[austechwriter] Re: HELP... MS HTML Help Vs RoboHelp or others

> why would you want to pay $1125

If what you want is simple HTML Help and you have plenty of time, you can
write it in Notepad or anything else.  Even a Palm, if you know Graffiti
well enough.  :-)

If you want compressed HTML Help (CHM) to display in a browser over a LAN,
you'll need the Microsoft HTML Help kit, with or without a Help Authoring
Tool (HAT).  If you'll be making one small and simple Help system, don't
bother with a HAT.

If you'll be building one or more large or complex Help systems and you'll
be maintaining them regularly, a HAT will help you manage your processes.  A
HAT will help with context-sensitivity, too.  Tools from Virtual Media will
give you Help features you can't get without a HAT.  Other HAT makers
probably have special features too; I only know about the tool set I use and
I can't speak for those I don't know.

If you need HTML Help now but XML is lurking in your future, go have a look
at XDK.  Find out about it at
www.vmtech.com

One other thing: support.
VM *do* provide support.  As well, there's an excellent mail list for HDK
(hdk-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx).  It's very low noise and often quiet, but if someone
has a problem it's resolved very quickly.  There's a separate mail list for
XDK, but I haven't seen it.

If this looks biased I apologise but I don't own copies of all the major
HATs.  I use HDK daily and I've seen XDK, which impressed me.  I don't use
Robo or AuthorIT, so I'm not fully up to date with them.  Suggestion:  get
onto the HDK list, the XDK list, and the lists for Robo and AuthorIT and ask
some questions.

HTH
Allan

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