CBT Summary

Subject: CBT Summary
From: SuePStewrt -at- AOL -dot- COM
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 1994 12:38:49 EDT

I apologize for the delay, but here are the responses I got to my request for
CBT recommendations:

Please post a follow-up. I'll probably end up using Authorware
Professionare -- the demo looks interesting and our Technology Centre
just got a copy.

-- Michele

I don't use authoring software, per se, but I use "construction kits." For
Windows, I use WindowCraft and ToolBook. For Mac, I use SuperCard and
HyperCard.


Anyway, my response is not a "what we use" message
but rather, a note out of professional obligation to note that we produce a
tool often used for CBT apps, namely ToolBook and its cousin, Multimedia
ToolBook. Both are visual programming envirionments that people use for
content generation; if you're familiar with Hypercard on the Mac, they're in
that vein, but expanded. We have brand-new versions of both out just now, so
we're pretty pleased with ourselves. <g>

I can have someone send you info if you'd like, I guess.


-- Mike Pope
mikep -at- asymetrix -dot- com

I'm new to CBT, new to authoring tools, and new to the tech writing
listserv...but those points aside, I'll share information regarding my
research in this area. (Read at your own risk!)

Doc-to-Help: I saw Ben Wexler (of WexTech--the creators of Doc-to-Help)
demonstrate the latest version of this tool during the STC National
Convention. He had a beta version there that had quite a few bugs in it, but
it was due for release in June. As it turns out, this latest version (I
think it's 1.6) is now bumped back to August 10th for release. This is the
third or fourth time they have changed the release date. I ordered this
software to create help files for a program we are releasing in October;
from what I've seen and heard, people seem to like it and find it user
friendly. You can simultaneously create online help and a manual in Word
when you use this tool, but I haven't decided whether or not to do that.

RoboHelp: Don't know much about this, but I do know some people who have
used it and have had positive results.

DEMOquick: This is a program I just found out about on Friday last week. I
have a demo on my machine that one of our programmers pulled off of a
bulletin board. The Copyright (1993) is for a company called AMT, and there
is a phone number: (508) 263-3030. I am seriously looking at purchasing this
program for some CBT modules we are going to develop. My plan is to create
the tutorial using this product (if it's as good as it looks) and then to
attach tutorial notes/help files using Doc-to-Help.

Other programs that seemed to be on the lips of tech writers at the STC
conference this year:
1. Adobe's Acrobat Exchange and Distiller (two programs--you need both to
create and read, I think)
2. No Hands Software's "Common Ground" (has embedded viewer option)
3. Farallon's Replica (it's like "Common Ground")

I have other info on ScreenCam and Video for windows, two video "accessory"
programs. You are welcome to this info if you want to give me your fax #.
Hope this helps!


I do not use it, but several close friends are using IconAuthor. I've
looked at a couple of demos, and have watched their work progress and
been very impressed.

It's a Windows (and NT) application. Seems to be easy to use. Lots of
flexibility. Worth a look, I'd say.

--
Howard D. Speck


As to CBT software, I use TenCORE. Why? Because it was
that or Wyse, those were the only packages the company bought.
Besides, TenCORE was easier to learn and provided more built-in
tools that Wyse. Which was why we bought TenCORE and left Wyse
to those already using it.


Chuck Banks


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