atw: Re: New Software for Documentation Department

Just to add my $0.02 worth in support of what others have already said.

I doubt that you'll find a single tool to do everything you want.
AuthorIT does a lot, but it doesn't do DTP easily; equally, DTP tools
don't do online Help easily (if at all). You *can* get AIT to create
brochures and so forth, but you are limited by what you can do in Word
and things such as text boxes and frames are not readily available using
AIT (you can do it, but it's easier to use a specialist DTP package). 

At the end of last year, I wrote an introductory article about AuthorIT
for "Southern Communicator" (published in the June 2005 issue). If you
don't get that as a member of one of your NZ tech comm organisations,
there's a PDF copy available from my website at:
http://www.cybertext.com.au/tips_ait.htm and a link to it from the home
page of the AuthorIT website <http://www.author-it.com>

Also on my website link is a short piece on creating 2-column output in
Word from AIT ("Newspaper-style columns in Word"). While not exactly a
brochure, it may give you enough ideas to actually do one using AIT.
Personally, I use InDesign for my quarterly newsletter. I'm not a really
keen in InDesign user, but I find that it suits my purposes for this
newsletter.

HTML output out of the box with AIT is OK, but you can get quite
creative if you know a bit of HTML and CSS and customise your 'wrapper'
templates for the content. I use a text editor (EditPlus; ~$30
shareware) for all HTML and CSS customisation, without the need for
editors such as Dreamweaver etc.

And to contradict a point that someone else raised today, AuthorIT is
equally useful for lone writers. I have been using AuthorIT as a lone
writer with multiple clients for the past 3+ years. It has as many
time-saving benefits at that level as I'm sure it does for a team of
writers. 

As far as a book on single-sourcing goes, I'd suggest you start with Ann
Rockley's "Managing Enterprise Content" - it's very readable and breaks
down the issues nicely.

Rhonda

Rhonda Bracey
rhonda.bracey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
http://www.cybertext.com.au
AuthorIT Certified Consultant
-----Original Message-----
From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John Bennett
Sent: Monday, 11 July 2005 4:46 AM
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: atw: New Software for Documentation Department

Hello Everyone,

I have just started as a technical writer with an electronic navigation
company in Auckland. This is a new position in the company and I have
been asked what software I need.

This is probably a one time opportunity to get the the right software
for the job instead of having to make do with what's available.

The general manager is keen on developing new ways of delivering
documentation via their internet and intranet sites. Most of the
documents will be traditional installation, operator and maintenance
manuals, plus brochure style data sheets, but they are also looking at
ways to deliver training programs as well as putting together sales and
marketing brochures.

I have been looking at the AuthorIT website, but am not sure if this is
any good for traditional DTP style documents like brochures. From what
I'm reading on this and other forums and websites, I think single
sourcing is the way to go, though I don't have any experience in this
area yet.

Does anyone have any thoughts on AuthorIT as a do all package, or any
other packages that can handle the above? Also is there any recommended
training or books available on single sourcing and delivering documents
in a web page format?

Looking forward to some interesting replies.

Regards
John Bennett
Electronic Navigation Ltd
Email: john@xxxxxxxxx
Phone: +64 9 373 5595
Fax: +64 9 379 5655
Web: www.enl.co.nz


--
Sent Via PCNet Webmail - http://www.pcnet.co.nz

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