[Sigia-l] When Should a Manual be Web-based?

[Frank Siraguso]

Boniface Lau wrote: "Since Word can generate HTML for a document, there is little reason to publish in
Word format."

But, IMHO, Word is lousy for HTML. Better put the copy into a "real" HTML page. Otherwise, I agree.

Frank

-----Original Message-----
From: Boniface Lau [mailto:boniface_lau at compuserve.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 6:59 PM
To: sigia-l at asis.org
Subject: RE: [Sigia-l] When Should a Manual be Web-based?


> From: sigia-l-admin at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-admin at asis.org]On
> Behalf Of Bollaert, Jodi
> 
> Does anyone have any tips for deciding when a manual should be
> web-based (vs. in a PDF or Word format)?

When you expect users to actually read a manual using a web browser,
it makes more sense to publish as a web-based document.

A PDF document's layout is fixed at the time it is published. PDF
therefore cannot re-flow its pages to fit the browser window. Thus,
users are often forced to do horizontal scrolling. It is terrible.

Reading a manual in Word format often causes users to be uneasy
because some keystrokes may actually alter the manual. Since Word can
generate HTML for a document, there is little reason to publish in
Word format.


Boniface
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