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Re: Timeframe for creating Online Help System

Subject: Re: Timeframe for creating Online Help System
From: "Jerry Muelver" <jerry -at- hytext -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 13:13:02 -0600


I don't feel comfortable creating a document that isn't usable, but I have
until February 1 to deliver a user manual. Is it realistic to create a help
system (not sure the number of topics) in this timeframe (I'd be using RH
X5)or do I just concede and deliver a 700 page PDF?


Concede. It's his product, and he needs to meet his deadline, his way. Frame the problem like that, and promise to do everything you can to save his neck with his unrealistic deadling and treasured PDF files.

When presented with a similar conversion situation about 5 years ago, I had a team to work with, and didn't have to pull the trick off as a solo act. We dumped the whole works to HTML, retreaded the team from their multi-step Interleaf->Word->PDF rut into one-step HTML+CSS production, and generated 1300 pages of online operator support systems in one-third the time projected for doing it the old way.

But I think in your case, as a solo performer you should do it his way first, and buy the time and credibility to do it the right way later.

---- Jerry Muelver


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References:
Timeframe for creating Online Help System: From: Hamlett, Ashaki

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