TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
At 01:07 PM 02/02/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>Heya,
>
>I'm just trying to figure out which programs are in use. Please e-mail me
the
>name of the program(s) you use to write printed (rather than web-based or
>on-line) documentation at work right now. I will post results to the list.
>(Oh, and if you are not using Windows, please also list the operating
system.)
>
>Christine Pellar-Kosbar
>
>P.S. Please don't list your favorite program, list the one you are using,
even
>if you hate it.
60% FrameMaker (Mac)
25% FrameMaker (Win)
10% Word98 (Mac)---occasionally, for short docs or
when I need the outline feature
5% WinWord---only when I'm working onsite somewhere
and Frame isn't available
Note: I have worked in Word far longer than I've worked in Frame. I coach
client groups in Word techniques, and am considered a power user. But,
even when the deliverables must be in WinWord, I prefer to do the
development in Frame---especially if I'm being paid a flat project fee. It
takes much less time (average 30%) to do conversion at the end of the
project, rather than to work from scratch in Word. This isn't a case of
'people prefer what they're familiar with'. It's purely a matter of
efficiency and greed.
--
Kat Nagel, MasterWork Consulting Services katnagel -at- eznet -dot- net
