[Framers] I'm pretty sure the answer is structured content

[Pat Christenson]

Russ:

"This is the quickest path to failure I can think of. All roads to success involve the long view and much investment. If you won't do this, nobody here can help you regardless any tools or technologies."

I have to disagree, Russ. Not every problem requires "much investment," and as for your statement that nobody here can help me regardless of tools or tech, two people have sent me ideas, both of which are workable, could be implemented immediately (or close to it), would cost nothing, and are better than what I have here now.

Pat

-----Original Message-----
From: Framers [mailto:framers-bounces+pat.christenson=morningstar.com at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of russ at weststreetconsulting.com
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 3:01 PM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: Re: [Framers] I'm pretty sure the answer is structured content

Pat, I'd like to assert that structured content is generally THE answer, period. Nothing interesting happens with unstructured content anymore, because the technology is decades old. Any technical writer in a high-demand environment should be using structured content. If you are not, you are now closer to the typewriter than you are to modern practices.

Having said that, DITA is but one option. Some find answers there, others do not. There are many ways to structure information and get significant benefits. Fortunately, you are already using FrameMaker which is a very flexible structured authoring tool. Take some time to investigate and see what it has to offer. You would be in much worse shape if you were using Word or similar.

Also, I have to comment on this one statement:

"I can't stress enough that right now, we need short-term solutions."

This is the quickest path to failure I can think of. All roads to success involve the long view and much investment. If you won't do this, nobody here can help you regardless any tools or technologies.

Russ


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