: @techcommdood
> > Blog: http://techcommdood.com
> > LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/techcommdood
> >
> > Available for contract and full time opportunities.
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------
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> > Join: http://stcideas.ning.com/?xgi=6X1vNGI
> >
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Are you looking for one documentation tool that does it all? Author, 
build, test, and publish your Help files with just one easy-to-use tool.
Try the latest Doc-To-Help 2009 v3 risk-free for 30-days at:
http://www.doctohelp.com/ 

Help & Manual 5: The all-in-one help authoring tool. True single- sourcing -- 
generate 8 different formats and as many different versions as you need 
from just one project. Fast and intuitive.  http://www.helpandmanual.com/

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