RE: Current trends in Authoring Tools?

["Lauren" <lt34 -at- csus -dot- edu>]

My favorite tool is my mind.  I'd be lost without it.

Lauren 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On 
> Behalf Of Joe Malin
> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 9:48 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Current trends in Authoring Tools?
> 
> My favorite authoring tool is the system of glyphs often known as
> "Roman": a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z. 
> This tool comes in many variations, some more usable than 
> others. Along with this tool, I also use English, a system of 
> expressing ideas using combinations of these glyphs plus 
> others such as . , ; : and !. One of English's key features 
> is a set of rules known as "grammar". A great many books have 
> been written about English; I notice that English is such a 
> popular tool that many of the books are written using English itself.
> 
> English users seem to have followed the idea of design 
> patterns and best practices, so one can now find books on 
> "rhetoric" and "style" that help construct effective English. 
> English by itself is very free-form, and while this is often 
> useful, one should also learn the most effective and 
> efficient design patterns.
> 
> English is, of course, not the only system out there, but it 
> is very popular. Other systems and other glyph tools exist, 
> but you can find experts that can convert your English into 
> these other systems.
> 
> I have noticed some recent debate on whether or not we should 
> replace English with XML or Ruby on Rails. Regardless, 
> English is the basis of both of these systems, so learning 
> English now will give you some future payoff as well.
> 
> And by the way, I am only joking slightly here.
> 
> Joe
> 
> ct wrote:
> > Good Point David.
> >
> >> Johnny:
> >
> >> Your comment "I have had the good fortune of not having to 
> work with
> > Word as my main
> >> authoring tool for the past 13 years as a TW" is hardly 
> the thing to
> > motivate Word experts >to leap to your assistance. I, for 
> one, think 
> > Word's flexibility and potential for automation >far outweigh its 
> > limitations. I won't sneer at your tools if you won't sneer at mine.
> > Deal? >About your questions...
> >
> > Although I am trained in and use (mostly to keep current) a good 
> > number of the authoring tools, I've noticed a definite 
> trend AWAY from 
> > the industry norms.
> >
> > The last few contract jobs I've worked as well as the last 
> 3 permanent 
> > jobs (and the job I am moving into - a fortune 50 company) have all 
> > abandoned tools like RoboHelp, FrameMaker, Flare, etc.  
> Their tool of 
> > choice?
> >
> > Word.
> >
> > Why?  It's in use.  It's got a future development path.  
> And everybody 
> > knows it.
> >
> > Simple.
> >
> > May not be the best tool...but it's what's hot in Rome.  
> And when in 
> > Rome....
> >
> > -Collin
> >
> > (I guess the tagline applies here...)
> >
> 
> --
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------
> 
> *Joe Malin*
> 
> jmalin -at- jmalin -dot- com <mailto:jmalin -at- jmalin -dot- com>
> 
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring,
Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help &amp; Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help &amp; Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

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