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.
Are you the lone tech writer? The decision may depend on your boss, your co-workers, and your budget!
Managing variants in FM is straightforward. FM is great for going to PDF. It provides very basic tools for going to HTML, but 3rd-party tools can do an excellent job. FM is also quite
good at handling images.
If your primary delivery mechanism is print or PDF, then FM is superior.
I warn you, though, that you will need time to learn FM. On the other hand, it will be time well-spent. FM has built-in features that can carry you forward into structured writing, single-sourcing, and other emerging technologies. I consider my investment of time and money in FM to be well worth it.
You will also find many people online that can help you with FM.
InDesign does not focus on the technical documentation area. If you are given the choice, choose FM.
Joe
Joe Malin
Technical Writer
(408)625-1623
jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com
www.tuvox.com
The views expressed in this document are those of the sender, and do not necessarily reflect those of TuVox, Inc.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 7:39 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Novice tech writer seeking advice on tools.
Hello everyone,
I'm new to this list and to tech writing as well. This is my first tech
writing job. The company makes software and I write the manuals.
I manage about 27 documents, of which 16 are variants of two basic
documents i.e. 95% of contents are the same. The manuals are small
averaging 120 pages with around 100 odd images. I'm using Word 2000 and
RoboHelp to produce MS Word, PDF and Windows HTML Help.
WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Easily create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to any popular Help file format or printed documentation. Learn more at http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot-