Future IP Office Documentation CD/DVD Options 5

[IPOfficeKB]

A couple of weeks ago we had a meeting with two IP Office trainers to discuss various IP Office documentation issues.

One thing that I picked out of it as it falls into my area was that they both access the IP Office documents by downloading the whole set of PDFs at GA and then using that set as their own local reference libary.

The current downloadable "IP Office Documentation DVD" currently consists of both HTML and PDF versions of documents and totals just under 1GB. A PDF only 'lite' version would be approximately only 450MB.

[ul]
[li]Do you use PDF or HTML documentation?[/li]
[li]Would you prefer a smaller PDF only version of the IP Office Documentation DVD?[/li]
[/ul]

 

[tlpeter]

I prefer PDF.
The tech bulletins are in PDF.
The manuals are PDF.
Personally i prefer using the managers help or the knowledgebase.
The offline knowledgebase is there for emergency.

In my honest opinion is that all these docs should be equal.
So if the knowldgebase changes to PDF only then the offline should be this way too.
I really don't mind as long everything can be found which isn't the case at the moment.
Please also mention that the manager help file is terrible now and this is done because it was getting too big.
I do not mind to download it separately and then import it (could be PDF too)


BAZINGA!

I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

 

[Gunnaro]

Second that!

The old way was brilliant, best help section ever seen.


Kind regards

Gunnar
______________________________________
Mille viae ducunt homines per saecula Romam

 

[nbfd731]

I like the PDF too!!!!!

ACSS SME

 

[hibroth]

Best is PDF for me too, when you know what are you looking for it's easy to find the related pdf doc.

Then, I agree too about the manager help file comments, not completely translatedthey actually cause misunderstandings, old ones were really better.

 

[StubbedmytoeonIPO]

I don't care which way you deliver it, but please make the content better.

 

[Greybeard191]

whatever happens, I certainly hope that the 9.1 documentation setup reverts back to the R9 setup.

The current (new) arrangement is a huge step backwards.

GB

 

[intrigrant]

I always use the HTML version as it is better readable as PDF files and everything is within one session, no need to browse through a number of files with sometimes cryptic names.
PDF is so old fashion....

 

[derfloh]

I carry the PDFs around all the time on my tablet. So for me PDF is the better option.

 

[intrigrant]

OK, that is the end of the documentation DVD then.
It has always been the best tool to have but good things are costly and because of that it ends. Sad.

 

[amriddle01]

HTML version is searchable and contains useful hyperlinks to other sections, you aren't going to achieve that with multiple PDFs, basically you are pushing the documentation DVD to the same level of uselessness that the Help files have reached....please don't

 

[IPOfficeKB]

Whoa there horsie. Let me stop those runaways before they causes damage.

[ul]
[li]We have no intention of moving the IP Office Knowledgebase to PDF only. The questions were purely related to the downloadable "IP Office Documentation" version.[/li]
[li]Nor are we dropping the documentation DVD, just asking about its usefulness in its current format and the feelings about either replacing it with a PDF only version or having the PDF only version as a parallel alternate download option.[/li]
[/ul]


Presonally I'm inclined to offer both as having already created a test PDF only version in the space of half-an-hour its pretty simple for me to maintain. However, I wanted to sound out the opinion of actual and potential users before I try to persuade my boss and the colleagues who publishes the files to PLDS that it has value to some users.

For those who are interested, you aren't but I'm a technical author so I am, the most recent survey of documentation formats preferences still puts PDF first but with online HTML a very very close second - proving that you need to do both these days to keep users happy. Actual paper documetation comes very low which is good - I remember prematurely aging stores managers every time I updated a manual.

 

[hibroth]

PDF or HTML is not really important if the contents quality is good. The progressive costs savings is cutting off in many ways, support, Field Trials, training, please at least leave us a good set of documents

 

[derfloh]

HTML is good for searching and to provide hyperlinks as amriddle said.
PDF is good to carry it on smartphone/tablet.

I prefer to have both options available.

 

[IPGuru]

I also like both

I tend to search for discrete pieces of information the web browser interface (capacities- limitations part no's etc) but use the PDF files for installation & user manuals.

As stated by others the changes made to the manager help files are a disaster, they are no longer as clear & many of the most useful selections have been severely damaged (example - pressing F1 when editing a short code now gives seriously abbreviated information & does not have any links to sections such as "Short Code Characters" or available features)

prior to V9.1 the quality of the in-line help has always been a huge benefit in maintaining these systems & I can guarantee all the best techs here consult them often (I know I do)

Currently Avaya seem to be in the middle of a death spiral when it comes to the quality of service & support being offered on this product.









A Maintenance contract is essential, not a Luxury.
Do things on the cheap & it will cost you dear

 

[intrigrant]

I have no comment on the quality of the documentation, that is of a high standard and is of no discussion for me. The new help file was a bit of a deception but as the general documents DVD has it all then the helpfile is not really a issue for me.
Another great tool is the excel matrix, it has in a compact form all the info needed about a particular version, great.
Is there a 9.1 release yet?

 

[mkoker]

Second that, will there be a 9.1 Excel Matrix?

 

[IPGuru]

I have given a star to IPOfficeKB for asking for feedback form the right people (those who use the product) for a change

It would be great if Avaya would adopt this approach regularly.



A Maintenance contract is essential, not a Luxury.
Do things on the cheap & it will cost you dear

 

[Caps007]

will there be a 9.1 IPO Matrix?

 

[CarGoSki]

I use pdfs on laptop and smart phone and html for searching.
I like both. I dont use the IPO documentation download.

I really like how help is designed in manager app.
Bottom right help button gives contextual help for the current pages of variables.
Best in the industry. seriously

Server edition page help is anemic and should be more descriptive for the variables.