RE: Quark versus FrameMaker
I love Quark and InDesign, and learned to like PageMaker too back in the day, but these are desktop publishing applications. They are for creating layouts. FrameMaker, on the other hand, is a document management tool. It's better for authoring, in my view. Microsoft Word is a kind of hybrid that does 90% of things 90% well, and OpenOffice is a Java-based text editor that pretends to do layout and document management. Just my two cents on the stage of the authoring tools right now. --- "Holwell, Pat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > As noted, Quark is really a designing application and not really > meant for writing documentation. We tried using it in my > organization, but found that it couldn't handle large manuals very > well & it crashed everytime we tried to generate a TOC & Index, > > -- > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David > Creamer > Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 9:06 AM > To: framers@lists.frameusers.com > Subject: Re: Quark versus FrameMaker > > > I have a client who has just been acquired. They want me to rebrand > their > > technical documentation (currently in Word) to comply with their > new brand. I > > suggested FrameMaker, but they are pushing Quark. I alway thought > of Quark as > > more appropriate for designers that do brochures, etc. > > > > Has anyone used Quark for technical documentation? I would > appreciate any > > advice/feedback on using this tool to create technical > documentation. I guess > > what I am really looking for is information to sell them on > FrameMaker over > > Quark. > > > This was a questions I answered recently for Layers Magazine--it > concerns > InDesign and FrameMaker, but I will discuss QuarkXPress at the end: > > Q: I¹m trying to decide between InDesign and FrameMaker for producing > my > books. Any advice? > A: Both programs are very good for producing books, but generally, > InDesign > is better graphically, while FrameMaker is better in some specialized > (but > important) areas. For example, Frame has conditional text (hide/show > text), > multiple indices, more advanced XML support, track changes*, > cross-referencing**, document compare, built-in equation editor**, > cross-column headlines, and table footnotes. InDesign excels in the > graphics > area, including native Illustrator and Photoshop import with full > transparency support, built-in transparency and Photoshop-like > effects, the > standard Adobe pen tool, color management, multi-media support, and > better > PDF export. Features that are more-or-less equal include table > styles, > variables, numbered lists, anchored graphics, and overall text > formatting. I > should also mention that InDesign is cross-platform, while FrameMaker > not > available on the Mac. > > *Available in InDesign using InCopy > **Available in InDesign as third-party plug-in > > Comparing QuarkXPress to InDesign... > Quark's tables are very limited, it does not do numbered lists or > footnotes > natively, it's text formatting/editing is not as capable, and it does > not > have variables (or any of the above mentioned Frame features). > > This comparison is not meant to be complete. Feel free to contact me > if you > have any other questions about the three programs. > > David Creamer > I.D.E.A.S. - Results-Oriented Training > http://www.IDEAStraining.com > Adobe Certified Trainer & Expert in FrameMaker and InDesign > Authorized Quark Training Provider (since 1988) > > > ___ > > > 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/pat.holwell%40idearc.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/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how. http://overview.mail.yahoo.com/ ___ 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 administrati
Quark versus FrameMaker
I love Quark and InDesign, and learned to like PageMaker too back in the day, but these are desktop publishing applications. They are for creating layouts. FrameMaker, on the other hand, is a document management tool. It's better for authoring, in my view. Microsoft Word is a kind of hybrid that does 90% of things 90% well, and OpenOffice is a Java-based text editor that pretends to do layout and document management. Just my two cents on the stage of the authoring tools right now. --- "Holwell, Pat" wrote: > As noted, Quark is really a designing application and not really > meant for writing documentation. We tried using it in my > organization, but found that it couldn't handle large manuals very > well & it crashed everytime we tried to generate a TOC & Index, > > -- > > -Original Message- > From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com > [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of David > Creamer > Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 9:06 AM > To: framers at lists.frameusers.com > Subject: Re: Quark versus FrameMaker > > > I have a client who has just been acquired. They want me to rebrand > their > > technical documentation (currently in Word) to comply with their > new brand. I > > suggested FrameMaker, but they are pushing Quark. I alway thought > of Quark as > > more appropriate for designers that do brochures, etc. > > > > Has anyone used Quark for technical documentation? I would > appreciate any > > advice/feedback on using this tool to create technical > documentation. I guess > > what I am really looking for is information to sell them on > FrameMaker over > > Quark. > > > This was a questions I answered recently for Layers Magazine--it > concerns > InDesign and FrameMaker, but I will discuss QuarkXPress at the end: > > Q: I?m trying to decide between InDesign and FrameMaker for producing > my > books. Any advice? > A: Both programs are very good for producing books, but generally, > InDesign > is better graphically, while FrameMaker is better in some specialized > (but > important) areas. For example, Frame has conditional text (hide/show > text), > multiple indices, more advanced XML support, track changes*, > cross-referencing**, document compare, built-in equation editor**, > cross-column headlines, and table footnotes. InDesign excels in the > graphics > area, including native Illustrator and Photoshop import with full > transparency support, built-in transparency and Photoshop-like > effects, the > standard Adobe pen tool, color management, multi-media support, and > better > PDF export. Features that are more-or-less equal include table > styles, > variables, numbered lists, anchored graphics, and overall text > formatting. I > should also mention that InDesign is cross-platform, while FrameMaker > not > available on the Mac. > > *Available in InDesign using InCopy > **Available in InDesign as third-party plug-in > > Comparing QuarkXPress to InDesign... > Quark's tables are very limited, it does not do numbered lists or > footnotes > natively, it's text formatting/editing is not as capable, and it does > not > have variables (or any of the above mentioned Frame features). > > This comparison is not meant to be complete. Feel free to contact me > if you > have any other questions about the three programs. > > David Creamer > I.D.E.A.S. - Results-Oriented Training > http://www.IDEAStraining.com > Adobe Certified Trainer & Expert in FrameMaker and InDesign > Authorized Quark Training Provider (since 1988) > > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as pat.holwell at idearc.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/pat.holwell%40idearc.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as athloi at yahoo.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Be a better pen pal. Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how. http://overview.mail.yahoo.com/
Re: Flare v Webworks
WebWorks does many things well. It has three major downsides: 1. Price 2. Support is OK, but major issues get ignored 3. Documentation gets a 0 out of 10 Other than that, it has many positive interfaces: a very Macintosh-like intuitive interface, a sensible file layout, a lot of customizability, and so on. One question: do you really need to upgrade, or can you modify your old templates to do what new ones must? --- Pat Fortino <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Anyway, I just talked to Webworks about upgrading my Webworks Pro > 2003. First of all, they told me there is no upgrade path; I have to > pay full price again, $1900. And that's only for a specific named > user; each extra user is ONLY $900. Totally rediculous. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs ___ 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.
Flare v Webworks
WebWorks does many things well. It has three major downsides: 1. Price 2. Support is OK, but major issues get ignored 3. Documentation gets a 0 out of 10 Other than that, it has many positive interfaces: a very Macintosh-like intuitive interface, a sensible file layout, a lot of customizability, and so on. One question: do you really need to upgrade, or can you modify your old templates to do what new ones must? --- Pat Fortino wrote: > Anyway, I just talked to Webworks about upgrading my Webworks Pro > 2003. First of all, they told me there is no upgrade path; I have to > pay full price again, $1900. And that's only for a specific named > user; each extra user is ONLY $900. Totally rediculous. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
Re: OT: Send an email when a script finishes
Another option is to have it send a web request to a mailscript on the server of your choice. --- Scott Prentice <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Unless you're running a web server on the same machine, the easiest > way > would be to use some command line email utility. Do a Google search > on > "command line email" and you'll see lots of options. An open source > utility called Blat looks interesting. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
OT: Send an email when a script finishes
Another option is to have it send a web request to a mailscript on the server of your choice. --- Scott Prentice wrote: > Unless you're running a web server on the same machine, the easiest > way > would be to use some command line email utility. Do a Google search > on > "command line email" and you'll see lots of options. An open source > utility called Blat looks interesting. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
radical revamping of techpubs
This conversation needs to go to a general technical writing list, aka TCP or TECHWR-L, as someone mentioned. I did not realize until recently this was on framers and not techwr-l, and I'll be un-magnimonious and in part blame the interface to this yahoo mail. To any who I inconvenienced, I apologize. Let's move it along, and not bug people who are here to read about Framemaker only, which is an subset topic of technical writing that overlaps with other disciplines as well. --- Technical Writer wrote: > There are situations in which being a full-time employee is more > advantageous than being a contractor. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
This conversation needs to go to a general technical writing list, aka TCP or TECHWR-L, as someone mentioned. I did not realize until recently this was on framers and not techwr-l, and I'll be un-magnimonious and in part blame the interface to this yahoo mail. To any who I inconvenienced, I apologize. Let's move it along, and not bug people who are here to read about Framemaker only, which is an subset topic of technical writing that overlaps with other disciplines as well. --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > There are situations in which being a full-time employee is more > advantageous than being a contractor. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
To me it seems obvious that getting TWs involved in the whole of the process is a necessary step, as is (what someone else mentioned) getting TWs to write less-wordy, more immediately-parseable instructions. If agile development allows that, it could be fun and interesting. I'm leery of trends like agile or extreme programming because when you analyze them, they are largely a formalization of an ad hoc practice, and so don't apply anywhere. Too often I fear I'm buying into someone else's marketing, when there's a simpler route to the truth. --- Susan Modlin wrote: > I've been working in and with agile development groups as > a writer or doc manager since late in the last century. When I first > heard about agile, I thought it was the devil's spawn, but it hasn't > turned out that way at all. In my experience, a writer in a well-run > agile environment can be involved from day one of the first iteration > all the way through to delivery of a final product -- and not just > writing and rewriting the same stuff over and over again. In fact, I > find that I don't spend as much time > writing as I once did. However, as an integral part of the > development > organization, I have no shortage of interesting and impactful > (terrible > word) tasks on my plate. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: radical revamping of techpubs
To me it seems obvious that getting TWs involved in the whole of the process is a necessary step, as is (what someone else mentioned) getting TWs to write less-wordy, more immediately-parseable instructions. If agile development allows that, it could be fun and interesting. I'm leery of trends like agile or extreme programming because when you analyze them, they are largely a formalization of an ad hoc practice, and so don't apply anywhere. Too often I fear I'm buying into someone else's marketing, when there's a simpler route to the truth. --- Susan Modlin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I've been working in and with agile development groups as > a writer or doc manager since late in the last century. When I first > heard about agile, I thought it was the devil's spawn, but it hasn't > turned out that way at all. In my experience, a writer in a well-run > agile environment can be involved from day one of the first iteration > all the way through to delivery of a final product -- and not just > writing and rewriting the same stuff over and over again. In fact, I > find that I don't spend as much time > writing as I once did. However, as an integral part of the > development > organization, I have no shortage of interesting and impactful > (terrible > word) tasks on my plate. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
A product can have good design, and good programming, and still be inadequate for users. How can that be, you ask? Technically speaking, it may be doing what its creators think it should, and it may be well-created. It may be disorganized, and it may not address the user's needs, and that's where TWs come in. We are the only group who sees the application, from start to finish, from a user perspective. Therefore we are able to offer sanity checks: - This interface doesn't make sense. - Although the app is well-designed, in this context it becomes slow or crashes, and in our view, users will come this way often. - The task we're designing this for is too narrow/too broad. --- Technical Writer wrote: > Exactly. And that is in the province of the developer, the > programmers, and the GUI designers. Using TW to cover up poor design > and inadequate programming is not particularly useful for > anyone. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
A product can have good design, and good programming, and still be inadequate for users. How can that be, you ask? Technically speaking, it may be doing what its creators think it should, and it may be well-created. It may be disorganized, and it may not address the user's needs, and that's where TWs come in. We are the only group who sees the application, from start to finish, from a user perspective. Therefore we are able to offer sanity checks: - This interface doesn't make sense. - Although the app is well-designed, in this context it becomes slow or crashes, and in our view, users will come this way often. - The task we're designing this for is too narrow/too broad. --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Exactly. And that is in the province of the developer, the > programmers, and the GUI designers. Using TW to cover up poor design > and inadequate programming is not particularly useful for > anyone. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
This statement makes the most sense when considered in the light of how the technology industry has expanded. We now have many small roles contributing to a project or part of one, but what's missing is people who can glue it all together according to some consistent idea. Making the product work for the user is one such idea, and TWs are the best suited toward that role. Coincidentally, manuals are decreasing in importance as users know more about the technology. WTFM (write the fine manual) isn't going to cut it any more, and there's new ground to conquer. It'll be fun, honest. --- Rene Stephenson wrote: > Creating user assistance is indeed a necessary task, but it is only > one of many that TWs perform. User advocacy ? getting the user > expectations back up the chain into the ears of those who can impact > what the users end up getting ? is at least as important as the more > common task of user assistance. If all the user needs is assistance, > they'll just ring off the hook with tech support or customer service. > User advocacy ensures higher quality products that lower call volume > to tech support and customer service. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
radical revamping of techpubs
This is a good idea, and I'll try it. I end up attending most because in my little world, seeing the gestures and facial expressions can tell me a lot, but often most of that knowledge shouldn't go in the docs anyway :) --- Rene Stephenson wrote: > One workable solution is to let the TW teleconference into the > meeting, regardless of whether the TW is in cubicle or offsite. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
radical revamping of techpubs
As users become more technically savvy, they become less dependent on vague manuals and more interested in software with a smooth, intuitive, powerful interface and reliable function. See blog post on this issue: http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/2007/10/users-replacing-specialists-in-it-and.html --- Rene Stephenson wrote: > The involvement of TW/doc mgr early on is not initially > for writing the doc as muc as it is for user advocacy, sanity checks > of UIS or other specs from a user-driven perspective, as well as > getting buy-in and resource allocation far enough in advance that > creating a remotely usable document is at all feasible. The later > the TW is inserted into the process, the harder it is to create > anything better than basic functionally-driven documents. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
radical revamping of techpubs
For any project that size, won't it take some months for it to complete, as it will for the docs to be done, which means that the TW is first going to be assembling information and writing known parts of the doc, and then expanding to write as parts of the software become formalized? --- Technical Writer wrote: > I said that in an ambiguous, undefined software project > (which many, including multi-million dollar, tend to be), it is > pointless to create documentation of an application that may--and > probably will--change at the next iteration. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
radical revamping of techpubs
Luckily, that isn't all they do. Many are employed writing policies and procedures and internal business documentation. Any function that requires explaining concepts understood within a certain skill set that is a minority role in a company is a TW role. Personally, I find it hard to separate the different roles. A well-organized business produces a well-organized product, which can then be easily introduced to the user. If a TW is able to give that feedback during development, and make the product better, the doc gets simpler and bottom line goes up. This is why I see the role of TWs as expanding, not decreasing, in the future. --- Technical Writer wrote: > TWs complete a very necessary task; creating user assistance. Until > the final iteration, until all the requirements have been met, until > there is little or no possibility of changes to the end product, > there is little point in generating documentation that might become > obsolete at the next iteration. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
radical revamping of techpubs
One role I've found myself in is that of documentation manager, or the person who keeps track of business process, finds what must be organized, and then documents it and finds a sensible hierarchy for those docs, as well as varied delivery methods. It's a fun role. You get to see almost all that goes on, learn a lot, and don't have that unhealthy feeling of waiting around the periphery for an SME to decide to tell you something. They get to know you on a day-to-day basis instead. --- Leslie Schwartz wrote: > TWs and in particular the directors, managers are involved at these > stages. Documentation is a 100% necessary adjunct to business > development from the outset. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
This statement makes the most sense when considered in the light of how the technology industry has expanded. We now have many small roles contributing to a project or part of one, but what's missing is people who can glue it all together according to some consistent idea. Making the product work for the user is one such idea, and TWs are the best suited toward that role. Coincidentally, manuals are decreasing in importance as users know more about the technology. WTFM (write the fine manual) isn't going to cut it any more, and there's new ground to conquer. It'll be fun, honest. --- Rene Stephenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Creating user assistance is indeed a necessary task, but it is only > one of many that TWs perform. User advocacy getting the user > expectations back up the chain into the ears of those who can impact > what the users end up getting is at least as important as the more > common task of user assistance. If all the user needs is assistance, > they'll just ring off the hook with tech support or customer service. > User advocacy ensures higher quality products that lower call volume > to tech support and customer service. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
This is a good idea, and I'll try it. I end up attending most because in my little world, seeing the gestures and facial expressions can tell me a lot, but often most of that knowledge shouldn't go in the docs anyway :) --- Rene Stephenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > One workable solution is to let the TW teleconference into the > meeting, regardless of whether the TW is in cubicle or offsite. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
As users become more technically savvy, they become less dependent on vague manuals and more interested in software with a smooth, intuitive, powerful interface and reliable function. See blog post on this issue: http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/2007/10/users-replacing-specialists-in-it-and.html --- Rene Stephenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The involvement of TW/doc mgr early on is not initially > for writing the doc as muc as it is for user advocacy, sanity checks > of UIS or other specs from a user-driven perspective, as well as > getting buy-in and resource allocation far enough in advance that > creating a remotely usable document is at all feasible. The later > the TW is inserted into the process, the harder it is to create > anything better than basic functionally-driven documents. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
For any project that size, won't it take some months for it to complete, as it will for the docs to be done, which means that the TW is first going to be assembling information and writing known parts of the doc, and then expanding to write as parts of the software become formalized? --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I said that in an ambiguous, undefined software project > (which many, including multi-million dollar, tend to be), it is > pointless to create documentation of an application that may--and > probably will--change at the next iteration. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
Luckily, that isn't all they do. Many are employed writing policies and procedures and internal business documentation. Any function that requires explaining concepts understood within a certain skill set that is a minority role in a company is a TW role. Personally, I find it hard to separate the different roles. A well-organized business produces a well-organized product, which can then be easily introduced to the user. If a TW is able to give that feedback during development, and make the product better, the doc gets simpler and bottom line goes up. This is why I see the role of TWs as expanding, not decreasing, in the future. --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > TWs complete a very necessary task; creating user assistance. Until > the final iteration, until all the requirements have been met, until > there is little or no possibility of changes to the end product, > there is little point in generating documentation that might become > obsolete at the next iteration. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
One role I've found myself in is that of documentation manager, or the person who keeps track of business process, finds what must be organized, and then documents it and finds a sensible hierarchy for those docs, as well as varied delivery methods. It's a fun role. You get to see almost all that goes on, learn a lot, and don't have that unhealthy feeling of waiting around the periphery for an SME to decide to tell you something. They get to know you on a day-to-day basis instead. --- Leslie Schwartz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > TWs and in particular the directors, managers are involved at these > stages. Documentation is a 100% necessary adjunct to business > development from the outset. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
In my view, you're quite right. It's why I took on this career. By making users more powerful, we make technology evolve, and eliminate some of the techno-angst in the world. --- Kelly McDaniel wrote: > I consider the technical writer to be the ultimate advocate for the > user. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
In my view, you're quite right. It's why I took on this career. By making users more powerful, we make technology evolve, and eliminate some of the techno-angst in the world. --- Kelly McDaniel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I consider the technical writer to be the ultimate advocate for the > user. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
I like this idea, a lot. Instead of writing instructions out in a dry abstraction and passive voice, explain how the application should work from a user perspective. What a little gem of an idea. Thanks for posting it. --- Ben Hechter wrote: > In fact, Steve McConnell (Code > Complete) proposes early draft user guides as an agile replacement > for requirements specs. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
radical revamping of techpubs
You really hit the nail on the head. Meetings are brain-sapping enough when important information is actually being conveyed, but most people who are on the CC: list for meetings are being given a free hourlong zone-out. Keep the poor TWs out of the unnecessary meetings, or they'll become office shooters. Instead, put them to use in usability (currently dominated by glorified photoshop jockeys in too many places) or another capacity suited to their abilities. --- Leslie Schwartz wrote: > My view and experience is that it definitely helps to get the TW > involved early on, but it?s a waste of time for them to sit all the > way through each meeting, and for the entire duration of each > meeting. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
re: radical revamping of techpubs
I like this idea, a lot. Instead of writing instructions out in a dry abstraction and passive voice, explain how the application should work from a user perspective. What a little gem of an idea. Thanks for posting it. --- Ben Hechter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > In fact, Steve McConnell (Code > Complete) proposes early draft user guides as an agile replacement > for requirements specs. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
You really hit the nail on the head. Meetings are brain-sapping enough when important information is actually being conveyed, but most people who are on the CC: list for meetings are being given a free hourlong zone-out. Keep the poor TWs out of the unnecessary meetings, or they'll become office shooters. Instead, put them to use in usability (currently dominated by glorified photoshop jockeys in too many places) or another capacity suited to their abilities. --- Leslie Schwartz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > My view and experience is that it definitely helps to get the TW > involved early on, but its a waste of time for them to sit all the > way through each meeting, and for the entire duration of each > meeting. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
>From my experience, HTML-encoded email seems to screw up more than it helps. Stick to good ol 7-bit ASCII. --- John Hedtke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Actually, no, that's not the case, Gillian; Tekwryter's emails > directly to me have been well-formatted. I think this is more an > effect of the listserve software doing something unexpected. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
Re: radical revamping of techpubs
My inference is that hardware would not have been standardized without Microsoft or some other aggressive, unifying business entity. I've actually had good luck with PCs, but I've been a Mac user since 1984 and an Apple user for four years before that, a UNIX user about the same length of time, and have built my own machines for close to fifteen years now. Buy Intel motherboards :) and try again. --- Ron Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Your inference suggests that hardware would have stayed expensive > without Microsoft. I don't buy that. In my view, hardware would have > dropped regardless because the price of the components dropped over > time, completely independent from the PC's relationship to Microsoft. > > In fact, I would maintain that competition in the OS/Office > productivity space in the 90s would have eventually resulted in > making these items commodities, which would have reduced the overall > cost of ownership dramatically. Proof of this is the number of free > office productivity and operating systems that have developed in > today's more open environment. These products would have developed > sooner had Microsoft not been allowed to artificially control pricing > and the market. > > I would agree that there it would have created a more difficult > environment for us as tech writer to produce documentation, but I > have the feeling it would have worked itself out, just as it has with > browser-based help that works regardless of the operating system in > place. As for Apple, people continue to buy the product in spite of > its higher price because it isn't a one for one comparison. There is > a quality factor, ease of use and stability that I've yet to see > matched in a PC. And I speak as someone who is relatively recent Mac > owner, but has used PCs since 1985 > > Ron > > Ron Miller > Freelance Technology Writing Since 1988 > Contributing Editor, EContent Magazine > > email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > blog: http://byronmiller.typepad.com > web: http://www.ronsmiller.com > > Winner of the 2006 and 2007 Apex Award for Publication Excellence/ > Feature Writing > > > > On Oct 19, 2007, at 2:50 PM, Chris Borokowski wrote: > > > I'm somewhat thankful they did, as the result was a standardization > of > > hardware that allows $500 to buy a better quality machine than a > $1500 > > Macintosh or $2500 custom UNIX. Sometimes aggression in business > can > > produce very fortunate results for us little people. > > > > --- Ron Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > >> In my view, the only reason Windows has dominated personal > computing > >> is because Microsoft bullied hardware company into selling its > >> products. It told computer manufacturers throughout the 90s when > it > >> built its domination to either use only Windows or to have to pay > >> more for each copy if they didn't. > > > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ > > technical writing | consulting | development > > > > __ > > Do You Yahoo!? > > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > > http://mail.yahoo.com > > ___ > > > > > > 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/ > > ronsmiller%40comcast.net > > > > Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
My inference is that hardware would not have been standardized without Microsoft or some other aggressive, unifying business entity. I've actually had good luck with PCs, but I've been a Mac user since 1984 and an Apple user for four years before that, a UNIX user about the same length of time, and have built my own machines for close to fifteen years now. Buy Intel motherboards :) and try again. --- Ron Miller wrote: > Your inference suggests that hardware would have stayed expensive > without Microsoft. I don't buy that. In my view, hardware would have > dropped regardless because the price of the components dropped over > time, completely independent from the PC's relationship to Microsoft. > > In fact, I would maintain that competition in the OS/Office > productivity space in the 90s would have eventually resulted in > making these items commodities, which would have reduced the overall > cost of ownership dramatically. Proof of this is the number of free > office productivity and operating systems that have developed in > today's more open environment. These products would have developed > sooner had Microsoft not been allowed to artificially control pricing > and the market. > > I would agree that there it would have created a more difficult > environment for us as tech writer to produce documentation, but I > have the feeling it would have worked itself out, just as it has with > browser-based help that works regardless of the operating system in > place. As for Apple, people continue to buy the product in spite of > its higher price because it isn't a one for one comparison. There is > a quality factor, ease of use and stability that I've yet to see > matched in a PC. And I speak as someone who is relatively recent Mac > owner, but has used PCs since 1985 > > Ron > > Ron Miller > Freelance Technology Writing Since 1988 > Contributing Editor, EContent Magazine > > email: ronsmiller at ronsmiller.com > blog: http://byronmiller.typepad.com > web: http://www.ronsmiller.com > > Winner of the 2006 and 2007 Apex Award for Publication Excellence/ > Feature Writing > > > > On Oct 19, 2007, at 2:50 PM, Chris Borokowski wrote: > > > I'm somewhat thankful they did, as the result was a standardization > of > > hardware that allows $500 to buy a better quality machine than a > $1500 > > Macintosh or $2500 custom UNIX. Sometimes aggression in business > can > > produce very fortunate results for us little people. > > > > --- Ron Miller wrote: > > > >> In my view, the only reason Windows has dominated personal > computing > >> is because Microsoft bullied hardware company into selling its > >> products. It told computer manufacturers throughout the 90s when > it > >> built its domination to either use only Windows or to have to pay > >> more for each copy if they didn't. > > > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ > > technical writing | consulting | development > > > > __ > > Do You Yahoo!? > > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > > http://mail.yahoo.com > > ___ > > > > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as ronsmiller at comcast.net. > > > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > > or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/ > > ronsmiller%40comcast.net > > > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: radical revamping of techpubs
I'm somewhat thankful they did, as the result was a standardization of hardware that allows $500 to buy a better quality machine than a $1500 Macintosh or $2500 custom UNIX. Sometimes aggression in business can produce very fortunate results for us little people. --- Ron Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > In my view, the only reason Windows has dominated personal computing > is because Microsoft bullied hardware company into selling its > products. It told computer manufacturers throughout the 90s when it > built its domination to either use only Windows or to have to pay > more for each copy if they didn't. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
I'm somewhat thankful they did, as the result was a standardization of hardware that allows $500 to buy a better quality machine than a $1500 Macintosh or $2500 custom UNIX. Sometimes aggression in business can produce very fortunate results for us little people. --- Ron Miller wrote: > In my view, the only reason Windows has dominated personal computing > is because Microsoft bullied hardware company into selling its > products. It told computer manufacturers throughout the 90s when it > built its domination to either use only Windows or to have to pay > more for each copy if they didn't. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
No, I've known that for quite some time. It is built on BSD, hacked with Mach on a ton of libraries, and it's nowhere near as stable as BSD or as logically consistent. My primary reason for avoiding Apple is the company and, I almost forgot, the sanctimonious attitudes of its users ;) --- Neil Tubb <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Clearly Chris hasn't used a Mac since System 7...;-)...might be > interested to know that OSX is built on BSD! http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
No, I've known that for quite some time. It is built on BSD, hacked with Mach on a ton of libraries, and it's nowhere near as stable as BSD or as logically consistent. My primary reason for avoiding Apple is the company and, I almost forgot, the sanctimonious attitudes of its users ;) --- Neil Tubb wrote: > Clearly Chris hasn't used a Mac since System 7...;-)...might be > interested to know that OSX is built on BSD! http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
Most applications hover somewhere between excellent and crap. The ones that generate the mile-long grievances are crap, and the ones that people treasure (and hoard on their thumb drives) for a decade are excellent. --- "Flato, Gillian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I have seen enough bug reports in my time to know that quality is not > subjective. If the software generates a mile-long list of bugs > reported > by customers and QA people, the software application is crap. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
Most applications hover somewhere between excellent and crap. The ones that generate the mile-long grievances are crap, and the ones that people treasure (and hoard on their thumb drives) for a decade are excellent. --- "Flato, Gillian" wrote: > I have seen enough bug reports in my time to know that quality is not > subjective. If the software generates a mile-long list of bugs > reported > by customers and QA people, the software application is crap. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
Doesn't it depend on what the competition is? --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > And yet people still buy it. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
Doesn't it depend on what the competition is? --- Technical Writer wrote: > And yet people still buy it. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
Another way to say this might, the market is driven by perceived quality of product as a product. Microsoft Windows is not as stable as BSD, but it installs easily and lets the average user get up and running quickly while maintaining high backward compatibility. Is that higher quality, or lower quality? Not so clear. However, for the task at hand, defined by the purchasing audience, it is a more apt fit. I believe that the market is driven by image, including the marketing you mention, but part of that is a perception of quality as defined by the needs of the users. I'm sure that did nothing to simplify this debate. Feel free to flame me off-list for such blatant non-helpfulness. --- John Hedtke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > You're making an assumption that the market is driven by quality. It > is not, though that's certainly a factor. The market is driven even > more by good marketing. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
Another way to say this might, the market is driven by perceived quality of product as a product. Microsoft Windows is not as stable as BSD, but it installs easily and lets the average user get up and running quickly while maintaining high backward compatibility. Is that higher quality, or lower quality? Not so clear. However, for the task at hand, defined by the purchasing audience, it is a more apt fit. I believe that the market is driven by image, including the marketing you mention, but part of that is a perception of quality as defined by the needs of the users. I'm sure that did nothing to simplify this debate. Feel free to flame me off-list for such blatant non-helpfulness. --- John Hedtke wrote: > You're making an assumption that the market is driven by quality. It > is not, though that's certainly a factor. The market is driven even > more by good marketing. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: radical revamping of techpubs
I'm not sure the question here is one of quality as much as different purposes. If you want most stuff to install quickly and work the first time, want flexibility about what hardware you can use, and want compatibility with most people out there, Windows is a clear winner, and most users never see a blue screen of death. If you want a UNIX-like operating system that's free and gives you some flexibility of hardware, but don't mind fiddling with software and OS settings, Linux is a good choice. If you want a stable snazzy operating system, and want few hardware choices and don't care what it costs you or how often it breaks down, you pick Macintosh. I think there's an important lesson there for TWs. User profiles are generally a big time-waster when people make up users complete with names and histories. But recognizing the different general functions users want to fulfil, and as a result the choices they make, is really important. Not everyone wants the bulletproof operating system. If they did, we'd all run BSD ;) --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Quality is primarily a subjective opinion; witness the 90+% of the > population of the planet using Windows, despite the occasional Blue > Screen of Death, or necessary re-booting orre-installing required. > Similarly, whether a product is crap or not is again an opinion, not > an objective evaluation that can applied in all cases. The Debian > flavor of Linux is considered "the best" by some, and "the worst" by > some. The opinions are subjective. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
I'm not sure the question here is one of quality as much as different purposes. If you want most stuff to install quickly and work the first time, want flexibility about what hardware you can use, and want compatibility with most people out there, Windows is a clear winner, and most users never see a blue screen of death. If you want a UNIX-like operating system that's free and gives you some flexibility of hardware, but don't mind fiddling with software and OS settings, Linux is a good choice. If you want a stable snazzy operating system, and want few hardware choices and don't care what it costs you or how often it breaks down, you pick Macintosh. I think there's an important lesson there for TWs. User profiles are generally a big time-waster when people make up users complete with names and histories. But recognizing the different general functions users want to fulfil, and as a result the choices they make, is really important. Not everyone wants the bulletproof operating system. If they did, we'd all run BSD ;) --- Technical Writer wrote: > Quality is primarily a subjective opinion; witness the 90+% of the > population of the planet using Windows, despite the occasional Blue > Screen of Death, or necessary re-booting orre-installing required. > Similarly, whether a product is crap or not is again an opinion, not > an objective evaluation that can applied in all cases. The Debian > flavor of Linux is considered "the best" by some, and "the worst" by > some. The opinions are subjective. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: radical revamping of techpubs
I agree, and if there's one reason many people think technical writing has a bad name, it's this. The churned-out documentation where the writer is left with so little time and support they create a transcription of the obvious, with little informational content or sense of how they can make the users relax and understand the application on a power user level. Most of the documentation I read is so horrible it's beyond conception, but I think that this mentality of showing up late and churning out the manual, which I call WTFM, is at fault, not necessarily the writer. (I have to add that in many cases, people who are not writers are pressed into service as writers, and their dislike of that situation causes more problems than their level of talent and education for it.) --- Rene Stephenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > And that's exactly why so much of the documentation is > frustrating for the customer to use. You can't generate technically > correct content that is usable and well-planned and free of glaring > typos and grammatical errors when you are only given an average of 30 > minutes per page of output. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
I agree, and if there's one reason many people think technical writing has a bad name, it's this. The churned-out documentation where the writer is left with so little time and support they create a transcription of the obvious, with little informational content or sense of how they can make the users relax and understand the application on a power user level. Most of the documentation I read is so horrible it's beyond conception, but I think that this mentality of showing up late and churning out the manual, which I call WTFM, is at fault, not necessarily the writer. (I have to add that in many cases, people who are not writers are pressed into service as writers, and their dislike of that situation causes more problems than their level of talent and education for it.) --- Rene Stephenson wrote: > And that's exactly why so much of the documentation is > frustrating for the customer to use. You can't generate technically > correct content that is usable and well-planned and free of glaring > typos and grammatical errors when you are only given an average of 30 > minutes per page of output. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: radical revamping of techpubs
Bill's perception is quite correct, and I'm glad to see other agree. The best TWs I know are the ones who happily roll up their sleeves, dive into an unknown situation and get dirty. My mental image is of them parachuting from a plane far above the unknown, getting last minute shouted orders from a drill seargeant, then grabbing their laptops and parachutes and jumping. It's a lot like journalism (the first love in writing of many of us). You have no idea what the situation is. Someone will hand you a press release that tells you what one fraction of the equation wants you to think. You must dig, find the truth of how the situation functions, and put that down in the kind of description you'd use for a complex design. Right now, there's a massive convergence in technology because it all uses the same basic interface elements. Web2.0 software is all server based, but Web3.0 may be cloud-based, and in both cases, the basics of the interface, networking and remote software interface are well known. The old TW job would have been to describe these. The new one is to give the users power over the application and show them how to become power users. In other words, people are now familiar with the basics of the task, so we have to show them a power user method that quickly gets them up and running and dominating their most likely tasks. What we're doing now is what aftermarket books did in the 1980s and 1990s. In my view, technical writers should recognize that unless we adapt, we're going to become specialized contractors called in when the real work is done to write the manual (WTFM) and then skedaddle. What we could be doing instead is throughout the life of the product, studying how it interfaces with the user and making that process more facile. In this new role, we'd be part journalist, part communicator, part trainer, part project manager, and part interaction designer and user advocate. This is to the benefit of writers, as we get to spend the entire product development cycle getting to know it and get a more justifiably necessary and lasting role, and companies, as they get several roles in one. --- Rene Stephenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > HA! Quite true! TW's usually also bring an approach that is closer to > "green field" than the developers, engineers, etc., can provide. > Because they understand how THEY INTEND for it to function and be > used, they can be a bit myopic about how what they have CREATED > actually plays out. > > Rene > > Bill Swallow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I'd say that those are > additional skills. What I took Chris' remark to > mean is that writers should be there through the entire process, > involved with design, so not only do they influence the product > design > along with the other stakeholders, but also have a means of > thoroughly > planning the entire documentation effort as part of that product > development planning. Let's face it, most tech writers come at a > product from a different angle than an engineer or a tester. It may > not always be user focused, but it certainly is from a task-based > angle. "Is this thing going to be well thought out and therefore easy > to explain or is this going to be yet another 100 page install > procedure?" > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
Bill's perception is quite correct, and I'm glad to see other agree. The best TWs I know are the ones who happily roll up their sleeves, dive into an unknown situation and get dirty. My mental image is of them parachuting from a plane far above the unknown, getting last minute shouted orders from a drill seargeant, then grabbing their laptops and parachutes and jumping. It's a lot like journalism (the first love in writing of many of us). You have no idea what the situation is. Someone will hand you a press release that tells you what one fraction of the equation wants you to think. You must dig, find the truth of how the situation functions, and put that down in the kind of description you'd use for a complex design. Right now, there's a massive convergence in technology because it all uses the same basic interface elements. Web2.0 software is all server based, but Web3.0 may be cloud-based, and in both cases, the basics of the interface, networking and remote software interface are well known. The old TW job would have been to describe these. The new one is to give the users power over the application and show them how to become power users. In other words, people are now familiar with the basics of the task, so we have to show them a power user method that quickly gets them up and running and dominating their most likely tasks. What we're doing now is what aftermarket books did in the 1980s and 1990s. In my view, technical writers should recognize that unless we adapt, we're going to become specialized contractors called in when the real work is done to write the manual (WTFM) and then skedaddle. What we could be doing instead is throughout the life of the product, studying how it interfaces with the user and making that process more facile. In this new role, we'd be part journalist, part communicator, part trainer, part project manager, and part interaction designer and user advocate. This is to the benefit of writers, as we get to spend the entire product development cycle getting to know it and get a more justifiably necessary and lasting role, and companies, as they get several roles in one. --- Rene Stephenson wrote: > HA! Quite true! TW's usually also bring an approach that is closer to > "green field" than the developers, engineers, etc., can provide. > Because they understand how THEY INTEND for it to function and be > used, they can be a bit myopic about how what they have CREATED > actually plays out. > > Rene > > Bill Swallow wrote: I'd say that those are > additional skills. What I took Chris' remark to > mean is that writers should be there through the entire process, > involved with design, so not only do they influence the product > design > along with the other stakeholders, but also have a means of > thoroughly > planning the entire documentation effort as part of that product > development planning. Let's face it, most tech writers come at a > product from a different angle than an engineer or a tester. It may > not always be user focused, but it certainly is from a task-based > angle. "Is this thing going to be well thought out and therefore easy > to explain or is this going to be yet another 100 page install > procedure?" > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: radical revamping of techpubs
Most projects have some of this tendency as well, because very few products are based on completely known technology in both functional design and interaction design. Changes occur. Clients also demand changes sometimes randomly. In my experience, the average software company calls the TW when the product is nearing completion, with completion usually meaning "five minutes before the ship date," and asks them to WTFM. --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The "external documentation" recommended for XP and agile development > is fundamentally different than the documentation model used in > old-style waterfall design. Because the application itself is built > in an iterative process, rather than being carved in stone, reacting > to feedback from the client, documentation before the last minute is > pointless. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
Most projects have some of this tendency as well, because very few products are based on completely known technology in both functional design and interaction design. Changes occur. Clients also demand changes sometimes randomly. In my experience, the average software company calls the TW when the product is nearing completion, with completion usually meaning "five minutes before the ship date," and asks them to WTFM. --- Technical Writer wrote: > The "external documentation" recommended for XP and agile development > is fundamentally different than the documentation model used in > old-style waterfall design. Because the application itself is built > in an iterative process, rather than being carved in stone, reacting > to feedback from the client, documentation before the last minute is > pointless. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
RE: Radical revamping of techpubs
There's other problems with Linux, and this article says it all: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2197786,00.asp I am agnostic about Linux. It does some things well. It's not ready for the desktop because installation of the OS, and then software, is often a massive PITA. With Windows, it just works. That's what the end user wants. A few of them want Macs, but most people shy away from companies as erratic and expensive and often destructive as Apple. I think TWs are in a different bind: interfaces are standardizing. What was once rare knowledge, like using internet apps and protocols, is now standard knowledge. We're going to have to work harder to make ourselves more useful, and not just show up to WTFM at the end of a project. The sensible goal I think is to make ourselves into user interaction experts. We know how to explain stuff to users, so now we work the other end of the process and explain users to those who make the stuff. Yes, it may require more training, but these days if you want to be considered professional as a new worker, you need that graduate degree anyway. I've now said it a few times, so it's probably appropriate to sit back and wait for the next ten years until the truth of this becomes obvious. --- Technical Writer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Documentation is not used by the end-user because it is awkward, > poorly organized, and in many cases, indecipherable for a user > seeking task-accomplishment assistance. Linux is a primary example; > despite some of the most dedicated, motivated developers on the > planet, and droves of TWs spending endless amounts of time creating > "tutorials," introductions," and "documentation," (along with a > massive PR pitch by IBM a few years back), Linux languishes. Users > avoid it because it is "too difficult to learn." > > The underlying cause begs exploration, and is at the heart of > technical documentation; does the TW really want the witless user to > understand what the TW finds conceptually difficult? http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
Radical revamping of techpubs
There's other problems with Linux, and this article says it all: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2197786,00.asp I am agnostic about Linux. It does some things well. It's not ready for the desktop because installation of the OS, and then software, is often a massive PITA. With Windows, it just works. That's what the end user wants. A few of them want Macs, but most people shy away from companies as erratic and expensive and often destructive as Apple. I think TWs are in a different bind: interfaces are standardizing. What was once rare knowledge, like using internet apps and protocols, is now standard knowledge. We're going to have to work harder to make ourselves more useful, and not just show up to WTFM at the end of a project. The sensible goal I think is to make ourselves into user interaction experts. We know how to explain stuff to users, so now we work the other end of the process and explain users to those who make the stuff. Yes, it may require more training, but these days if you want to be considered professional as a new worker, you need that graduate degree anyway. I've now said it a few times, so it's probably appropriate to sit back and wait for the next ten years until the truth of this becomes obvious. --- Technical Writer wrote: > Documentation is not used by the end-user because it is awkward, > poorly organized, and in many cases, indecipherable for a user > seeking task-accomplishment assistance. Linux is a primary example; > despite some of the most dedicated, motivated developers on the > planet, and droves of TWs spending endless amounts of time creating > "tutorials," introductions," and "documentation," (along with a > massive PR pitch by IBM a few years back), Linux languishes. Users > avoid it because it is "too difficult to learn." > > The underlying cause begs exploration, and is at the heart of > technical documentation; does the TW really want the witless user to > understand what the TW finds conceptually difficult? http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: radical revamping of techpubs
What makes more sense in my mind is for technical writers to expand their role to the life-cycle of the product, from conception to maintenance, by investing in understanding interaction design/interface design, quality control and user advocacy positions. --- Ron Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > On Oct 11, 2007, at 10:23 AM, Technical Writer wrote: > > > > > The trend has been in that direction since the dotcom bust, when a > > > number of (formerly) highly paid developers found a comfortable job > > > writing help files more appealing than unemployment or stocking the > > > shelves at Wal-Mart. > > If they have writing skills, then they can make a living as a tech > writer, and more power to them, but just because they are technical > certainly doesn't mean they can write. > > > > > > While it is easy for technical writers to convince themselves of > > the value of what they do, the simple truth is that many users lack > > > the linguistic and cognitive sophistication to distinguish between > > > "good" writing and "mediocre" writing. > > > I'm sorry, but that's just a gross generalization and there's no way > > you could realistically back up the statement. > > > > > > > Similarly, it is easy for technical writers to believe they are > > documenting the software, when in fact they are only documenting > > the interface. The trend in development is to make the interface > > more intuitive, hence easier to use; if the interface requires > > extensive documentation about how to use it, it is a failure of > > design, not of documentation. That follows the way the overwhelming > > > majority of users actually interact with software--they start it > > up, click a few buttons, and generally try to figure out how it > > works. For a well-designed user interface, that should be enough to > > > get started. > > Should be, but for the majority of users in the world, it's not that > > simple. My experience is that you are making a huge mistake if you > assume your users have the same level of computer aptitude that you > and your colleagues have. Of course, it all depends on audience, but > > in a typical commercial software program, I believe you have to > document to the lowest common denominator and that means assuming > little or no computer skills. If you want proof of this, look not > further than Office 2007 with its radical interface redesign. In > theory, that means it should be easier to use, but in practice, you > have to learn where all the tools are after years of doing it another > > way. Without good training and documentation, the average user who > has been using Word with a menu bar/toolbar metaphor for umpteen > years is going to have a very rough go trying to find his/her way > around. Heck, I'm an experienced user and I find it maddening. > > > > > > The movement toward Extreme Programming and Agile Development is a > > > case in point; documentation is considered a waste of valuable > > developer time, and only needs to be slapped together in minimalist > > > form at the last minute. That is at odds with the "TW perspective" > > > of involvement during the entire development process (which is ONLY > > > appropriate for Waterfall, because everything else changes). > > > > > > I can't speak to this because I don't delve into programming and > development theory, but I can say that as a tech writer with 20 years > > experience, that one of my big value adds is acting as the voice of > the end user. Developing involves a series of choices often made in > haste, and often involving a number of people working separately on > different pieces. I've found that as a person looking at the entire > program, and carefully documenting how it works, I can act not only > as another QA piece, but also recognize inconsistencies and bad > choices and I can make suggestions for improving the program. If you > > bring me in at the end of the process, there is less time to react to > > these types of changes. If I'm involved from the beginning, I can act > > as another set of eyes. > > > > Because there is already a dichotomy between the GUI developers and > > > the "real" programmers, it is a small step to realize that the best > > > people to provide the minimalist documentation necessary to use the > > > interface are the developers of that interface. If the interface > > requires more than minimalist documentation, the core problem is > > the failure of the design, not a lack of technical writers. > > Minimalist documentation should be based on the remarks (in the > > code) of the developers, not a secondary understanding of a > > technical writer acting as a third party. > > Yea, in theory, maybe, but in reality, you can't know if the GUI is > dead easy to use, because you can't possibly assume you know the > computer aptitude of your entire customer base. In my ex
radical revamping of techpubs
What makes more sense in my mind is for technical writers to expand their role to the life-cycle of the product, from conception to maintenance, by investing in understanding interaction design/interface design, quality control and user advocacy positions. --- Ron Miller wrote: > > > > > On Oct 11, 2007, at 10:23 AM, Technical Writer wrote: > > > > > The trend has been in that direction since the dotcom bust, when a > > > number of (formerly) highly paid developers found a comfortable job > > > writing help files more appealing than unemployment or stocking the > > > shelves at Wal-Mart. > > If they have writing skills, then they can make a living as a tech > writer, and more power to them, but just because they are technical > certainly doesn't mean they can write. > > > > > > While it is easy for technical writers to convince themselves of > > the value of what they do, the simple truth is that many users lack > > > the linguistic and cognitive sophistication to distinguish between > > > "good" writing and "mediocre" writing. > > > I'm sorry, but that's just a gross generalization and there's no way > > you could realistically back up the statement. > > > > > > > Similarly, it is easy for technical writers to believe they are > > documenting the software, when in fact they are only documenting > > the interface. The trend in development is to make the interface > > more intuitive, hence easier to use; if the interface requires > > extensive documentation about how to use it, it is a failure of > > design, not of documentation. That follows the way the overwhelming > > > majority of users actually interact with software--they start it > > up, click a few buttons, and generally try to figure out how it > > works. For a well-designed user interface, that should be enough to > > > get started. > > Should be, but for the majority of users in the world, it's not that > > simple. My experience is that you are making a huge mistake if you > assume your users have the same level of computer aptitude that you > and your colleagues have. Of course, it all depends on audience, but > > in a typical commercial software program, I believe you have to > document to the lowest common denominator and that means assuming > little or no computer skills. If you want proof of this, look not > further than Office 2007 with its radical interface redesign. In > theory, that means it should be easier to use, but in practice, you > have to learn where all the tools are after years of doing it another > > way. Without good training and documentation, the average user who > has been using Word with a menu bar/toolbar metaphor for umpteen > years is going to have a very rough go trying to find his/her way > around. Heck, I'm an experienced user and I find it maddening. > > > > > > The movement toward Extreme Programming and Agile Development is a > > > case in point; documentation is considered a waste of valuable > > developer time, and only needs to be slapped together in minimalist > > > form at the last minute. That is at odds with the "TW perspective" > > > of involvement during the entire development process (which is ONLY > > > appropriate for Waterfall, because everything else changes). > > > > > > I can't speak to this because I don't delve into programming and > development theory, but I can say that as a tech writer with 20 years > > experience, that one of my big value adds is acting as the voice of > the end user. Developing involves a series of choices often made in > haste, and often involving a number of people working separately on > different pieces. I've found that as a person looking at the entire > program, and carefully documenting how it works, I can act not only > as another QA piece, but also recognize inconsistencies and bad > choices and I can make suggestions for improving the program. If you > > bring me in at the end of the process, there is less time to react to > > these types of changes. If I'm involved from the beginning, I can act > > as another set of eyes. > > > > Because there is already a dichotomy between the GUI developers and > > > the "real" programmers, it is a small step to realize that the best > > > people to provide the minimalist documentation necessary to use the > > > interface are the developers of that interface. If the interface > > requires more than minimalist documentation, the core problem is > > the failure of the design, not a lack of technical writers. > > Minimalist documentation should be based on the remarks (in the > > code) of the developers, not a secondary understanding of a > > technical writer acting as a third party. > > Yea, in theory, maybe, but in reality, you can't know if the GUI is > dead easy to use, because you can't possibly assume you know the > computer aptitude of your entire customer base. In my experience, > peopl
Re: Radical revamping of techpubs (aside to Chris Borokowski and Gillian Flato)
Hi, I've got an old favorite here, should work with Riesling. It's a bit of a more pragmatic family-style recipe. COQ AU RIESLING 2 sweet onions 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 chicken, cut and deboned 1/2 cup sifted flour 6 slices thick country bacon, diced 1 tablespoon plugra or other tasty butter 8-12 crimini mushrooms, quartered 1 stick celery, chopped 2 tbsp parsley 1/2 bottle medium dry white wine 1 cup cream or yogurt Coat chicken in salt, pepper and flour, then let dry for a few minutes near the warm stove. Brown the bacon in butter, then add garlic, and then onion, let simmer until soft. Remove bacon, garlic and onions, add chicken and brown in the juices. Add celery and mushrooms, cook for ten minutes, then pour in wine and cook for another ten to fifteen. Remove chicken. To the boiling sauce, add cream/yogurt (I prefer the latter), parsley, and black pepper to taste. Cook until it thickens to a saucelike demeanor. Return chicken to pan, heat and serve. * Some of this is from memory, and some from an illegible 3x5" card my mother passed down from her mother, who apparently was a whiz at this stuff. I'm just a weekend kitchen warrior, but I think the first technical writer in the family was the grandmother who wrote the original recipe :) --- Keith Smyth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hey Chris - got any good recipes for Coq Aau Riesling? I need one for > > our next Tech Pubs > conference on how to talk to programmers without using a baseball > bat. > > Gillian, I have a receipe for a dynamite pumklin pie. Let me know if > you > want it. > > Smitty > > -- > Keith L. Smyth > President > Smyth Consulting > --- > A good Technical Writer is one who can > talk to Engineers and SMEs for more than > five minutes without hitting them. > --- > Technical Documentation Consultant > > ___ > > > 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/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
Radical revamping of techpubs (aside to Chris Borokowski and Gillian Flato)
Hi, I've got an old favorite here, should work with Riesling. It's a bit of a more pragmatic family-style recipe. COQ AU RIESLING 2 sweet onions 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 chicken, cut and deboned 1/2 cup sifted flour 6 slices thick country bacon, diced 1 tablespoon plugra or other tasty butter 8-12 crimini mushrooms, quartered 1 stick celery, chopped 2 tbsp parsley 1/2 bottle medium dry white wine 1 cup cream or yogurt Coat chicken in salt, pepper and flour, then let dry for a few minutes near the warm stove. Brown the bacon in butter, then add garlic, and then onion, let simmer until soft. Remove bacon, garlic and onions, add chicken and brown in the juices. Add celery and mushrooms, cook for ten minutes, then pour in wine and cook for another ten to fifteen. Remove chicken. To the boiling sauce, add cream/yogurt (I prefer the latter), parsley, and black pepper to taste. Cook until it thickens to a saucelike demeanor. Return chicken to pan, heat and serve. * Some of this is from memory, and some from an illegible 3x5" card my mother passed down from her mother, who apparently was a whiz at this stuff. I'm just a weekend kitchen warrior, but I think the first technical writer in the family was the grandmother who wrote the original recipe :) --- Keith Smyth wrote: > Hey Chris - got any good recipes for Coq Aau Riesling? I need one for > > our next Tech Pubs > conference on how to talk to programmers without using a baseball > bat. > > Gillian, I have a receipe for a dynamite pumklin pie. Let me know if > you > want it. > > Smitty > > -- > Keith L. Smyth > President > Smyth Consulting > --- > A good Technical Writer is one who can > talk to Engineers and SMEs for more than > five minutes without hitting them. > --- > Technical Documentation Consultant > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as athloi at yahoo.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: radical revamping of techpubs
My prediction is that it will be a partial disaster, and then they'll hire a contractor to come clean up. Few companies are interested in keeping technical writers around full time, since they're only needed at the end of the design process. They want dual roles, such as project manager technical writers, developer technical writers and probably even technical writers who can cook to reduce catering costs. --- Susan Modlin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me -- at least as far as the > customer is concerned. Although the company might enjoy a short-term > savings, they'll pay for it in the longer term in increased support > costs (unless they off-shore that too) and customer dissatisfaction. > > ...Susan > > - Original Message > From: mulholland4 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: framers@lists.frameusers.com > Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 12:54:37 PM > Subject: radical revamping of techpubs > > > Hi, > I would like to see what the group thinks of this scenario for > writing > documentation within a company? > > 1. Remove all existing tech writing staff from techpubs. > 2. Replace these with software developers and specialists who know > the > software inside out and get them to write all of the documentation. > These > would now be known as Developer-techwriters. (It should be noted that > none > of these people has English as a first language, despite this being > the > primary market for the documentation.) > 3. Hire editing staff to edit only the language and grammar of the > documents > written by the software specialists. > > The reasoning behind this scenario is; that this saves money as the > developers know the software, and it is really cheap to get > university > students to come in and edit. > > I won't make comments on this just now as i'm sure there are many of > us > who > just want to run screaming! > > thanks > Mulholland > ___ > > > 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/smodlin%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > > > > > > > > > Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. > http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/ > ___ > > > 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/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small Business gives you all the tools to get online. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting ___ 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.
radical revamping of techpubs
My prediction is that it will be a partial disaster, and then they'll hire a contractor to come clean up. Few companies are interested in keeping technical writers around full time, since they're only needed at the end of the design process. They want dual roles, such as project manager technical writers, developer technical writers and probably even technical writers who can cook to reduce catering costs. --- Susan Modlin wrote: > Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me -- at least as far as the > customer is concerned. Although the company might enjoy a short-term > savings, they'll pay for it in the longer term in increased support > costs (unless they off-shore that too) and customer dissatisfaction. > > ...Susan > > - Original Message > From: mulholland4 > To: framers at lists.frameusers.com > Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 12:54:37 PM > Subject: radical revamping of techpubs > > > Hi, > I would like to see what the group thinks of this scenario for > writing > documentation within a company? > > 1. Remove all existing tech writing staff from techpubs. > 2. Replace these with software developers and specialists who know > the > software inside out and get them to write all of the documentation. > These > would now be known as Developer-techwriters. (It should be noted that > none > of these people has English as a first language, despite this being > the > primary market for the documentation.) > 3. Hire editing staff to edit only the language and grammar of the > documents > written by the software specialists. > > The reasoning behind this scenario is; that this saves money as the > developers know the software, and it is really cheap to get > university > students to come in and edit. > > I won't make comments on this just now as i'm sure there are many of > us > who > just want to run screaming! > > thanks > Mulholland > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as smodlin at yahoo.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/smodlin%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > > > > > > > > > Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. > http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/ > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as athloi at yahoo.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small Business gives you all the tools to get online. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting
Re: FrameMaker Console
Frank, Thank you for a patient reply. I did not originally differentiate between the SignOnScreen and SignOnMessage options, but now I do. It is a big help. cheers --- Frank Elmore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello Chris, > > FrameScript does not open the FrameMaker console window. FrameMaker > creates > it the first time a client or FrameMaker itself has a message to > present to > the user. If you turn off the message option in FrameScript, it won't > write > any messages to the console. However, some other client might do so. > FrameMaker usually writes messages when it does font substitution. > > Set the following options: > > [General] > SignonScreen=No > SignonMessage=No > > and FrameScript won't leave any messages at all (neither console or > splash > screen) at signon. > > Frank Elmore > Project leader for FrameScript > > - Original Message - > From: "Chris Borokowski" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Frank Elmore" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 5:07 PM > Subject: Re: FrameMaker Console > > > > Thanks, Frank! Is there a way to get FrameScript to stop opening > the > > console window when Framemaker starts? > > > > I really enjoy framescript, but having that window pop up can make > me > > batty for some reason. > > > > --- Frank Elmore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > >> The FrameScript option is > >> > >> SignonMessage=Yes or No > >> > >> under the [General] section > >> > >> The SignonScreen option is for the initial splash screen. > > > > > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ > > technical writing | consulting | development > > > > > > > > > > > Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with > Yahoo! > > FareChase. > > http://farechase.yahoo.com/ > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Check out the hottest 2008 models today at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html ___ 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.
FrameMaker Console
Frank, Thank you for a patient reply. I did not originally differentiate between the SignOnScreen and SignOnMessage options, but now I do. It is a big help. cheers --- Frank Elmore wrote: > Hello Chris, > > FrameScript does not open the FrameMaker console window. FrameMaker > creates > it the first time a client or FrameMaker itself has a message to > present to > the user. If you turn off the message option in FrameScript, it won't > write > any messages to the console. However, some other client might do so. > FrameMaker usually writes messages when it does font substitution. > > Set the following options: > > [General] > SignonScreen=No > SignonMessage=No > > and FrameScript won't leave any messages at all (neither console or > splash > screen) at signon. > > Frank Elmore > Project leader for FrameScript > > - Original Message - > From: "Chris Borokowski" > To: "Frank Elmore" ; > Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 5:07 PM > Subject: Re: FrameMaker Console > > > > Thanks, Frank! Is there a way to get FrameScript to stop opening > the > > console window when Framemaker starts? > > > > I really enjoy framescript, but having that window pop up can make > me > > batty for some reason. > > > > --- Frank Elmore wrote: > > > >> The FrameScript option is > >> > >> SignonMessage=Yes or No > >> > >> under the [General] section > >> > >> The SignonScreen option is for the initial splash screen. > > > > > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ > > technical writing | consulting | development > > > > > > > > > > > Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with > Yahoo! > > FareChase. > > http://farechase.yahoo.com/ > > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Check out the hottest 2008 models today at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html
Re: FrameMaker Console
Thanks, Frank! Is there a way to get FrameScript to stop opening the console window when Framemaker starts? I really enjoy framescript, but having that window pop up can make me batty for some reason. --- Frank Elmore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The FrameScript option is > > SignonMessage=Yes or No > > under the [General] section > > The SignonScreen option is for the initial splash screen. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/ ___ 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.
FrameMaker Console
Thanks, Frank! Is there a way to get FrameScript to stop opening the console window when Framemaker starts? I really enjoy framescript, but having that window pop up can make me batty for some reason. --- Frank Elmore wrote: > The FrameScript option is > > SignonMessage=Yes or No > > under the [General] section > > The SignonScreen option is for the initial splash screen. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/
Re: FrameMaker Console
[General] SignonScreen=No Is this the option in question? --- Frank Elmore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > You can turn off the FrameScript signon console messages by > unchecking a > box on the options screen or changing the value in fscript.ini file. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/ ___ 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.
FrameMaker Console
[General] SignonScreen=No Is this the option in question? --- Frank Elmore wrote: > You can turn off the FrameScript signon console messages by > unchecking a > box on the options screen or changing the value in fscript.ini file. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/
Re: Text Editor
Here's a link. It looks like a contender. http://scintilla.sourceforge.net/SciTE.html --- Shmuel Wolfson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > You could also try SciTE Text Editor. It's free open source, and > works > for many programming languages and HTML. It has lots of nice > features, > especially for a free program. You can mark all instances of a > certain > phrase and press F2 to go from one to the next. I use it as a regular > text editor as well for this feature alone. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC ___ 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.
Text Editor
Here's a link. It looks like a contender. http://scintilla.sourceforge.net/SciTE.html --- Shmuel Wolfson wrote: > You could also try SciTE Text Editor. It's free open source, and > works > for many programming languages and HTML. It has lots of nice > features, > especially for a free program. You can mark all instances of a > certain > phrase and press F2 to go from one to the next. I use it as a regular > text editor as well for this feature alone. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC
Re: batch processing of large numbers of text files?
EditPad is also a good contender: http://www.editpadlite.com/ --- David Spreadbury <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > One such option, for Windows users, is TextPad (www.textpad.com). > > Very useful when editing multiple ASCII files. I ue it to perform > operations across a complete folder of HTML files on a regular basis. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Got a little couch potato? Check out fun summer activities for kids. http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&cs=bz ___ 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.
batch processing of large numbers of text files?
EditPad is also a good contender: http://www.editpadlite.com/ --- David Spreadbury wrote: > One such option, for Windows users, is TextPad (www.textpad.com). > > Very useful when editing multiple ASCII files. I ue it to perform > operations across a complete folder of HTML files on a regular basis. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Got a little couch potato? Check out fun summer activities for kids. http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&cs=bz
Re: batch processing of large numbers of text files?
Stick with what you know. Go to www.activestate.com and download ActivePerl, which inherits much of its file processing behavior from awk and sed. http://www.activestate.com/ I can help with introductory questions. --- B Hechter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I don't know if this a proper topic for the list, but it takes me > back to my > UNIX days of using "sed" with great success (even for a > non-programmer like > me), to create a standard set of batch text processing instructions > that > could be applied consistently and repetitively to large numbers of > pattern-based plain text files. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/ ___ 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.
batch processing of large numbers of text files?
Stick with what you know. Go to www.activestate.com and download ActivePerl, which inherits much of its file processing behavior from awk and sed. http://www.activestate.com/ I can help with introductory questions. --- B Hechter wrote: > I don't know if this a proper topic for the list, but it takes me > back to my > UNIX days of using "sed" with great success (even for a > non-programmer like > me), to create a standard set of batch text processing instructions > that > could be applied consistently and repetitively to large numbers of > pattern-based plain text files. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/
Re: batch deleting backup files
In the shortcut, you might want to specify the "Start In" directory. You can do this by finding your batch file, right-clicking and selecting "Create Shortcut," then right-clicking on the Shortcut and filling in the "Start In" field with the desired target directory. --- Mike Wickham <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Even easier, put a shortcut to the batch file on your desktop or > >> elsewhere, and click on it to run it. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/___ 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.
batch deleting backup files
In the shortcut, you might want to specify the "Start In" directory. You can do this by finding your batch file, right-clicking and selecting "Create Shortcut," then right-clicking on the Shortcut and filling in the "Start In" field with the desired target directory. --- Mike Wickham wrote: > >> Even easier, put a shortcut to the batch file on your desktop or > >> elsewhere, and click on it to run it. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/
Re: deleting backup files
Using "del /s *.backup.*" will also work. The /S switch tells the command to recursively trawl directories for the matching files, and terminate them. --- rebecca officer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > If you have a tree of directories with archived files in them, I have > a > neat > little utility called sweep.com that executes a .bat or an .exe in > all > of > the directories in the tree. Free. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games. http://sims.yahoo.com/ ___ 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.
deleting backup files
Using "del /s *.backup.*" will also work. The /S switch tells the command to recursively trawl directories for the matching files, and terminate them. --- rebecca officer wrote: > If you have a tree of directories with archived files in them, I have > a > neat > little utility called sweep.com that executes a .bat or an .exe in > all > of > the directories in the tree. Free. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games. http://sims.yahoo.com/
RE: first impressions of FrameMaker 8
FM8 looks like a codebase update to me. They've built in the infrastructure they need for most new features that require interaction with deeper layers of the underlying code, and made the application competitive so it can be on par with the rest of their coming office tools suite. The future is where the more cosmetic changes belong, as well as bigger ones that build on the infrastructure enhancements we've seen already. --- "Ridder, Fred" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > And IMO FM8.0 includes several pretty major new features and > capabilities, although from your perspective it may be easy to > dismiss them as "it's about time" features or things that don't > matter to you. In addition to Unicode support, both revision tracking > and the improvements to conditional text (Boolean expressions > for show/hide settings and better indications for overlapping > conditions) are big features that would have involved a lot of > development and testing effort. Yes, many of us have been > asking for these features for years, but seeing Adobe investing > resources to actually implement them in an application that > all the tea-leaf readers were proclaiming as a dead product > 3 or 4 years ago is very heartening. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=graduation+gifts&cs=bz ___ 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.
first impressions of FrameMaker 8
FM8 looks like a codebase update to me. They've built in the infrastructure they need for most new features that require interaction with deeper layers of the underlying code, and made the application competitive so it can be on par with the rest of their coming office tools suite. The future is where the more cosmetic changes belong, as well as bigger ones that build on the infrastructure enhancements we've seen already. --- "Ridder, Fred" wrote: > And IMO FM8.0 includes several pretty major new features and > capabilities, although from your perspective it may be easy to > dismiss them as "it's about time" features or things that don't > matter to you. In addition to Unicode support, both revision tracking > and the improvements to conditional text (Boolean expressions > for show/hide settings and better indications for overlapping > conditions) are big features that would have involved a lot of > development and testing effort. Yes, many of us have been > asking for these features for years, but seeing Adobe investing > resources to actually implement them in an application that > all the tea-leaf readers were proclaiming as a dead product > 3 or 4 years ago is very heartening. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=graduation+gifts&cs=bz
Re: XRefs mysteriously converted to text
Thank you, Peter. This is a good tip that I hadn't implemented on this project. --- Peter Gold <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > If Edit > Undo fails to undo this kind of disaster, there's one > possible safety net that could save you. If File > Preferences > > General > Autosave is enabled, and it hasn't autosaved since the > convert-to-text action, the filename.auto.fm file may contain the > file's state before the action. Immediately use File > Open to open > the filename.auto.fm file and save it to a new name, then check the > x-refs. > > The only downside to working with auto-save always on is that saving > large files may suspend keyboard action briefly. Small price to pay > for insurance. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/ ___ 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.
XRefs mysteriously converted to text
Thank you, Peter. This is a good tip that I hadn't implemented on this project. --- Peter Gold wrote: > If Edit > Undo fails to undo this kind of disaster, there's one > possible safety net that could save you. If File > Preferences > > General > Autosave is enabled, and it hasn't autosaved since the > convert-to-text action, the filename.auto.fm file may contain the > file's state before the action. Immediately use File > Open to open > the filename.auto.fm file and save it to a new name, then check the > x-refs. > > The only downside to working with auto-save always on is that saving > large files may suspend keyboard action briefly. Small price to pay > for insurance. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool. http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/
Re: first impressions of FrameMaker 8
I've played with the pre-release beta, and now the demo, and my general assessment is positive. FrameMaker 8 is a base-of-platform release, meaning that Adobe threw in the basic features it's going to develop and augment in the 8-series line, mainly to bring it up to par with other Adobe software on the level of its internals and interoperability. This is very positive, and for those of us who remember the inevitably circular "Is Frame dead?" discussions from four months ago, a real boon. There will inevitably be patches, and most software of x.0 status isn't "ready" until x.1, but that's more the nature of software development than something specific to FrameMaker 8. --- Bodvar Bjorgvinsson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Lot of things here to support my suspicion that Adobe should have > waited a couple of months with this release. We will probably see > more > than a couple of patches soon. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Got a little couch potato? Check out fun summer activities for kids. http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&cs=bz ___ 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.
first impressions of FrameMaker 8
I've played with the pre-release beta, and now the demo, and my general assessment is positive. FrameMaker 8 is a base-of-platform release, meaning that Adobe threw in the basic features it's going to develop and augment in the 8-series line, mainly to bring it up to par with other Adobe software on the level of its internals and interoperability. This is very positive, and for those of us who remember the inevitably circular "Is Frame dead?" discussions from four months ago, a real boon. There will inevitably be patches, and most software of x.0 status isn't "ready" until x.1, but that's more the nature of software development than something specific to FrameMaker 8. --- Bodvar Bjorgvinsson wrote: > Lot of things here to support my suspicion that Adobe should have > waited a couple of months with this release. We will probably see > more > than a couple of patches soon. http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Got a little couch potato? Check out fun summer activities for kids. http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=summer+activities+for+kids&cs=bz
Re: XRefs mysteriously converted to text
If you promise not to hold it against me, I'll tell you. I managed to screw this one up this week. In the Xref dialog box, there's an option "Convert to Text" that brings up another dialog box, and if in that you select "Convert All to Text" every Xref in your document becomes boring, unclickable text. In a shocking but familiar display of hypocrisy, I "had been planning to" save a backup, so spent some hours reconstructing Xrefs blown away in a quarter of a second of inattention. My sympathies... (raises glass of green tea) --- "David Shaked (Wernick)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I already restored the XRefs, but does someone have an idea what may > have > caused the problem and how I can prevent it in the future? Is there a > known > FrameMaker 7.2 bug that converts XRefs to text? Is there a "Convert > all > XRefs to Text" command that I inadvertently activated? http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222 ___ 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.
XRefs mysteriously converted to text
If you promise not to hold it against me, I'll tell you. I managed to screw this one up this week. In the Xref dialog box, there's an option "Convert to Text" that brings up another dialog box, and if in that you select "Convert All to Text" every Xref in your document becomes boring, unclickable text. In a shocking but familiar display of hypocrisy, I "had been planning to" save a backup, so spent some hours reconstructing Xrefs blown away in a quarter of a second of inattention. My sympathies... (raises glass of green tea) --- "David Shaked (Wernick)" wrote: > I already restored the XRefs, but does someone have an idea what may > have > caused the problem and how I can prevent it in the future? Is there a > known > FrameMaker 7.2 bug that converts XRefs to text? Is there a "Convert > all > XRefs to Text" command that I inadvertently activated? http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222
Re: ePublisher question
First - http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/wwp-users/ Second - 1. Go into C:\Program Files\WebWorks\ePublisher Pro\Formats 2. Copy WebWorks Help 5.0 or other source format to a new directory. 3. Modify there according to instructions at webworks.com 4. Change C:\Program Files\WebWorks\ePublisher Pro\Formats\WebWorks Help 5.0\Transforms to reflect new themes --- Whites <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi Framers - > After a hiatus of a couple of years I have gotten back into doing > projects in FM/Quadralay. > First - can you suggest a good WebWorks user group? > Second - how does one create a brand new skin/theme in ePublisher? > I've tried to follow the rather convoluted description in the > ePublisher Help about alternative Targets and Formats directories, > but my customizations do not seem to be taking effect. > All suggestions welcomed. > Will White > > > > > > ++ > There is something fascinating about science. > One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture > out of such a trifling investment of fact. - Twain > ++ > > ___ > > > 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/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC ___ 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.
ePublisher question
First - http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/wwp-users/ Second - 1. Go into C:\Program Files\WebWorks\ePublisher Pro\Formats 2. Copy WebWorks Help 5.0 or other source format to a new directory. 3. Modify there according to instructions at webworks.com 4. Change C:\Program Files\WebWorks\ePublisher Pro\Formats\WebWorks Help 5.0\Transforms to reflect new themes --- Whites wrote: > Hi Framers - > After a hiatus of a couple of years I have gotten back into doing > projects in FM/Quadralay. > First - can you suggest a good WebWorks user group? > Second - how does one create a brand new skin/theme in ePublisher? > I've tried to follow the rather convoluted description in the > ePublisher Help about alternative Targets and Formats directories, > but my customizations do not seem to be taking effect. > All suggestions welcomed. > Will White > > > > > > ++ > There is something fascinating about science. > One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture > out of such a trifling investment of fact. - Twain > ++ > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as athloi at yahoo.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC
Re: OT: My Favorite Software
Please, keep the internet's longest-lasting and most tedious argument to yourself. --- Bill Briggs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Quick question, what would you do on > Windows if I asked you to produce the "exact" result > of 47^349 ? http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html ___ 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.
OT: My Favorite Software
Please, keep the internet's longest-lasting and most tedious argument to yourself. --- Bill Briggs wrote: > Quick question, what would you do on > Windows if I asked you to produce the "exact" result > of 47^349 ? http://technical-writing.dionysius.com/ technical writing | consulting | development Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html
Re: Regarding Framescript
http://www.frameexpert.com/tutorials/ This is Rick Quatro writing about FrameScript, so you can see his writing style and get a good introduction to the language. --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I tried writing my first > FrameScript script using just > the reference material shipped with the product and > failed miserably. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ ___ 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.
Regarding Framescript
http://www.frameexpert.com/tutorials/ This is Rick Quatro writing about FrameScript, so you can see his writing style and get a good introduction to the language. --- beverly_robinson at datacard.com wrote: > I tried writing my first > FrameScript script using just > the reference material shipped with the product and > failed miserably. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center. http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/
RE: FrameMaker.next
I was excited by the "social networking" package that is rumored to be part of Framemaker.next. In addition to translating output into PDF and XML, the new version will also automatically post it to your blog or Myspace. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=graduation+gifts&cs=bz ___ 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.
FrameMaker.next
I was excited by the "social networking" package that is rumored to be part of Framemaker.next. In addition to translating output into PDF and XML, the new version will also automatically post it to your blog or Myspace. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=graduation+gifts&cs=bz
Re: Adobe President and COO mentions FrameMaker
True, but what impressed me about that interview is how he mentions a strategy. Microsoft's strategy has been to move into home/business user applications across the board, and Adobe's seems to be to move into professional applications across the board, which means that Frame will be promoted much as Photoshop is: the right tool for the professionals who do the job that requires it. This will cause other users in turn to see it as a valuable skill, even if they still use Microsoft Word for writing letters, recipes, playing tic-tac-toe, etc. --- Art Campbell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Expecting customers to use the tool that's most > appropriate for the > job is kind of a stretch though. ;- ) User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/ ___ 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.
Adobe President and COO mentions FrameMaker
True, but what impressed me about that interview is how he mentions a strategy. Microsoft's strategy has been to move into home/business user applications across the board, and Adobe's seems to be to move into professional applications across the board, which means that Frame will be promoted much as Photoshop is: the right tool for the professionals who do the job that requires it. This will cause other users in turn to see it as a valuable skill, even if they still use Microsoft Word for writing letters, recipes, playing tic-tac-toe, etc. --- Art Campbell wrote: > Expecting customers to use the tool that's most > appropriate for the > job is kind of a stretch though. ;- ) User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/
Re: TW hiring qualifications
This reminds me of the certification debate a few months ago. I don't believe there is any single way to accurately predict whether someone will be a good technical writer. But, much like the SAT predicts general aptitude and the rest is up to you regarding college, a degree in any field requiring structured thinking and communication is good to see. I would look more at philosophy and literature majors, as well as people with experience writing in the lab sciences. They have the basic skill, and the rest is a matter of experience. --- Rene Stephenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I don't think anyone thinks that an English degree > alone means a person is qualified. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html ___ 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.
TW hiring qualifications
This reminds me of the certification debate a few months ago. I don't believe there is any single way to accurately predict whether someone will be a good technical writer. But, much like the SAT predicts general aptitude and the rest is up to you regarding college, a degree in any field requiring structured thinking and communication is good to see. I would look more at philosophy and literature majors, as well as people with experience writing in the lab sciences. They have the basic skill, and the rest is a matter of experience. --- Rene Stephenson wrote: > I don't think anyone thinks that an English degree > alone means a person is qualified. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html
Re: How many FM users are there?
My guess is that there are some exceptions to this. People who routinely try out software are good at reading online help and figuring out software even more complex (gasp!) than FrameMaker. This is not an endorsement of piracy, but were I Adobe, I might encourage this behavior, because people who become addicted to software, as soon as they're in a business environment which will pay for it, speak up loudly and clearly to request it. That is why Apple was so successful giving computers away at low or no cost to schools, and Microsoft was so successful with their student copies of Microsoft Office (on the path to world domination). --- Bodvar Bjorgvinsson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I guess not many are using illegal copies of FM. FM > is simply not a > kind of software that you can use powerfully on your > own without a lot > of learning and support. Which makes it awkward, to > say the least, to > use an illegal copy. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. http://videogames.yahoo.com/platform?platform=120121 ___ 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.
How many FM users are there?
My guess is that there are some exceptions to this. People who routinely try out software are good at reading online help and figuring out software even more complex (gasp!) than FrameMaker. This is not an endorsement of piracy, but were I Adobe, I might encourage this behavior, because people who become addicted to software, as soon as they're in a business environment which will pay for it, speak up loudly and clearly to request it. That is why Apple was so successful giving computers away at low or no cost to schools, and Microsoft was so successful with their student copies of Microsoft Office (on the path to world domination). --- Bodvar Bjorgvinsson wrote: > I guess not many are using illegal copies of FM. FM > is simply not a > kind of software that you can use powerfully on your > own without a lot > of learning and support. Which makes it awkward, to > say the least, to > use an illegal copy. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. http://videogames.yahoo.com/platform?platform=120121
Re: ASCII IN FRAMESCRIPT
A quick search reveals this function may help you: IntValue(variable-name) http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/framescript-users/message/4005 --- Michael Zaichenko <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi all, > does anyone know a way or a command to retrieve an > ASCII or HEX number of a > selected character with a framescript. > Thanks in advance > Michael > > _ > Log på MSN Messenger direkte på nettet: > http://webmessenger.msn.com > > ___ > > > 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/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and > info. > User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ___ 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.
ASCII IN FRAMESCRIPT
A quick search reveals this function may help you: IntValue(variable-name) http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/framescript-users/message/4005 --- Michael Zaichenko wrote: > Hi all, > does anyone know a way or a command to retrieve an > ASCII or HEX number of a > selected character with a framescript. > Thanks in advance > Michael > > _ > Log p? MSN Messenger direkte p? nettet: > http://webmessenger.msn.com > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as > athloi at yahoo.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit > http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/athloi%40yahoo.com > > Send administrative questions to > listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and > info. > User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
