Framemaker quickstart

[neilson at windstream.net]

Deb asks:
> I will be using framemaker for the first time in an
> office setting.  Does anyone have a suggestion as to
> what resource could help me 'ramp up' on it before I
> start?

The crucial aspect to have in mind is whether you will
be using vanilla Framemaker or structured Framemaker.
Most of the neat tricks for making it behave don't apply
to the structured variety; instead other tricks are
needed. So make sure you are heading down the correct
path.

With structured Framemaker you'll need either a very wide
screen or a dual-monitor system so that you can see both
the page view and the structure view simultaneously. In
structured Framemaker, the order in which you can assemble
the elements of your document is predefined in ways that
do not always seem right. Also, splitting and joining of
elements, as well as wrapping and unwrapping, are concepts
that require you to bend your mind slightly.

I cannot speak for non-structured Framemaker, as I'm not
using it right now.

You will find some good info on Adobe web pages devoted to
Framemaker.

--Peter Neilson