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.
RE: InDesign -opinions and long document template?
Subject:RE: InDesign -opinions and long document template? From:"Victoria Nuttle" <vnuttle -at- bridgeport-networks -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 21 Jan 2005 11:14:25 -0600
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Gold
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 9:51 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: InDesign -opinions and long document template?
> If you would post some specifics about your reasons for considering a
> move from Word to something else, I'm sure you'll get lots of useful
> and focused feedback.
We moved from Word because... well, it's Word. :)
Word was beginning to become problematic, and we really needed a
solution that allowed us version controls, the ability to go from a
single file (attempts at master documents proved to be a nightmare), and
frankly, no one was really that fond of Word. Those concerns are
addressed by moving to InDesign.
However, I'm finding that some of the functionality I thought we'd have
(and no, I did not get a chance to go in-depth and play around with a
trial version of the software, I should have and now regret it) like
better indexing, cross-referencing and conditional text, are things only
in Frame and not InDesign. I've used Frame before, and honestly do
think it would have been a better choice, but I fear the considerations
of price, the future of Frame and the attractiveness of the CS package
really made the decision.
For the documents we produce (for some pretty high-level software) I
really can see this tool turning into a "lipstick on a pig" situation,
and it's going to be harder to keep reviewers focused on making sure
information is accurate rather than the tint of blue that we should use
on page 23. As I see it now, InDesign will be great for making things
look pretty, but it's not making the information any easier to manage.
I really hope I prove myself wrong.
WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT - EDIT AND REVIEW, REDEFINED
Accelerate the document lifecycle with full online discussions and unique feedback-management capabilities. Unlimited, efficient reviews for Word
and FrameMaker authors. Live, online demo: http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Technical Communication Certificate online - Malaspina-University College, Canada. Online training in technical writing, software (FrameMaker, RoboHelp, Dreamweaver, Acrobat), document & web design, writing manuals, job search. www.pr.mala.bc.ca/tech_comm.htm for details.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
