[Framers] FrameMaker User Groups WAS: Framers Digest, Vol 169, Issue 8

[Craig Ede]

I remember giving a presentation on auto-numbering paragraphs (including different head levels, figures, tables, etc. in a single numbering system) to one of these User Groups at Medtronic in Minneapolis back in the 90s. That group had folks from the airline as well as medical device industries as well as others.

Rolling along partway into the presentation I had someone from a rather substantial audience say "Wait a minute!" and then point out an error in my method. I turned around to look at the huge screen behind me and realized she was right. I was stunned, frozen in the glare of the screen, recognizing that my method was not going to work properly. A presenter's nightmare.

After a few moments (that seemed very long moments) I turned back to the audience and said. "You're right. Let's fix this." I then did a revamping of the method right there in front of the audience, highlighting the errors and explaining the corrections. All that took place without a blip and the newly defined method worked like a charm. The Adobe rep who was in the audience later congratulated me on getting out of a pretty tough spot by giving the audience a hand's on troubleshooting session that highlighted many important aspects of how auto-numbering works (and how it doesn't). That day I lost my fear of screwing up in front of an audience.

There may be a few Twin-Citians out there who recall this. If so, don't publicly burst my bubble if your recollection is different. Still, I trust the impression of that Adobe rep.

Craig