TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Ideas for Help 2.0 From:Phil Snow Leopard <philstokes03 -at- googlemail -dot- com> To:"Bowes, Rebecca" <Rebecca-Bowes -at- IDEXX -dot- com> Date:Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:33:32 +0700
In every single case without exception — whether its Mac OS X, Microsoft Office, virtual machine software or just looking for help on my wife's smartphone or my digital camera — the fastest and most efficient way to get answer to help questions is always a Google search.
For that reason, I think if you're offering a cloud-based app (implying that your users are online more or less by default), I'd put your help on a "slick" webpage done in DreamWeaver or something equivalent, and make sure it gets trawled by google's bots.
Phil
On 12 Jan 2012, at 22:42, Bowes, Rebecca wrote:
> Hi - I just wanted to say I've been asked for the same thing-- "slick" online help for a new cloud-based app that will also be released as a mobile version.
> Marketers want something that parallels and supports the innovative nature of the product.
>
> Pressing F1 or doing the "Click Help > Navigate a TOC > Read some topics" approach seems old. I've also been told that WebHelp is "old fashioned" because of its 3-pane frame with navigation tree on the left.
>
> Because these kinds of requests will likely continue, I'm also looking for alternatives. I appreciate all the responses to this topic.
>
> Rebecca
>
>
Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help.
Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need. Try
Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days. http://www.doctohelp.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-