Re: Framemaker and RoboHelp

["Mike Starr" <mikestarr-techwr-l -at- writestarr -dot- com>]

I can produce "marketing quality" print output in Frame, RoboHelp (export to 
Word), or Word. However, the workflow I'm currently sold on is:

Create "marketing quality" print output in Word.
Import (one time only) to Doc-To-Help
Output the entire content of the Word document as a stylish help file (.CHM 
or .HLP) or web help

If revisions are necessary, revise the document in Word, open my Doc-To-Help 
project and redo the help output(s). It's not necessary to re-import the 
Word document to Doc-To-Help; it already knows what to do with the revised 
Word document. All I have to do is click Build.

I'm unsure whether you can achieve this level of simplicity with the Adobe 
TCS (FrameMaker/RoboHelp).

Best regards,

Mike
--
Mike Starr                            WriteStarr Information Services
Technical Writer   -   Online Help Developer   -    Website developer
Graphic Designer    -    Desktop Publisher   -       MS Office Expert
Phone: (262) 694-1028 - Tollfree: (877) 892-1028 - Fax:(262) 697-6334
Email: mike -at- writestarr -dot- com      -      Web: http://www.writestarr.com

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Jim Barrow" <vrfour -at- verizon -dot- net>
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 9:07 AM
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Framemaker and RoboHelp

> Hi Bill,
>
> Thanks for responding.  I understand what you're saying.  And I understand 
> that the BA didn't propose that we write the help file concurrently in 
> both apps.  I've used RoboHelp and Framemaker for both online help and 
> printed manuals.  I prefer Frame, but our group decided to go with RH 
> because my other three tech writers didn't know Frame.  Is Frame *better* 
> at producing "slicker" printed manuals than RH?  That is, material that is 
> Marketing quality?
>
> - Jim
>
>>From: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
>>
>>I haven't installed the TCS to test as of yet, but if I recall
>>correctly the integration is FM into RH and not vice versa. Therefore,
>>any single sourcing would need to be on FM's end for clean long
>>document print output. You'd then consume that content (in whole or
>>conditionally/selectively) within RH for Help and other online output.
>>And he's not suggesting you create content in both tools. He has it
>>right; author mainly in FM, import the appropriate stuff into RH, and
>>generate Help.
>>
>>On Dec 12, 2007 9:56 PM, Jim Barrow <vrfour -at- verizon -dot- net> wrote:
>>> Okay, here's my latest workplace drama.  Our Tech Pubs group has gotten 
>>> the okay to purchase the Adobe Technical Suite (Frame and Robo) to 
>>> create end user manuals and online help.  That is until a business 
>>> analyst spent the entire day looking at Adobe presentations.  In short, 
>>> he wants the tech writers to create the help file in Frame AND RoboHelp 
>>> because he believes that Frame is used for printed material and RoboHelp 
>>> is used for online help.
>>>
>>> The following are excerpts that give you an idea of where he is coming 
>>> from:
>>>
>>> "Robohelp and Framemaker should play nice together. IÃÂÃÂÂÃÂÂm currently 
>>> watching an Adobe online presentation which focuses on Framemaker and 
>>> Robohelp titled ÃÂÃÂÂÃÂBenefits of Content ReuseÃÂÃÂÂ ; it says that in 
>>> the TCS you can link Robohelp to a Framemaker book, then when you save 
>>> the book Robohelp can pick up all of the updates. Unless youÃÂÃÂÂÃÂÂve 
>>> already started authoring in Robohelp, there would be no duplication of 
>>> effort; Framemaker will directly produce print-oriented materials, and 
>>> Robohelp will pick up the Framemaker content and compile it for online 
>>> help.  Adobe offers these products together for a reason. The workflow 
>>> for this suite works best as follows in order to have an attractively 
>>> laid-out printed manual and matching online help: create the manual in a 
>>> Framemaker book, link to the Framemaker book in Robohelp, and whenever 
>>> the Framemaker materials are updated, simply ask Robohelp to update the 
>>> linked content."
>>
>>-- 
>>Bill Swallow
>>HATT List Owner
>>WWP-Users List Owner
>>Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
>>STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager
>>http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
> printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
> Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
> http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

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