AuthorIT

AuthorIT is a database-driven content management and authoring system that can produce print and web content as well as online help. As a content manager, its Workgroup version allows you to collaboratively create and secure documents.

Supported output formats
WinHelp, HTML Help, JavaHelp, Oracle Help; also HTML 3.2 and XHTML 1.0

Professionals
AuthorIT is reasonably priced and supports a variety of output formats; it also offers versatility for other projects besides online help.

Cons
The many features and alternative uses of AuthorIT can be overwhelming for those who simply want to develop online help and have no experience with content management tools.

Microsoft HTML Help Workshop

HTML Help Workshop is Microsoft’s tool for creating HTML help, its standard help system for the Windows platform. You’ll also hear it referred to simply as Microsoft Help. You can import existing .htm files as help topics for a new project or create new help topics in the HTML Help Workshop window, as shown in Figure C. If you have an old WinHelp project, you can import and convert it to HTML Help.

Supported output formats
HTML Help

Pros
The price is right, and the interface of HTML Help Workshop may seem more familiar to Windows programmers than other tools. It’s easy to integrate with the Windows API.

Cons
HTML Help Workshop is a simple HTML editor. It lacks single-source capabilities and only supports help for Windows desktop applications. Some features of 1.3 are outdated compared to other authoring tools.