I need to write lots of step-by-step software guides and reference material at work. I tried using a variety of packages to get the job done, and in the end PowerPoint came out best.
PowerPoint for what is essentially an eBook?
I tried word, the results were tedious and predictable, it's OK for HR policies and such like, but doesn't have immediacy.
Publisher was OK for quick reference guides where I have to get a lot of information onto a single sheet of paper, but I found it too fiddly for creating more in-depth guides. I write a lot and need to get them out in double quick time.
I even put some wiki pages together on the intranet, but that was too much hassle creating the graphics, uploading them to the server, embedding the tags, rearranging the page...
Finally, PowerPoint. For a step-by-step guide, 1 slide per step, freeform layout, focus on images and 'enough' text to show what's going on. Between the snipping tool and PowerPoint I was able to create what was needed.
I like to use the snipping tool as opposed to the screen grabber built into PowerPoint just because it's easier for me to organise my windows on the screen. Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V gets the image onto the slide very quickly.
Everybody at work has PowerPoint, but I can still export PDFs for those that need them.
I must try the same trick at home, either using Keynote on the Mac or Google Slides.
Time flies when I'm on a guide-writing roll! Speaking of time flying, here's the first hint of autumn.
