Single Sourcing tools (Now Single Sourcing w/ Arbortext & FrameMaker)

[Butler, Darren J Ctr 584 CBSS/GBHAC]

On 5-Sep-07 @7:44:58 AM Darren J Butler wrote:
Thanx to Christine and everyone who has responded. If y'all (yes, I'm
Southern) have any more suggestions or reccomendations please keep'em
coming!

I'd also like to here from anyone doing Single Sourcing with Arbortext
and Framemaker. What are the tools, pros-n-cons, etc.
Blessings,
Darren
****************************************
Darren J. Butler
Sr. Technical Writer-Editor, Template Wrangler, Mil-Spec Pharisee
Integrated Data for Maintenance
NG Corp
-----Original Message-----
From:
techwr-l-bounces+darren.butler.ctr=robins.af.mil at lists.techwr-l.com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+darren.butler.ctr=robins.af.mil at lists.techwr-l.
com] On Behalf Of Christine Leisgen
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 4:59 AM
To: techwr-l at lists.techwr-l.com
Subject: Re: Single Sourcing tools 

Dear Darren,

I just evaluated HATs for my new job. I used RoboHelp for 6 years in my
old job. It was ok, but had problems with the Word export. You
definitely had to manually tweak the output, especially insert manual
pagebreaks. It might be better now (I used X4).

I decided to use Flare. AuthorIt was second in the list. The main
reasons were:
* I like the user interface and plain, logical concept. Also, the design
of the GUI is state-of-the-art and nice to look at :-)
* Plain XML format, (hopefully) easy to exchange with translators. No
need for expensive localization add-ons.

I could send you a more detailed comparison of Flare and AuthorIt from
my point of view, if you like.

I now use Flare for about 4 weeks now. I already set up my first help
and manual. It was relatively easy for me to set up the stylesheet
(probably because I am used to CSS). The print output in Word seems very
stable and the layout control, especially page breaks and tables, seems
to be excellent. Flare support (local dealer in Germany) and response to
bug reports is fast, friendly, and excellent, too.

(I have absolutely no affiliation with Madcap, I am just a happy user.)

Best regards, Christine
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as
Darren.Butler.ctr at robins.af.mil.

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe at lists.techwr-l.com
or visit
http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/darren.butler.ctr%40r
obins.af.mil


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

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