You need to use version control software like CVS or subversion. Then you submit all source files to a network directory visible to all Tech Writers. Then each TW has to checkout the file in order to work on it and check it back in when finished. All you have to do is look in the version control software and it displays who the doc is checked out to.
Gillian -----Original Message----- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Deirdre Reagan Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 12:49 PM To: Frame Users Subject: Document control Hey I'm full of questions today! The question du jour (du minute?) is about document control. Does anyone have any advice they'd like to share about developing a system for keeping track of who is currently working on a document, who has worked on a document, and who has made what changes? What I've done in the past (with Word) is have people put their initials at the end of the file name so we could all see at a glance who was currently working on the document. At my current job, we have a Project file to keep track of who is working on what. Our engineering staff uses some kind of card that people initial when the document changes hands, so that's an option also. But none of these solutions really speaks to the drafting stage, where the document changes hands quite a lot before it is ready to be reviewed. Anyhow, I was hoping one or more of you might have suggestions. Thanks! Deirdre _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as gflato at nanometrics.com. Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/gflato%40nanometrics .com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.