March 2006
March 14, 2006 Meeting
Introduction to Flare. Or,
The RoboHelp Saga, What Actually Happened?
Get the scoop on the new MadCap Software's Flare help authoring tool first-hand. In a three-part presentation, Mike Hamilton, VP Product Management, MadCap Software, will cover the journey from Blue Sky Software to Macromedia to MadCap, what happened to the creators, and a discussion of help authoring now and in the future.
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Get the scoop on what happened with RoboHelp in its journey from Blue Sky Software to eHelp to Macromedia. After 14 years of success, what is the fate of RoboHelp? This presentation shares dates and occurrences to help put the rumors to rest.
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Explore what happened to the core talent who created and nurtured RoboHelp. Where have they gone? What are they doing?
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Discuss future directions in help authoring including technologies such as Microsoft’s new Vista Help and the new tool from MadCap Software -- Flare, a new XML-based authoring tool which empowers technical writers, Help authors, and other documentation professionals to compose content in XML format without requiring any XML language or XML programming knowledge. MadCap Flare features a unique visual editor allowing users to compose content similar to how they would in Microsoft® Word™. We will discuss the capabilities of Flare and then do a live demonstration to include the import and conversion of existing RoboHelp content.
About our speaker
Mike Hamilton is the Vice-President of Product Management at MadCap Software where he is working on the next generation authoring tool, Flare. Before joining MadCap Software, Mike was the RoboHelp Product Manager for product line starting with Blue Sky Software, through eHelp, and Macromedia. Mike joined the RoboHelp team in 1999 as a founding member of the Training Solutions Program team, where he co-authored the certified training materials supporting the RoboHelp family. Mr. Hamilton has over ten years of experience in training, technical communication, multimedia development, and software development at several organizations including Macromedia, Blue Sky Software/eHelp, Cymer (a leading supplier of laser illumination sources to the semiconductor industry), National Steel Shipbuilding, and the US Navy.
Dinner and Reservation Information
Networking – 5:30 PM Dinner – 6:00 PM Program –
Location:
Exit
Entrees: Herb-Crusted Roast Salmon or Stuffed Baked Chicken Breast. Vegetarian option is Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells. Meal includes garden salad, rolls, coffee, iced tea, & dessert.
Cost: Dinner and Program:
$20 – Members; $25 – Nonmembers; $15 – Student members
Pay by check or cash at the door. Pay by credit card with the online registration form only. Includes dinner, tax, tip, and program. Note: $5 charge for late dinner reservations.
Program Only (includes dessert): $10 for all members, student members and nonmembers
RSVP: Please RSVP with your dinner selection no later than
Location map: MapQuest