TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
::: Just as some shops still use Windows NT 4 and Word 97,
::: printers also can be highly resistant to change.
I haven't used NT 4 or seen it actively used for anything other than testing
since 2000. They can be resistant to change all they want. If they want my
money, they'll keep up with me.
::: The important thing is the speed, quality, and price of the
::: output. I know many printers who are not on the leading
::: edge of digital technology, but who do tremendous work that
::: always is on time and on budget.
Me too, but if they don't fit into my workflow, how does that help me?
::: If we do enough printing, we have the stroke to "encourage"
::: printers to bring in new technologies. If we only do the
::: occasional job, we may not be so influential.
This is why building a solid relationship with a vendor is so critical.
::: Preparing images for printing, so long as you can find a
::: "happy medium" in exchange formats that does not unduly
::: inconvenience you and thus add to your costs, should be an
::: easy enough thing to accomplish.
I have never had to prepare an image. I have published over 100 books, from
monochrome to full CMYK color.
::: "Passing by" an otherwise exceptional printer may be a very
::: costly mistake.
So might hindering your own workflow's evolution.
Bill Swallow
wswallow "at" nycap "dot" rr "dot" com
