One "feature" to remember is the pool of talent available to maintain the docs if you are unable to. I know I (or my intern) can find in my current Rolodex FM users who could take over my docs if I get hit by a bus. At this time I could not do the same for InDesign users, so I would have to build that network, too. john
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Peter Gold Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 10:57 AM To: Rick Quatro Cc: framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: FM 9 vs. InDesign Hi, Rick: Thanks for the detailed reply. On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 9:23 AM, Rick Quatro <rick at rickquatro.com> wrote: > Hi Peter, > > > > I am comparing component chapter files in a catalog with lots of data. > We used InDesign CS4. Although we don't have a version of the catalog > in FrameMaker for direct comparison, experience tells me that the > performance would be better in any recent version of FrameMaker. > Have you evaluated the performance of the catalog tools made for InDesign? > The fact that InDesign scripting is built in doesn't affect my > business; I make money writing scripts, not selling scripting tools. > I was thinking about the many free InDesign scripts; I don't know how this compares to free FrameScript scripts. > Based on my experience, InDesign scripting performance with JavaScript > is poor compared to FrameScript/FrameMaker performance, particularly > for more complex tasks. > Inefficient coding is common. > When you using automation, the cost for a third-party tool can be > recovered quickly if there are significant gains in performance. > Agreed. > This is not to say that I don't like InDesign; it is a great tool > with many nice features. But I would be cautious about moving to > InDesign from FrameMaker unless there is a compelling reason for doing so. > Two popular reasons are the significantly better typography controls, and the better graphics features; ID's drawing tools are quite advanced vs. FM, and there's more power in manipulating imported graphics. The graphic features overlap Photoshop to some degree; the advantage here is staying inside one application to use them. With TCS2 including the full Photoshop application, "more is more" for sure. "Compelling" is subjective, I agree. Usually, technical documentation's communication of information doesn't improve significantly because of more-sophisticatedly composed type, but for some publishers or publications, masterful typesetting is a compelling requirement. Perhaps Tina's list of requirements will provide more information for comparing the applications and their suitability. > Regards, > > > Peter > > _______________________ > > Peter Gold > > KnowHow ProServices > > Rick Quatro > Carmen Publishing Inc. > > 585-659-8267 > > rick at frameexpert.com > > www.frameexpert.com > > > > > > > > *From:* knowhowpro at gmail.com [mailto:knowhowpro at gmail.com] *On Behalf > Of *Peter Gold > *Sent:* Wednesday, October 21, 2009 6:39 PM > *To:* Rick Quatro > *Cc:* Tina Ricks; framers at lists.frameusers.com > *Subject:* Re: FM 9 vs. InDesign > > > > Hi, Rick: > > On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 2:36 PM, Rick Quatro <rick at rickquatro.com> wrote: > > Hi Tina, > > I have found InDesign's performance to be sluggish with long documents. > > > > Are you comparing books with component chapter files, or single-file > long documents? And, which release of InDesign compared to which > release of FrameMaker? > > > > Although InDesign has built-in scripting, the FrameMaker/FrameScript > combination is much faster for automation. > > > > InDesign's scripting tools are built in, not extra-cost third-party items. > Although it's obviously not a good thing for your business, there's a > great quantity of free InDesign scripts "out there." > > > > Regards, > > > > Peter > > _______________________ > > Peter Gold > > KnowHow ProServices > > > > > > > > Rick Quatro > Carmen Publishing Inc. > 585-659-8267 > rick at frameexpert.com > www.frameexpert.com > > > > > Can anyone point me to a thorough comparison list of features between > FM9 and InDesign? I'm using Frame primarily for print books at a small > publisher, and using it because I know it and I'm familiar with it. > > I currently use Frame 8, and I'm considering an upgrade to either > Frame 9 or InDesign. > > I've read that InDesign CS4 recently added cross references. Does > anyone know how they compare to Frame's feature? Also, what about > creating an index in InDesign. What features does it have for dynamic > indexing? > > Thanks. > > Tina Ricks | Managing Editor | Trial Guides > > www.trialguides.com > > _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as jsgammato at imprivata.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/jsgammato%40imprivat a.com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
