What Flowchart Software Do You Use for Procedures and other Documentation?

[Marc]

I've used a bunch of flow chart programs. I usually just use powerpoint for what I do now - it's simple and all the office packages have it. Since I'm just doing examples - rather than actually doing systems per se, it's all I need. I think PowerPoint has become a curse on the world, though. But' that's another topic.

I've used Micrografx and SmartDraw most in the peecee world. I have two others flow chart programs on my PeeCee but can't remember their names - from working with clients some years back. To me Micrografx is a good program. The advantage I see to SmartDraw is they have collections of 'stuff', it all integrates with Office, and I've seen a client do one heck of an intranet system with it. Their company is a mix of MS stuff from Windows 95 to Windows 2000 - the same with the office programs - a mix of old and new. The IS guy gives people what they need and has it laid out very well - it all works. He stayed away from Visio because of price. It's a small company - maybe 130 people total. The IS guy is pretty darn good, actually.

[Sporty]

I have not used the other programs mentioned, and my choice is not based on price, but on how easy it is to use and attach files to my procedures.
I was just expressing my opinion, and certainly didn't expect the reaction I got!

Sporty,

What did you expect?

[Marc]

> but on how easy it is to use and attach files to my procedures.

Which explains, at least in part, why you chose it. I would bet for many people Visio is the 'program of choice' because that's what they got from the IS folks - they don't have a choice.

If you're offended by my asking you to say why you prefer Visio, or if you had used any of the programs listed, I think they are valid questions, but meant no offense. I don't like people 'knocking' programs without a reason, either.

If you are offended by my pointing out the original post and what the thread started out as, before cries of VISIO!, I also think that was legitimate. Jeff asked about the four programs and energy started the "...well, where's my program of choice?..." bit which didn't address what Jeff was asking about.

Sporty, you've been around here for a while now. You know darn well we 'soapbox' here so you shouldn't be offended by any of this.

Originally posted by Marc
> Jeff asked about the four programs and energy started the "...well, where's my program of choice?..." bit which didn't address what Jeff was asking about.

Sporty Sporty

There's always room in my dog house for another

Marc is absolutely right. I de-railed the thread with my Visio whining! He is also right about most of us using what the IS guy has. If I had given it some thought, I would have started a new thread called" If you could afford Visio, would you prefer it over other types of "Wannabees" programs?

Originally posted by Marc
> ...I don't like people 'knocking' programs without a reason, either....

Marc,

Point well taken, continuous learning!

[Marc]

My personal opinion is we're lucky to still have a choice when it comes to Flow Charting programs. MickeySoft bought Visio but still charges extra - it's not part of the regular 'Office' package. For those of you who remember, there used to be some real good presentation software. LTV's 'More' is one I can remember. MS eliminated almost all the competition, as they did with Explorer (re: to browsers) for all intents and purposes by including Explorer with their OS 'package', by including PowerPoint in the Standard Office package. The others were, in my opinion, much nicer. Easier to use. More functions, too. But - it's hard to compete with free.

Sporty, I apologise if I was short and pointed in my post. I'll join the group. Now - back to the topic.

[Sporty]

Thanks for making room in the doghouse for me energy!

I wasn't offended, just trying to give an opinion, never expecting it to go along like this.