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Subject:Re: Printed vs PDF documents From:TechComm Dood <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Thu, 14 Oct 2004 09:16:17 -0400
> How were PDF documents received by your customers? Yes, I have polled
> our customers, I just want as much information as possible from fellow
> professionals before I make a case for or against to present to our
> product managers.
To be honest here, you'll never get 100% buy in for any form of
documentation delivery. Some people are dead set on getting a printed
book, some are super keen on getting online documentation, some a
little of both, and some will complain for the sake of complaingin
until their dying day.
We are transitioning some content to PDF, HTML, and online Help over
time to lighten the cost of printing large books. The goal is to ship
a "bird's eye view" in print and provide a mega brain dump online.
I'd advise against suddenly shipping online-only if you've been
printing for a long time. There will be a perceived drop in value on
the customer side, and you will certainly hear about it. Rather, try
transitioning bit by bit, and make sure you cite "additional
documentation resources" that are installed with the product (if
software) or are online.
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