As a documentation company, Wordscape has a lot of experience converting information into different formats. We now use this experience to provide dedicated document conversion services. It has become very popular, especially among companies that need to get information out on the Internet or distribute documents via email.

The most popular electronic data format is Adobe's portable document format, or PDF. Wordscape is able to create PDF files from a wide range of source files, so please just tell us your specific needs. Wordscape can even create a PDF version of your web site, allowing you to use the site as a proactive marketing tool instead of waiting for someone to come to the site. If you are not sure what documention format would be best to present your information, we have provided some helpful information below. If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us.

There are two primary electronic document formats that are widely supported and in use today: HTML and PDF. Both formats are ideal for posting information on your web site and allow information to be presented in a compact, cross-platform file format. A few notes about the various document types are discussed below.

Note: Wordscape also prepares information in all of the standard help formats including WinHelp, HTML Help, Web Help, etc. These services are discussed on our Online Help page.

HTML Documents

If you want to provide direct access to your documents on an Internet/Intranet server, HTML is still the best way to go. HTML is a text-based language that must be viewed in a web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. HTML is designed to present content, not style. For instance, HTML is a good format for presenting documents that contain standard paragraph structures, simple tables, and uncomplicated graphics. Graphics are only supported in .GIF and .JPG format. This makes HTML a good format for publishing text-based information, like annual reports and prospectus reports, but it is not good for showing design-based documents, such as marketing materials.

HTML files rely on hyperlinks and the browser's navigation buttons to let the user jump between topics. There are no page numbers in HTML. Each file is one page long, regardless of the amount of information on that page. Since HTML is not very structured, it is not the best choice for producing online manuals, booklets, or materials that the user may want to print. If you absolutely need the information in HTML format but do not want to sacrifice structure, consider preparing the information as an HTML help system. This provides advanced browsing features, including a hyperlinked topic index and document-wide searching.

As a rule, HTML is a good option for displaying information in situations where "the people come to you", such as on a web site or Intranet . If you need to send information to other people, PDF is a much better choice

PDF Documents

Like HTML, PDF files also support hyperlinks to let you jump between topics. But PDF documents are much more structured, like an electronic book. For example, if you convert a market analysis report to PDF and e-mail it across the ocean, when the recipient opens and prints the PDF file, they will have an exact copy of the document, including table of contents, page numbers, bar graphs, pie charts, and index.

When I see distributed PDF files on the web or as online manuals distributed with software I am amazed to see that all the facilities available with PDF remains unused. PDF is not just a format to distribute easily for printing it is a hyperlinked, interactive format in its own right, some people base there whole websites on PDF . If you want to see some of the features available within a pdf file such as bookmarks and links to the web and email programs contact me and I will send you some demonstration files. If you want to make your PDF documents more interactive, and therefore more useful to your readers contact me. I am sure we can find a way to do it.