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: On-line help and manuals From:Suzanne Townsend <ac158 -at- CFN -dot- CS -dot- DAL -dot- CA> Date:Fri, 10 Feb 1995 07:07:34 -0400
I'm interested in the responses to this one. I'm beginning a new manual
and on-line help, using Doc-To-Help, and ASSUMED that the on-line help
would be taken from the manual -- i.e., a one-write system. It means
writing the manual slightly differently, and of course leaving out
portions of the printed manual, but isn't the point of this software to save
time?
> We are developing our first Windows<insert trademark symbol> product,
> and I am fortunate enough to be developing the on-line help. I am using
> Doc-To-Help
> as our help tool.
> In a perfect world, the on-line help document and the manual document would be
> separate beasts. However, due to time, staff size (2), and all of the other
> regular inhibitors, we are trying to determine whether or not these documents
> can be (or should be) one in the same. Whatcha think?
> FYI, Doc-To-Help has a neat little feature that allows you to designate
portions
> of the document as Manual or Help only. This sounds like it could resolve some
> issues.
> Thanks in advance,
> --
> Dan Glovier
> dan -at- tsh -dot- com
> "Wanna go back to fifth grade, but I'd be 23."
> - "What It Is" Too Much Joy