[Framers] How do you identify an advanced Framemaker user?

Tue Apr 17 06:53:07 PDT 2018

I don't think I've got any "advanced Frame" ideas to add, but Bernard, your
Word list example made me chuckle.
-Lise

On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 8:37 AM, Bernard Aschwanden <
bernard at publishingsmarter.com> wrote:

> Lin: Consider making a list of why Word annoys you and share it with others
> internally or on the list here.
>
> For example:
>
> 1. Numbering
>    a. Restarting and continuing lists
>    b. Subordinate lists
> 4. Resetting numbering
>    c. within lists
>    d. between lists
> 5. Just get me FM
>
>
>
>
> As for Advanced Users: First off, is it an advanced user who creates
> content
> as an author or one who builds templates? Or even one who has to work with
> structure and build/maintain the EDD?
>
> In all cases, a few things to think about or ask them about:
>
> Do they know about this discussion list?
> How long have they used FM?
> Can they define what a reference page, master page, and body page is and
> does?
> Do they know what text frames and text lines are?
> Do they import images by reference?
> Can they troubleshoot numbering (see the above sample)?
> How do they manage paragraph or character tags?
> Can they import formats between documents?
> How do they propose to deal with a document that has manual overrides in
> it?
> Can they generate a book, TOC, and IX file from templates without guidance?
> Is there something that YOU learn from them about the tool?
> How did they learn FM?
>
> That's a short list from me. Oh, and add in this one: Have them teach you a
> feature (even if you know it) and see what their workflow is.
>
> Bernard
>
> PS. I also used to ask for a cover letter and resume in FM format. Serious
> users provided me with a way to gauge how they use the tool for a document
> that may have unique challenges. I got to see their approach to tags, empty
> paragraphs, watermarks, variables, or whatever else they felt like putting
> into it. A great insight.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Framers
> [mailto:framers-bounces+bernard=publishingsmarter.com at lists.frameusers.com
> ]
> On Behalf Of Lin Sims
> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2018 9:27 AM
> To: An email list for people using Adobe FrameMaker software.
> Subject: Re: [Framers] How do you identify an advanced Framemaker user?
>
> That's WORD users who do that!
>
> (Finally back in the workforce, currently using Word because until
> yesterday I was a contractor, not an employee. Hoping they get me Frame
> soon, because Word is driving me right up a tree.)
>
> On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 11:29 AM, Art Campbell <art.campbell at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Advanced FM users usually have kind of a 1000 yard stare...
> > And may have little square marks on their faces from banging their heads
> on
> > the keyboard.
> >
> >
> > Art Campbell
> >           art.campbell at gmail.com
> >   "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent
> and
> > a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson
> >                                                       No disclaimers
> apply.
> >                                                                DoD 358
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 10:36 AM, Robert Lauriston <robert at lauriston.com
> >
> > wrote:
> >
> > > If I had a badly maintained FrameMaker book with a lot of cruft on the
> > > reference pages, inconsistent styles, and so on, I'd ask them to
> > > identify problems and say how they'd clean them up.
> > >
> > > I'd ask to see one or more templates they'd created and have them
> > > detail the process of creating a new book from them.
> > >
> > > Actually, the first thing I'd suggest would be to consider whether
> > > it's time to move on from FrameMaker.
> > >
> > > On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 9:31 AM, Carol J. Elkins
> > > <celkins at awrittenword.com> wrote:
> > > > Over the next couple of years, I need to help my major client find
> and
> > > train
> > > > an in-house replacement for me as I wind down my freelance practice.
> > They
> > > > will not consider an independent contractor next time, so it may be
> > > harder
> > > > to recruit and identify someone with the required skills. I've built
> 20
> > > > years of documentation for this client in unstructured Framemaker,
> and
> > > > managing these thousands of documents and books depends less on
> someone
> > > > being a good technical writer than being an excellent Framemaker
> user.
> > > >
> > > > For those of you who are corporate employers, I'd like to know how
> you
> > > > screen candidates to identify those who truly are advanced Framemaker
> > > users.
> > > > Is there a test you employ? Do you ask them to build a template from
> > > > scratch? Are there certifications that you require? Do you use a
> > > recruiting
> > > > service? How would you locate qualified candidates (in addition to
> > > posting
> > > > to Frameusers)?
> > > >
> > > > Note that I am NOT recruiting; that is still a few years down the
> road
> > > 8-).
> > > > I just need to start thinking about the best way to replace myself.
> My
> > > > long-time designated backup is also planning to retire in the next
> > > couple of
> > > > years, so I have to start again to find the best person for my job. I
> > am
> > > > willing to train them how to do my job, but it requires their already
> > > being
> > > > a master of Framemaker.
> > > _______________________________________________
> > >
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> >
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>
>
> --
> Lin Sims
> _______________________________________________
>
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>
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