open source tools for user assistance
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Exploring Open Source and Alternative Tools
Exploring Open Source Tools for User Assistance
Mike McCallister (ProTek Writing Services)
[email protected]
Tool Demonstrations & Reviews
What is open source software?
Definitions
Open Source: http://opensource.org/docs/osd
Focused on what developers offer.
Allow derivatives, free redistribution.
Free Software: http://www.fsf.org/licensing/essays/free-sw.html
"Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software."
Focused on what user can do.
Freeware/Shareware
"Free beer": Any software charging $0.
Beware of potential malware!
So What Are We Talking About?
Content development tools
OpenOffice.org: Words, presentations, etc.
Scribus: Desktop publishing, page layouts
TeX: Document processor, semi-structured text
Graphics tools
The GIMP: Raster graphics
Inkscape: Vector graphics
OpenOffice.org
5 applications
Writer word processor similar to Word, WordPerfect
Draw vector graphics tool similar to Illustrator, CorelDRAW
Impress presentation similar to PowerPoint
Calc spreadsheet similar to Excel
Base database similar to Access
ODF OASIS standard
AutoExport to PDF
Some configuration possible
OOo Writer vs. FrameMaker vs. Word
WriterFrameMakerWord
Master documentsBook filesMaster documents
Conditional textConditional textLimited conditional text support
Direct PDF exportAcrobat DistillerPDF plug-ins available.
Cascading stylesStructure availableCascading styles; Strong outline tool
Simple list numberingSimple list numberingField codes
OOo Writer Navigator
Outline tool
Configurable headings
Drag-n-drop
Quick go-to
Tables
Graphics
Hyperlinks
Move it out of your way
OOo Writer/Web
For HTML-based support
Cleaner code than Word
XML Forms Wizard
Simple controls in toolbar
Gallery provides backgrounds, bullets, and sounds
Preview in (default) browser
Scribus
Page layout / Desktop publisher
Create text and graphics elsewhere, then import
Good for (short) manuals, quick reference guides, dynamic PDF
Export to print, PDF
Careful: Default templates in A4
Scribus
Created for UNIX CLI, LyX is the GUI
Fully separates presentation from text
WYSIWYM: What you see is what you mean
Exports to ODF, PDF, HTML
Terrific equation editor
Excellent documentation
LyX
LyX Terminology
Document Classes: Templates
Article (default)
Book: Article with Chapters
Letter
Report
Weakness: No "user manual" class. No DITA or DocBook XML support.
Environments: Styles
Strictly enforced by document class
Open Source Graphics: The GIMP
Open source Photoshop
Raster graphics
(JPG, PNG)
Layers
Screenshots
Beginning to support CMYK color rendering through GEGL
GIMP vs. Photoshop
GIMPPhotoshop
Layer stylesLayers
Scripts, not macrosMacro recording tool
Many useful plug-insMassive developer community writing add-ons
GimpShop available, but not currentUses different terminology
GIMP is great if its your first editing tool, but Photoshop experts may not find their skills transferable
Open Source Graphics: Inkscape
Open source Illustrator/CorelDRAW
Scalable Vector Graphics
Layers
Callouts & text boxes
Flowcharts
Built-in IM
support client
What Are Scalable Vector Graphics?
W3C Standard XML
Attributes can be indexed and searched
Inkscape contains an XML editor
No pixilation when you resize
Supports event handlers
Can animate with JavaScript
Not yet in Inkscape
Text Boxes in Inkscape
Create simple text box
Set font
Type
Add arrows as necessary
Why Use OSS for User Assistance?
Accessible to everyone
Open standards
Price is right
Learning curve comparable from app to app
Portability
Resources
OpenOffice.org: http://www.openoffice.org
OOo Doc Team: http://oooauthors.org
Scribus: http://www.scribus.net
Lyx: http://www.lyx.org
The GIMP: http://www.gimp.org
Inkscape: http://www.inkscape.org
Other Resources
TheOpenDisc: http://www.theopendisc.com
Wikipedia list of OSS packages:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open_source_
software_packages
PDF Creator: http://www-pdfcreator.com/
Dia flowchart tool: http://live.gnome.org/Dia/
Mike McCallister: http://www.michaelmccallister.com
2009 Mike McCallister, Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.
2009 UserAid, all rights reserved.