Hi Tim, I agree that any publishing tool, no matter how good it is, can benefit from automation. Whether you are using FrameMaker or Word, there are usually tedious, repetitive, and error-prone tasks that can be automated. Since Word comes with VBA, you can automate tasks in Word without buying additional software. Adobe provides the free FDK (Frame Developers Kit) so that you can write FrameMaker plugins. This requires a compiler and knowledge of C/C++. You can also purchase FrameScript (http://www.framescript.com, $150), which is a third-party scripting environment for FrameMaker. This gives you the ability to script FrameMaker similar to how VBA works with Word and other Office programs.
Of course, you either need programming knowledge, or the resources to purchase scripts or plugins from solution providers. But even with minimal automation, you can usually recoup your investment many times over. The key is to not be limited by the publishing tool you are using, but to look at what is possible through automation. Disclaimer: I write FrameScript scripts for a living. Rick Quatro Carmen Publishing Inc. 585-659-8267 r...@frameexpert.com *** Frame Automation blog at http://frameautomation.com -----Original Message----- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Tim J. Slager Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 9:06 AM To: qui...@airmail.net Cc: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: RE: ARE: Framemaker 9 vs Microsoft Word I was saying that Word can function reliably with large documents on a regular basis, provided one uses styles and templates, as recommended. (Just expect some exasperation with numbered lists.) The programming option makes it possible to do things that go beyond any other word processing program I have encountered. It was something I would not have been aware of if a tech-writer-turned-VBA-programmer had not demonstrated it. I thought others might not be aware of this, either. Minor but thoughtful programming that was added to the template led to enthusiastic acceptance of the template by virtually the entire international company because it was so easy to use--and reliable. For example, a single button click reformatted tables to the standard and a dialog box converted documents from an old format to the new international standard. Sorry for running the two concepts together. Not saying Word is better than Frame, just different with some positive aspects. (I still despise Word's numbering.) tims -----Original Message----- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of qui...@airmail.net Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 12:07 AM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: ARE: Framemaker 9 vs Microsoft Word I rather find the apology that Word can be made to function reliably ONLY IF one reprograms it to be begging the question. It is usually thought that one buys software that functions without the user having to fix the program they just spent a few hundred dollars on. Scott On 6/3/10 12:35 PM, Tim J. Slager wrote: > Frame is clunky; Word is quirky. > > I have to agree numbered lists are Word's Achilles heal, although I can (usually) get them to work. > > I worked for 10 years at a company where we used Word to create professional documentation with page counts reaching into the thousands with very consistent template styles and rare file corruption. We had the advantage of a developer who could make Word do almost anything and had custom tool bars and automated documentation generation built into Word. The flexibility allowed by VBA programming is a great strength of Word. > > That said, there is something comforting about the stolid reliability of FM--once you get it figured out. > > tims > _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
