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Subject:Re[2]: Web Server & Documents From:"Mendem Concord, Inc." <dbdemyan -at- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET> Date:Thu, 3 Apr 1997 12:22:24 -0500
Techwhirlers;
Kate Folse wrote to ask how to author/convert documents for a web
site to be served up on an inter/intranet.
I responded that I favor two approaches: convert to HTML from Word
using something like HTML Transit, or, if a Help-like environment
is desired, author the documents in RoboHelp and convert to HTML
after compilation.
Then, Mike Collier - SSG wrote:
> I wouldn't worry about converting documents to HTML. On your intranet
> pages, list the available documents and link them to files containing
> the documents. The files should be in whatever the users have on
> their machines to read text documents (e.g. if they mostly use Word,
> link to a Word file).--snip--
I emphatically disagree. This approach may work marginally well
(with handholding and support) in an internal only intranet. Kate
may want to serve these documents up to the outside world.
(According to her original query they may go on an "intra/internet.")
It is probable a high percentage of users will not have Word and
will not be able to read/browse/print the documents.
The lazy approach is to pass out electronic files and let the user
worry about reading them. The right way is to make it easy on the
user by converting to a multi-platform solution that will work no
matter what type of computer they are using and what programs they
have loaded.
Dave.
......................................................................
David B. Demyan Mendem Concord, Inc.
Toll Free: (888) 753-8500 Technical Writers
FAX: (908) 756-0129 Document Conversions
dbd -at- mendem -dot- com http://www.mendem.com
......................................................................
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