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Re: What tool is Microsoft using for tech writing?
Subject:Re: What tool is Microsoft using for tech writing? From:claireconant -at- comcast -dot- net (Claire Conant) To:<WilliamFLawrence -at- eaton -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:38:31 +0000
In some areas, but not all. The group I'm consulting with (not contracting) insists on using Word. I'm getting around it by doing most of the manuscript and editing work in Frame, then transporting it to Word (through Notepad first) and then tagging the paragraphs and tables with styles. It's a bit tedious (tagging) and redundant, but I don't have Mif2Go, which outputs to word very nicely. Another alternative would be to save as .RTF and then apply my Word template.
My method is also a lot faster than dealing with Word's tantrums. As long as I deliver a final version to them in Word, they're happy.
Claire
-------------- Original message --------------
From: <WilliamFLawrence -at- eaton -dot- com>
> The MS Word question brought an interesting point to mind. Years ago I
> had the good fortune to speak with some Microsoft developers at a
> conference. They confided that Word's long document problems were
> architectural and not easily fixed. They further said that Microsoft
> didn't use Word in their own tech writing groups for that very reason.
>
>
>
> So, the question is: what tool is Microsoft currently using? If my
> memory is correct, at one point I think they were using Frame. However,
> I had also heard that they were looking at XML based solutions.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
>
> Bill
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
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