Re: Considering training before buying software? (was: FrameMaker Training)

["Karen E. Black" <kblack_text -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

In the course of deciding on a software purchase, the proposer 
(propositioner? guinea pig?) often evaluates the software using a trial 
application provided by the software vendor. That way, the would-be buyer 
gets a chance to see the learning curve, find out if the vendor provides 
training, or gets to phone around to find a suitable educator, before 
committing to the purchase.

I was responsible for internal and external course research, scheduling, 
booking, budgeting, and sometimes shepherding co-workers to classes (I 
caught one eejit reading a book at his desk while he was supposed to be 
attending a 3-day, $1500 QA class. He only lost 1.5 hours and a bit of 
skin). I worked with a few training vendors and software vendors, and 
enforced our company policy of requiring written reports from participants. 
That helped us determine who was providing good value for the money we were 
spending. And we also found out the cost of the software + training.

So, yes, we DO think about it beforehand.

Karen Black
Technical Writer, does not suffer eejits gladly
www.dhltd.com