Re: FLASH: Survey - Should Flash 5 use a browser-based help system?

[David Mendels]

Michael,


This is bizarre.  You posted this on a Director list and several of our 

folks (Jake, James, etc) explained to you that there were a lot of 

fundamental errors in it, and you still posted to the Flash list with those 

errors.  Why?


1. You write "[Macromedia]in fact, plans to extend this approach to its 

other products."  Where did you get this? We do not have specific plans to 

extend browser based help to other products that don't have it now (some 

product teams may do that, some many not, but Macromedia does not have a 

plan in this regard.)  And as Jake and James told you on the Director list, 

Director for example will NOT have a browser based help system in its next 

release.


2.  You write: "Macromedia tells me that they are moving all their applications

to browser-based help because "everything we do must be cross platform

without exception".  This is also not true and you were told that several 

times.  That *was* *one* reason at one point in time that browser-based 

help was considered, but it is not a driving issue at present.  James on 

the Director list gave you some of the history and rationale for it 

already, so I don't see why you continue to post this.  Please don't make 

pronouncements about what "Macromedia told you" that are untrue.  We are 

here on this list and can make our own announcements.


3. If you don't like browser-based help, the right thing to do is just let 

the teams know via

wish-flashmacromedia [dot] com

,

wish-fireworksmacromedia [dot] com

,

wish-freehandmacromedia [dot] com

,

wish-dreamweavermacromedia [dot] com

 (etc...for the rest of products).  Some 

people like it, some don't.  I am not a big fan of it myself, but I think 

the pros outweigh the cons in most cases.  As many know the Director users 

lets us know via the wish list and the Director 7 beta program that they 

did not prefer the browser-based help system and Macromedia responded by 

removing it and replacing it with a non-browser help engine.


Regards,


David

Macromedia



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