Hypertext Document Design Training Course

The Hypertext Document Design training course is a one-day study of the theory, techniques, and methods involved in good hypertext document design. This is not a graphical design course; it focuses on the importance of good information structures and writing techniques in Internet, intranet and Help documentation. The three most popular forms of hypertext, WinHelp, HTML Help and HTML, are based on identical fundamental principles, so the skills developed through this course are readily transferred to all types of online document development. The course is one day in duration.

What You Will Learn

Upon successful completion of this course, you will have gained practical knowledge of hypertext concepts and their application to procedure documents and technical writing. You will understand what makes a good online document, and how to plan, design and structure one.

Pre-Requisites

Before starting this course, you should have a basic knowledge of HTML or Help authoring. The course is principally intended for technical writers and content authors. The course is not specific to any Web or Help authoring tool.

Course Content

Technologies and Techniques

Hypertext Fundamentals
Browsers and Viewers
Web Servers

Document Design

Design Considerations
Document Design Issues
Development Issues
User Issues

Structuring Documents

Hypertext Document Structuring Process
Outlining Techniques
The 7 +/- 3 Rule
Mapping Hypertext

Presentation and Writing Style for Online Delivery

Technical Writing Techniques
Measuring Readability
Indexing vs Searching
Metrics
Graphical Design
Colours
Graphics

Project Control

Estimating
File Structure
Directory Management
Version Control
Specific Maintenance Considerations
Web Site Management

Standards and Rules

Why?
Public Standards
House Style
Internet Style Guide
References
Best Practice?

Online Publishing Models

Publishing Models
Single Source Documents
What Model to Use
Decision Tree
XML vs HTML vs HTML Help

To enquire about this course, e-mail Penny Bradley, or phone HyperWrite on +61 3 9803 8291.

Your Instructor

This training course is conducted by Tony Self.

Tony Self is recognised as one of the pioneers of hypertext and online documents. He has been involved in documentation and training for his entire career of 25 years. Over the past 18 of those years, Tony has worked specifically in the areas of online help systems, computer-based training, and electronic documents.

In addition to consulting, Tony lectures in technical communication at Swinburne University. He is the co-author of Swimming With the Tide, a Business Guide to the Internet. Tony is a Fellow of the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communication UK (ISTC), and holds a Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.