Re: Print vs. Electronic Trends for Documentation

[Hope Creskoff <hac -at- LURCH -dot- CORP -dot- HARRIS -dot- COM>]

Hi there,

I'm also interested in this information.  With 2 months to go
to print documentation for a new software release I was
told by top management that the documentation will not be
printed, but distributed for viewing with an html viewer. Although
many of our customers were hollering for online availability,
I don't recall anyone saying they did not want >any< printed
documentation.

"Someone" purchased a conversion program that would convert the
Frame 5 docs to html, and kabloowey, we're online. No more printing.

I've been running into frustration after frustration - learning
and tweaking the new conversion product AND writing the documentation,
simultaneously.

The viewer that we are distributing with the software
doesn't allow printing ;). Hopefully the customers will reconfig.
to use a viewer that does allow printing (at least!).

We're due to release in a week, and I'm out of time.  So, for our
next go-round, I'd like to learn more, get input from those who've
been there. I'm hoping to get a lot of insight at the STC conference
in Toronto as well.

thanks,
Hope Creskoff
=============================================
Hope Creskoff                           hcreskof -at- harris -dot- com
Harris Corporation                      Phone: 407-724-3205
Network Products & Services, MS 75      Fax:   407-724-3627
1025 W NASA Blvd
Melbourne, FL 32919
http://www.hnm.harris.com/
Melbourne Art Festival 4/26 & 27 http://www.melbournearts.org/



> From dburke -at- RIGEL -dot- TYDAC -dot- COM Wed Apr 16 10:31:10 1997
>
> Hi All,
>
> Just wanted to get your view on the future trends for
> documentation for a software product. Traditionally, software
> documentation has taken the form of printed manuals along with
> context-sensitive online help.
>
> Now, with so many more mediums and tools, i.e., CD, WWW, PDF,
> HTML/SGML, a whole slew of options become available.
>
> Are you producing printed software documentation manuals and how
> long do you expect to do so?
>
> Do your software users prefer printed material or are they ready
> to switch to softcopy/electronic material? Or will you provide
> both options?
>
> Do you have plans to go to softcopy/electronic documentation
> exclusively in the near future? If so, what format/medium will
> you use?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts/opinions.
>
> Diane
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Diane Burke
> TYDAC Research Inc.
> 2 Gurdwara Road, Suite 200
> Nepean, Ontario, Canada
> K2E 1A2
>
> 613-226-5525, Ext. 202
> dburke -at- tydac -dot- com
>
> "No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings."
>                                 -- William Blake
>
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