Author-it vs WinHelp-based Tools

Because Author-it is topic-oriented, it is ideal for Windows Help projects. Author-it removes much of the complexity from producing a Windows Help file, intelligently automating most of the process.

If you're only producing Windows Help outputs, then there are many fine tools you can choose to work with. However, these tools don't share Author-it's object-oriented technology that allows you to reuse components of your document, and they don't have Author-it's powerful collaborative authoring features to let you share and control your team's work.

Multiple Output Formats

Windows Help-based tools also won't allow you to produce the range of output formats available when you use Author-it. If you think you may also need to produce professionally-presented printed documents, HTML Help files or cross-platform HTML sites, check carefully whether the tool you're considering can achieve that. Ask to see examples of each output format. Often you will be asked to buy a whole suite of software to achieve the same as Author-it can - and usually at a vastly greater cost.