SharePoint Architect’s Workspace & Thoughts on Microsoft’s Leadership, Today & Beyond

I have posted about a product called Madcap Flare and it seems to be a good tool together with SharePoint.

You should be able to import and export between various document and file types including non-Microsoft document types.

In summary:

Import Existing Content
Adobe® FrameMaker® (.fm, .mif, .book)
Microsoft® Word™
HTML/XHTML
RoboHelp® projects
HTML Help projects

Generate Multiple Outputs
Cross-browser, cross-platform Help (WebHelp or WebHelp Plus)
Microsoft® HTML Help (.chm)
Help for .NET applications or Windows® Vista (DotNet Help)
Adobe® FrameMaker® (.fm, .mif, .book)
Direct PDF
Microsoft® Word™ (.xml, .doc)
Direct XPS and DOCX
WebHelp AIR (Direct Adobe® AIR integration)

I am tempted to download a trial version of Madcap Flare and see if it works with SharePoint; but given that the product cost 899.00 USD, I don’t get excited to try it out.

But anyways, if any of you are thinking whether Madcap Flare and SharePoint is possible, below are things that might help you:

1. non-Microsoft file types are allowed in SharePoint provided they are not blocked by the administrator
2. For non-Microsoft file types to be searched, you need to install the corresponding iFilters for the specified application
3. To see a document icon for non-Microsoft file types, refer to this link
4. To correctly view documents in the explorer, install this hotfix.
5. Document versioning can still be enabled even with non-Microsoft file types.

Sources from eggheadcafe and techwr-l.