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Subject:Re: FrameMaker > Help > FrameMaker? From:jenny_berger -at- fairfieldresidential -dot- com To:wpsynek -at- datadesignservices -dot- com Date:Tue, 12 Aug 2003 15:55:01 -0500
X4 does work with Framemaker's MIF file type to create help files. The
issue, so far as I understand it, is that you also want an easy way to get
any updates to the help files back into the Frame source.
Well, as it stands there is no "easy" way. Perhaps the most painful method
would be to force all the developers to report an issue in their bug
tracking system (if they have one) for every update they make to the help
files, including the copied text of the affected paragraph and the page
number. Then, have them assign all the doc issues to you so you can copy
their changes and put it into the Frame source.
Of course, that probably isn't an option. So, if all you have to work with
is Framemaker and Robohelp, then you can:
1. Create your source document in Framemaker.
2. Save as MIF.
3. Use the MIF file to generate the help files in Robohelp.
4. Allow the developers to update the help files as necessary.
5. Use Robohelp's Printed Documentation feature to generate a Word doc
with all the updated content.
6. Import the Word doc into Framemaker, saving the file as a new draft or
overwriting the original source file.
7. Reformat and re-organize the Frame file as necessary.
Is this the only way to achieve what you want with what you have? No. But
it's fairly expedient given that your company is trying to make a
round-trip out of a one-way flight, in a manner of speaking. As someone
suggested earlier, it would be "easier" if you used Word instead of Frame,
because then you could just author everything in Robohelp from the start
and then just output to a printed document as necessary. But again, the
company has set the parameters for you. Given those parameters, I think
this is about as easy as it's going to get.
Have fun!
Jenny Berger
Technical Writer
Information Systems
Fairfield Residential
wpsynek -at- datadesignservices -dot- com
Sent by: bounce-techwr-l-115343 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
08/12/2003 02:53 PM
Please respond to wpsynek
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
cc:
Subject: Re: FrameMaker > Help > FrameMaker?
I've never had to use RoboHelp before but now have X4. Does this not work
well with FrameMaker to create help files?
