--What was your documentation situation? (How many product lines, how many publications, how much single-sourcing, how much translation?)
> I am a single writer documenting 8 products =~ 16 books and 10 or so online help systems, with a fair degree of text reuse, plus occasional contract manuals added in. --Why did you decide that it was time to switch to structured documentation? What kind of limit had you reached? > I did it so that I could single-source my online help. I was using a dead-end HAT tool. I now use a home-grown system that wouldn't be possible without the XML output from Framemaker. --What kinds of output do you create from structured FrameMaker? books and online help --Has structured FrameMaker made your work easier or more efficient? Has it improved the responsiveness or quality of your documentation? > I couldn't do what I do without it, both in terms of my online help process and text reuse. I think that even aside from the XML/reuse issue, structured frame fosters improved document quality. To do it right, you have to get your formatting and style under control - no rogue para and char formats etc. I also rely heavily on plugins from West Street Consulting and scripts that I've written with framescript to automate and manage my doc process. Structured frame gives a level of control that facilitates this automation process. As a practical matter, I developed my first EDD over a two month period and began converting books over the next couple of months, but I've been tweaking it ever since. Fred -- Fred Wersan Senior Technical Writer VT MAK 68 Moulton St. Cambridge, MA 02138 617-876-8085 x 124 VR-Vantage, MAK's 3D Visual Solution, is here! Find out how it can fit your simulation at VR-Vantage.com