> ...would you advise them to seek out positions > where they would be using FrameMaker, or would you tell them not to > worry so much on which application would be used, but instead focus on > the position and the work itself?
Mark, Position and work and more important, depending on what you mean. The key thing is that you know how to write clearly. The information should flow into the reader's brain without them taking any particular notice of the actual words or format. I understand that the tech writers at Microsoft use FrameMaker, which if true, should be a clue. (Maybe that's an urban legend, but I'd like to think it's true.) I started with Wang Word Processing, and have used WordPerfect, vi, XyWrite, Ventura Publisher, and FrameMaker. I like FrameMaker best, but the tool you use is not what makes you a good writer, how well you write is. Jim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Andy Kelsall Sent: 11 May 2006 16:40 To: Framers@frameusers.com Subject: Career advice--which application to focus on: FM or Word? Hello everyone, I would like some advice from anyone who has worked in the technical writing field for more than 3 years. My question is this: If you knew someone who was looking to enter the technical writing field at this time, would you advise them to seek out positions where they would be using FrameMaker, or would you tell them not to worry so much on which application would be used, but instead focus on the position and the work itself? The reason I ask is that on various listservs I subscribe to, it seems that most people are big FM advocates and are not too fond of Word. I've spent the last month trying to learn the basics of FM, and I can see why people choose FM over Word when it comes to serious technical writing. Granted, there is a steep learning curve, but it *is* a lot more versatile than Word. I'm moving away from a 17 year career as a technician and engineer in the telecom field and I want to make sure my first step into technical writing isn't a misstep. As a quick note, I have given the career change quite a bit of thought, and went as far as completing a technical writing program at Duke. Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks, Andy _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/mark.levitt%40betfai r.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ________________________________________________________________________ In order to protect our email recipients, Betfair use SkyScan from MessageLabs to scan all Incoming and Outgoing mail for viruses. ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/jlight%40pillardata. com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
