Development of cross-platform computer-based tutorials.

The development, distribution, and support of computer-based instruction in radiology is complicated by the fact that many radiology departments use computers with different operating systems: Macintosh and Windows. A program for developing cross-platform on-line documentation was adapted to develop a graphical hypertext tutorial that would run identically on both types of computers. A tutorial for interpreting ventilation-perfusion scans was created that would run on the Windows platform. The graphics were converted to Macintosh format, and the identical source information was recompiled to run on the Macintosh platform. It was found that the tutorial, with its hypertext, full-color graphics, graphical links, searching, user annotation, and bookmarks, could be displayed and operated identically between platforms. Cross-platform tutorials must be developed on a Windows-based computer but require only one source file for both Windows-based and Macintosh computers. These tutorials can be distributed free of charge, and minimal training is required for those who already know how to use Windows on-line help.