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.
Subject:Re: FOSS like FrameMaker From:"Ethan Metsger" <emetsger -at- obj-sys -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:33:34 -0500
On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:30:10 -0500, technical writing plus
<doc-x -at- earthlink -dot- net> wrote:
> [1] Glad that someone remembered Lyx-I couldn't remember the name,
> earlier
> today. I knew it was a short computer-esque sounding name.
I'll also recommend it as a handy tool. It'll take some getting used to,
but I've used it both academically (on my thesis) and in the workplace. I
personally find it easier to use than Frame, but I'm not really a tech
writer. With some additional tools it can be used reasonably for
single-sourcing (e.g., through plastex or some other conversion tools).
> [2] I was going to suggest Latex as a very close approximation, in the
> FOSS
> world, to Framemaker. I think that most technical publications people
> would
> not know of Latex simply because it is academically-oriented.
> [3] By the way, what is an 'overlay'?
Their website is http://www.lyx.org -- it may provide a little more
information. Long and short of it is that LyX provides a nice GUI
interface to writing latex documents.
Style editing in latex (and therefore LyX) can be difficult, but there are
plenty of choices prepackaged in any latex distribution. I've found it
more convenient not to have to define my own styles, actually, but I'm
probably a little less motivated than some of you. ;)
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
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
