In 2001, I developed the original Help Authoring Tool (HAT) Matrix, which compared popular tools such as AuthorIT, Doc-To-Help, ForeHelp, and RoboHELP. Over the next five years, more tools were added (and some were removed, for various reasons: companies went out of business, others were bought out and stopped development, etc.).

In early 2006, I released an upgraded and updated version of the matrix, expanding it from a nine-page PDF (with approximately one tool per page) to a more detailed comparison chart organized into categories and features. But after I released it, I received requests to add more tools (from both vendors and users). (Several people were unhappy that I refused to add RoboHelp back to the matrix. I know how unhappy they were, because I received lots of emails about it ;-). Just one last time: I don't think anyone looking for a new tool should consider RoboHelp right *now*. When (or if) Adobe releases a new version, I'll let you know what I think.)

However, the matrix was already pushing its limits, and the table couldn't get any wider without causing layout and printing problems. And then Matthew Ellison asked me to present the session Choosing a HAT at the European Online Help Conference.

Now I have given presentations on this subject before, and included information on the different features themselves. But this time, I reworked the presentation to include the process itself. And during discussions with my husband, Jim Freeman, we designed a new—and greatly improved—HAT Matrix.

Instead of a static chart, we would use a customized database for the tool information. By using a combination of PHP, JavaScript, and forms, visitors would be able to publish different reports that list the tools with the features that were most important to them. By using a database, more tools could be added. And all this information would be available, for free, to anyone who wanted to research the tools that best met their needs.

The result of that discussion is HAT-Matrix.com, which will be available on 1 October 2006 (it's currently in "stealth" mode ;-) ). The logo, the website, the database, and the reports are currently in varying stages of development. (The logo is closest to being finished, and will be visible on the new site shortly.)

Currently, three reports have been designed: any tools with specific features, all tools with specific features (which could be a blank report), and up to four tools side-by-side. Therefore, once you know which features are most important to you and your team/company, you could run the "all tools" report to see which tools include all those features. You could then run a report to see which tools have other features that you are interested in. And you could run a side-by-side report once you've narrowed your selection to four or fewer tools.

Both the "any tools" and "all tools" reports can be printed for future reference. They also include links to vendor and tool pages within HAT-Matrix.com. The side-by-side report includes links to the tool page on HAT-Matrix.com.

In addition, registered users will be able to post tool reviews and comments. And the site will include a list of links to articles about the different HATs (and probably to conceptual information, too). Consultants* and trainers* can add their information to the database so that visitors can find them at the same time they research the HATs. (However, resellers won't be listed anywhere...the vendors are responsible for that aspect.)

Updates will be announced in a blog, which will include RSS feeds for those who want to know about the most recent news. (This will be dependent on the information we receive.)

We've already contacted the vendors* on the current HAT Matrix, many of whom have said that they want their tools listed. We'll be contacting others in the future, and they are welcome to contact us, too. We'll announce which vendors are listed within the next couple of weeks, once the blog is ready.

With the new HAT Matrix, we hope you find the tool that best meets your needs.

*Disclaimer: fees required. Contact us for more information.