Write Technology

Lacking in Flare

I've been trying to write this post for a week. I have mixed emotions about the whole thing. I'm uncomfortable with how I feel regarding Madcap Flare. Despite my earlier enthusiasm, I can't currently recommend that you run out and purchase this product. There's a caveat to this. I don't think you should run out and purchase RoboHelp either.

RoboHelp is in a state of limbo right now. We don't know what Adobe is going to do with the product. They may kill it completely. Alternatively, Adobe may resurrect RoboHelp so that it is better than ever.

If you must purchase a Help system, hold off until fall. At that point, perhaps we'll know more about RoboHelp's state. Fall, I believe, is also when Madcap will release Flare 2.0. While I can't encourage you to run out and purchase 1.1, I hope that 2.0 will offer significant improvements over the existing software.

Madcap Flare

About a month ago, I posted on my frustration with RoboHelp. After all, it's never a good sign when an entire development team disappears.

This development team re-materialized in the form of a new company called Madcap, with the flagship product of Flare. Madcap Flare could be the first serious challenger to the RoboHelp monopoly.

I downloaded the Sneak Peak and wasn't overly impressed. However, the sneak peek file is a pre-1.0 release and it is hobbled by its very sneak peekiness.

I had some questions regarding the maintenance, support, and so on and spoke with some members of the Sales Team. The Sales Team was very, well, sales team like. I got a hard sell. In the end, I ended up emailing with Mike Hamilton, VP of Product Mgmt. He answered my multiple questions patiently and over the course of a Saturday and Sunday. I simply can't express how impressed by am by this customer service.

Today I purchased Madcap Flare, although 1.0 is officially released tomorrow. I'll start developing with it in a week or two. From now on, unless a client specifically requests RoboHelp, I will most likely use Flare as my primary Help development tool. I suppose the future of Help, for me, is now.