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I've been using ID exclusively for the past six years, for several reasons.
Note that I have not (yet) had a need to create web-based deliverables, so
everything I've been doing is paper-based (with generated PDFs available,
of course).
My rationale for ID is that I need a single tool that can produce both user
manuals and marketing collateral of all types. ID fits the bill nicely, and
its UI—while not free of nuances—is one I am most comfortable with given my
years of wranging PageMaker.
As for FM, I've only had a brief, nine-month acquaintance with it, but
quickly discovered that Adobe has done *nothing* to retool its UI in
relation to current GUI specs—Mac or PC. Granted, I think I was forced to
use the now-antiquated FM 7 and haven't looked at it since (thank God).
Yes, I can clearly see where it is perhaps the tool of choice for larger
projects, with different deliverables.
However, if faced with that scenario, I think I'd be looking in another
direction altogether. I'd poll the wise folks herein and see which
non-Adobe direction makes the most sense given the project.
> Chris
On Mon, Sep 23, 2013 at 6:31 AM, Paul Hanson <twer_lists_all -at- hotmail -dot- com>wrote:
> If you are going to only distribute PDFs, I think you can make ID work for
> you. However, if you need to distribute online Help and get your content
> into HTML for a CHM or browser-based help system, then my experience is
> that
> ID is not going to work for you. You can contact me off-list if you want
> more specifics about my experience with ID. I prefer not to rant about the
> time in my life when I used it publicly.
>
> Paul Hanson
> Senior Technical Writer
> blog: http://prhmusic.blogspot.com
> Twitter: @phrmusic - follow me!
> Lou's Classic Ride: https://www.facebook.com/LousClassicRide
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+twer_lists_all=hotmail -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+twer_lists_all=hotmail -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
> Behalf Of Rick Quatro
> Sent: Monday, September 23, 2013 7:24 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Tools statistics
>
> Hi,
>
> I am new to the list and work with both FrameMaker and InDesign. I am
> working with a client that is looking at using InDesign for their technical
> documentation. They want to know if other tech writers are using InDesign,
> as opposed to FrameMaker or Word, etc. Does anyone know of any data or
> surveys that might show where InDesign stands in the technical publications
> world? Thank you very much.
>
> Rick
>
> Rick Quatro
> Carmen Publishing Inc.
> 585-283-5045
> rick -at- frameexpert -dot- com
>
>
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New! Doc-to-Help 2013 features the industry's first HTML5 editor for authoring.
