Re: Frame vs. InDesign

Subject: Re: Frame vs. InDesign
From: "John Cook" <john -dot- cook -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 09:26:27 -0500

On 4/1/07, David Neeley <dbneeley -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> I have used both -- although obviously not the CS3 version as yet --
> and I like both of them. However, InDesign needs a great boost in its
> XML abilities for me to take it very seriously as a documentation app.
>
> I am also reluctant to embrace InDesign's great layout flexibility to
> tech writers who should be concentrating more on the content than the
> presentation through a major part of the process. (I have worked in
> marketing communications as well as in tech writing, so I have a bit
> of a foot in both worlds.)
>
> David

I used Frame 6 and 7 for nearly five years in a Medical Devices
environment for my vocation, and loved the power of the application.

I use InDesign CS2 to produce a free online space opera e-zine in my
'free time' (ping me offline for the address if you're interested).
InDesign is phenomenal for this sort of publication. It is powerful,
easy to use, and is gives me so many tools to meld text and graphic
elements together with the only limit being my own creativity.

I publish the magazine every two weeks, and started off in Word
(because I had to start /somewhere/). However, after two nearly 40
hour weeks wrestling with Word for issues One and Two, I picked up CS2
and learned enough of InDesign to make the transition on-the-fly
between issues Two and Three without the gentle reader being the
wiser.

As much as I love InDesign for producing the magazine, I would not
consider using it for the sort of long, text-based docs that Frame
handles so very well. I have no idea what the new CS3 flavor of
InDesign holds. Perhaps there will come a day when InDesign takes the
place of FrameMaker for technical documentation, but as of CS2, that
day has not yet arrived (imo, ymmv).
--
John Cook
Technical Writer / Help Author
john dot cook at gmail dot com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring,
Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help &amp; Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help &amp; Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


Follow-Ups:

References:
Re: Frame vs. InDesign: From: David Neeley

Previous by Author: Re: Actual Site Stats - Firefox 2 versus IE 7
Next by Author: Re: Frame vs. InDesign
Previous by Thread: Re: Frame vs. InDesign
Next by Thread: Re: Frame vs. InDesign


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads