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.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Connie Giordano
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 1:17 PM
To: 'Robert Lauriston'; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Adobe Technical Communications Suite
Remember that only a subset of people in this field work in software development. Many of us have absolutely no need for Help 2 or Eclipse support, because we're not supporting applications.
I agree that Illustrator and/or Photoshop would be excellent additions to the suite, but it's already out of my budget consideration. I chose to go the Creative Suite route, because I do a fair amount of web-based content, and because in almost 30 years in this business, I have never had a need or requirement for Framemaker. I simply couldn't justify the expenditure.
We all focus our skill sets and services in different directions, and it does NOT make any of us less or more professional or able writers and designers. Your needs are obviously different, so please don't take me to task because I don't use, and don't have a need for the same set of tools you use and need. You might want to make your suggestions to someone in product management at Adobe. Perhaps they need to look at a model that allows for multiple tool discounts in various combinations, rather that a strictly defined suite of tools that may or may not have all the pieces a particular professional needs. I would love to put together my own package!
MTC
Connie P. Giordano
The Right Words, LLC
Communications & Information Design
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+connie=therightwordz -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+connie=therightwordz -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Robert Lauriston
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 1:28 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Adobe Technical Communications Suite
I find it hard to believe that Adobe's product managers have ever spent much time talking with technical writers and documentation managers about our needs.
Help 2 is a requirement in certain development environments, I forget which (Visual Studio .NET?), but a company my old employer acquired had had to move some of their docs to it.
Same goes for Eclipse help. I switched my department from WebWorks to MIF2Go because it supported Eclipse.
On Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 9:27 AM, <rstone75 -at- kc -dot- rr -dot- com> wrote:
> Hi Robert
>
> I might agree with you that Illustrator is likely a better fit. But
> like
it or not, I notice that there are way too many folks that think Photoshop is the "end all" solution for images. Personally I disagree and feel it's like swatting a gnat using a bazooka, but my guess is that Adobe simply listened to what users are using and went with that as it seemed to offer what the multitudes are crying for.
>
> As for Help 2, I personally don't see that as being widely used. Maybe
> you
are using it, but I believe the vast majority of folks are interested in some form of Web based output such as WebHelp. But hey, we still see folks creating WinHelp!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Are you looking for one documentation tool that does it all? Author, build, test, and publish your Help files with just one easy-to-use tool.
Try the latest Doc-To-Help 2009 v3 risk-free for 30-days at: http://www.doctohelp.com/
Explore CAREER options and paths related to Technical Writing, learn to create SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS documents, and get tips on FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION best practices. Free at: http://www.ModernAnalyst.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as connie -at- therightwordz -dot- com -dot-
Are you looking for one documentation tool that does it all? Author,
build, test, and publish your Help files with just one easy-to-use tool.
Try the latest Doc-To-Help 2009 v3 risk-free for 30-days at: http://www.doctohelp.com/
Explore CAREER options and paths related to Technical Writing,
learn to create SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS documents, and
get tips on FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION best practices. Free at: http://www.ModernAnalyst.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as Jim -dot- Pinkham -at- voith -dot- com -dot-
Are you looking for one documentation tool that does it all? Author,
build, test, and publish your Help files with just one easy-to-use tool.
Try the latest Doc-To-Help 2009 v3 risk-free for 30-days at: http://www.doctohelp.com/
Explore CAREER options and paths related to Technical Writing,
learn to create SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS documents, and
get tips on FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION best practices. Free at: http://www.ModernAnalyst.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
