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Subject:FrameMaker vs. the competition From:Hiers James T Contr 419 FLTS/DOAN <james -dot- hiers -at- edwards -dot- af -dot- mil> To:"'TECHWR-L'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 20 Jan 2000 13:12:43 -0800
Our publications department is attempting to standardize under one, possibly
two, documentation programs, and I am on the committee to determine which
product we choose. We are government contractors with writers creating
end-user documentation, and editors formatting technical reports from
(poorly written) Word documents.
As a writer (and having spent several months creating the templates) I favor
FrameMaker, but the editors have special considerations due to the technical
reports:
* Importing or cut/paste from Word and Excel exclusively
* Ease of use -- company can't afford classes for everyone
Because of this we have discussed using one program for the writers (e.g.
FrameMaker) and one for the editors (i.e. Word 2000). The editors would
like to get away from Word because of its problems handling heavy
documentation.
Regardless of the program, all documentation will be converted to PDF for
storage and dissemination; the future involves more multi-media and web
documentation, so that is another consideration.
We have narrowed the selection down to three "biggies:" FrameMaker vs.
Ventura vs. Interleaf. I welcome any and all opinions.
Thanks in advance,
James T. Murphy Hiers
Technical Writer
419th FLTS/CTF
Computer Sciences Corporation
661-275-1022
