8   Writing and Production Software

Web Authoring Software

Web authoring software is used to create and publish documents on the World Wide Web (see Figure 8-7). You should select your Web authoring software even before you start word processing your manual.

Figure 8-7: HTML Transit’s dialogue box for converting document styles to HTML

There are lots of Web authoring software packages to choose from. Some require that you know how to read and write hypertext markup language (HTML)—the code that the Web recognizes—and some don’t. Some allow you to create both print and online versions of the same document from the same set of files (single sourcing). Pick the tool that best suits your needs. Sometimes you can download demonstration copies of Web authoring software from the Web and try them before you buy them.

It’s probably a good idea to learn some html and understand how it works before you try to create and publish your online manual. Don’t expect a Web authoring software package to work like a word processor, even though the interface may look similar. Some word processor features may not be available in Web authoring software.

Once you’ve selected the Web authoring software you will use, learn what conventions you’ll need to follow in the word processor files to ensure a smooth transition to online form. Let everyone on your documentation team know which software package you’ve chosen, why you chose it, and how it impacts their role in the manual development process.