Support needed!

[Gillian Flato]

Laura,

The simple argument is that Frame can do conditional text and Word cannot. Explain all of the benefits of conditional text, (and throw in variables, book files, etc).

I worked at a company 12 years ago where they did OEM software for Multiple Listing Services. They had 10 word files, one for each customer. I told them that in FrameMaker, I could have one file with 10 conditions, which was manageable. Trying to maintain 10 Word files with 80% identical content was not possible. They saw the logic and bought me Frame.

If people want to edit your files, create a PDF and enable it for commenting a review. Then all they need is the free Adobe Reader to make comments on it.

If they force you to go to Word, time to look for another job.

-Gillian

-----Original Message-----
From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of laura at lavadome.net
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 12:58 AM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: Support needed!

 Dear all

 Please tell me I'm not going mad or being unreasonable.

 Have just come into work to find that the company which acquired us a  few months ago wants me to use Powerpoint for creating datasheets  instead of InDesign (definite) and "a more flexible tool" (Word) instead  of our beloved Framemaker (proposed).

 I could cry. I am the only tech author in the company of about 100  people and the marketing department used PP for datasheets which they  say is "adequate" for the job. This all arose on Friday when someone  else needed to edit a version of my ID files when I was on holiday.  Now  I come in to find:

 "...For more technical documentation (e.g. product manuals) then I  understand the argument for use of a more specialist tool - but even  here we can use more flexible tools."

 Such as????? I have long user guides with masses of conditional text. 
 Just let Word have a shot at that. In fact, they were trying to do just  that before I started this job 4 years ago - and it wasn't working.

 Sorry to clog up the forum with this but I think of you all as friends  who feel the same way about FM as I do.

 How do I persuade them otherwise? In fact, it's just one person really  I think I need to convince - not in my office.

 I can just about cope with datasheets in PP but using anything other  than Frame for long user guides is unthinkable.

 L

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