four features that matter when choosing a help
TRANSCRIPT
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Four Features That Matter When
Choosing a Help Authoring Tool
Char James-TannyJTF Associates, Inc.www.helpstuff.com
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You
Vendor
Vendor Slide 2Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Slide 3Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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HAT-Matrix Blank Report #2http://hat-matrix.com/blank_report_2.html
Slide 4Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Four Categories for Today
Slide 5Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Outputs
Slide 6Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Outputs Listed onHAT-Matrix.com
Slide 7Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Help Authoring Survey ResultsSeptember 2008
PDF 27.95% 792HTML-based Help 13.09% 371HTML Help 10.97% 311Word 10.80% 306Printed manuals 8.22% 233FrameMaker 8.50% 241DHTML 7.48% 212Slide Presentations 2.72% 77WinHelp 2.12% 60Other 8.15% 231
Slide 8Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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What Really Matters
You can publish the outputs you need…with the features you want.(It's a given: multiple outputs, single-source or multi-purpose (or both), conditional content.)
Slide 9Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Development Environment
Slide 10Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Slide 11Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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What Really Matters
Importance is waning as lines blur between traditional and production HATs.
Consider differences in training and legacy docs when making decisions.
XML? See Scriptorium's White Papers page (scriptorium.com/papers.html).
Slide 12Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Importing Legacy Content
Slide 13Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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According to DCL…Convert… Expect…
Minimal cost, delayed ROI
High cost, reduced ROI
Some cost, best ROI
* DCL = Data Control Laboratories
Slide 14Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Get information first!
Compare…
Read forums…
Download & test… Slide 15Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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What Really Matters
Look for extra features that might help (for example, replacing content on import).
Check for pre-processing and post-processing tweaks.
Slide 16Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Reusing Content
Slide 17Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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What Can You Reuse?
Slide 18Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Special Types of Content Reuse
• Variables• Reusable formatted chunks of
content• Other
Slide 19Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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What Really Matters
Look for extra features that might help:
• Analyzers
• Reports
• Organizational Help
Slide 20Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Thank you!
Slide 21Copyright © 2008 JTF Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved.