Software and Support
The following links point to some of the most popular tools for
word processing, page layout, website and online help system development, and working with graphics.
Adobe
Tools for use in technical communication applications:
- Adobe Acrobat:
creates PDF (portable document format) files from source documents. PDF documents can be read using Acrobat Reader on any platform.
- Adobe Captivate:
eLearning content authoring tool for creating simulations, software demonstrations, scenario-based training, and quizzes without programming or multimedia skills. Can automatically generate interactive Flash Player compatible content without requiring users to learn the Flash authoring tool. Also see Developer Center with tutorials, articles, samples, and templates.
- Adobe Contribute:
website management program that allows subject experts with little or no web authoring experience to create or revise content.
- Adobe Dreamweaver:
professional web development program for creating and managing websites.
- Adobe Fireworks: program for prototyping websites and creating and optimizing images for the web .
- Adobe
FrameMaker:
page layout tool for writing and distributing long, structured, content-rich documents. Also see resources with articles and tutorials.
- Adobe Illustrator:
a comprehensive vector graphics environment for all creative professionals, including web and interactive designers and developers, multimedia producers, motion graphics and visual effects designers, animators, and video professionals.
- Adobe InDesign:
tools to enable professional page layout, collaborative copywriting, and automated publishing. Also see Support Center with tutorials and articles.
- Adobe PageMaker:
page layout tool for creating and printing all types of documents.
- Adobe Photoshop:
powerful tool for digital image enhancement, photo retouching, and image compositing.
- Adobe RoboHelp:
tools for authoring WinHelp and HTML-based Help. Create Help files for any application or for Intranet information systems. Also see the RoboHelp forum.
Other sites related to Adobe products:
- Adobe Forums:
an interactive online environment for discussion of Adobe products and related topics, where Adobe users exchange questions, offer ideas and suggestions, and share tips and tricks.
- Adobe Marketplace & Exchange:
a central resource for finding tools, services, and innovations that supplement and extend Adobe products.
- Adobe OnDemand Seminars:
free seminars on Adobe products.
- Essential Resources for FrameMaker Users by Keith Soltys: links to support forums, mailing lists, tutorials, and other resources.
- Free Framers:
a community of Adobe FrameMaker users exchanging ideas and technical support. Includes an email list and a wiki.
- IconLogic's WeBLOG: place for sharing resources, ideas, and general information about Adobe's technical communication applications: RoboHelp, FrameMaker, Captivate, Acrobat and PhotoShop. Created by IconLogic.
- InDesign Central by Galen Gruman: expert advice and resources for InDesign users.
- InDesign Secrets: fixes, resources, and workarounds for InDesign users.
- MicroType: FrameMaker, Acrobat, and Captivate training.
Author-it
Software for authoring, content management, language translation management and single-source publishing to multiple outputs
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help
Tool for developing printed documentation, Windows Help, HTML, HTML Help, and JavaHelp from a single source.
CorelDRAW
Tool for illustration, page layout, and photo editing and painting.
Corel
WordPerfect
Word processing tool.
LView Pro
Basic tool for viewing, editing, creating, and cataloguing simple images. Less powerful than Adobe Photoshop but considerably less expensive.
MadCap Software
XML-based suite of tools for content authoring, analysis, collaboration, publishing, translation, and multimedia creation.
Content workflow solution for publishing in print, online, and the web. Also see the Knowledge Base and free demos and webinars.
- Flare: for multi-channel, single-source publishing. Also see Webhelp and Forum.
- Blaze: for long printed documents.
- X-Edit: for short documents. Allows subject matter experts and occasional contributors to seamlessly review and provide content for documentation.
- Analyzer: for reporting, analyzing, and fixing projects.
- Feedback:
for getting live user feedback on content for Web-based and desktop documentation.
- Lingo: for fully integrated translation memory and authoring.
- Mimic:
software simulation tool for creating movies of software or systems without any programming knowledge.
- Capture:
for capturing anything that displays on the computer screen as an editable image, and enhancing it.
- Echo: for adding audio to documentation projects.
Microsoft
Tools for use in technical communication applications:
- Communicator:
for communicating and collaborating easily with others in different locations or time zones using a range of different communication options, including instant messaging (IM), voice, desktop sharing and video.
- Excel:
for creating and formatting spreadsheets and charts, and analyzing data.
- Groove: collaboration software
that helps teams work together dynamically and effectively, even if team members work for different organizations, work remotely, or work offline.
- InfoPath:
for creating and deploying electronic forms to gather information.
- PowerPoint:
for creating, sharing, and managing presentations.
- Publisher:
for creating, personalizing, and sharing a wide range of publications and marketing materials in-house.
- SharePoint Designer:
for creating and customizing Microsoft SharePoint Web sites. Based on Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 technologies.
- Visio:
for creating data-connected diagrams such as
business process flowcharts, network diagrams, building site diagrams, and organizational charts.
- Word:
popular word processing tool. Also see Microsoft Word Team Blog for news, tips, and insights directly from the Word development team.
Other sites related to Microsoft products:
Omni Systems
Mif2Go
Tool for
converting FrameMaker files for use in online Help, DITA, Word, and the Web.
OpenOffice.org
Free open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more.
Stores data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages.
TechSmith Snagit
Software for capturing and editing anything you see on a screen. Also see the Learning Center with tutorials for Snagit.
Transit Solutions
Converts word processor documents into HTML and lets you maintain a single set of source files for both paper and online documents.
WinWriters
Extensive list of help authoring tools.
|
 |
|
