All Microsoft packages are supplied with very basic tools for creating HTML output from documents, as are packages from many other manufacturers.

Advantages

1. These tools are part of the package, and are therefore freely available to all users, allowing rapid creation of content by those at all levels of ability. (But note the point below on staff training)
2. More generally, documents converted to HTML in this fashion can be integrated into an existing web site using standard HTML methods.
3. The HTML pages created in this way are usually very compact, and will therefore download to the user's browser very quickly.
4. No other software is required by the user to access these documents.
5. The documents can then be enhanced using HTML methods to add simple interactivity.

Disadvantages

1. The translations offered by these free packages tend to be rather poor. Not all features of the original document will be translated
2. The typographical power of basic HTML is very low. The layout of documents may change quite radically in the translation process. This is most clearly a problem when the source document is very graphic intensive.
3. The layout of the translated document will be affected by which browser the user is using to view the translated HTML.
4. Requires some training of content creators in the use of appropriate style sheets, graphics formats etc.
5. Long documents are not typically suited to simple translation processes, due to the need for internal navigation structures in HTML, to prevent too much use of scrolling. (See CU_HTML)

Advantages

1. The document will be exactly as you designed it
2. Allows the use of e-mail attachments to submit completed work, by adding to or editing the original document.
3. Eliminates any translation process, accelerating the process of making the document available onsite.

Disadvantages

1. The downloaded copies are not immune from alteration or re-use in contexts and locutions other than the intended ones.
2. The end user must have access to the software that was used to create the original document.

Advantages

1. The document will be exactly as you designed it
2. The materials can be viewed and printed, but not edited, ensuring integrity of the information at all points of access.
3. Once the files are downloaded, the user can access the information without a web connection.
4. The investment in time and work of the creator are more protected than using the other two methods.

Disadvantages

1. This method requires the use of specialist software to create the PDF files from any ordinary Windows application.
2. A special software package is needed at the point of use to allow the user to view the PDF files. (But this is freeware, and can be made available to all users from your site)
3. File sizes can be rather large, thus making download from your site time consuming.