Re: Questions about look and feel.
I'd look at Apple documents and IBM documents to see some good examples. Both are online. Joel On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 4:30 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, all. This is perhaps a bit of a vague set of questions, but I am interested in improving the look of our manuals and specifications documentation and would like to see what others are doing in this regard. 1. Specifically, I am working on various manuals for our software API's as well as general technical specifications. 2. These tend to be reasonably dry documents, where I have used numbering for chapter and section titles so people can refer to them by those numbers when talking internally here, as well as when we get questions from our customers. 3. The target audience for most of these documents are engineers (software and hardware) and technical managers and the like. No consumer docs, or marketing folks or web page formats, etc. 4. At the present time, my chapter and title fonts are Arial (various sizes depending on the section and subsection level) and my body font is Palatino Linotype in 11 point. 5. Pretty much in black text most everywhere, except where I use Red italic font in a sidehead to make certain short one-to-two sentence notes (also in italic, but in black) stand out right next to the sidehead word. These are important notes to not overlook by the reader. My goal is to improve legibility. 1. Are there any sample documents (at any site) that people could point me to as ones that they liked a lot for (a) legibility and (b) readability for such documents? 2. Do people think that a Sans Serif font improves legibility for body text? I have seen some recent manual examples using Calibri in a 10 point size (that I wasn't sure that I particularly liked, but if it makes things easier to read, then I'd be willing to try it). 3. What about color? Like in Section and chapter titles? 4. In many places in my manuals, I have numbers (usually enclosed in quotes to designate strings) that I show in a fixed-width font (using Consulas in 11 point), even when in paragraphs that have body text in Palatino. I have experimented with making these a fairly Dark Blue color, and also tried bold (in black), to make them stand out a bit more. This seems to work reasonably well, but I am not sure that I want to get too much color in these manuals and specifications just yet, so I have not actually sent anything out yet! Finally ... 1. I am looking to see if I can find a few people to look at two PDF extracts (less than 10 or 20 pages) from two of my manuals/specifications to get some critiques along the above lines - look and feel criticism only (the words and content are a different thing entirely J!). Any volunteers who could take a bit of time for this? Thanks in advance! Regards, Z ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/eleysium%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Questions about look and feel.
Mike Wickham wrote: 2. Do people think that a Sans Serif font improves legibility for body text? Using a sans serif font for body text greatly reduces reader comprehension. Obtain a copy of Colin Wheildon's _Type and Layout: Are You Communicating or Just Making Pretty Shapes?_ The book contains actual studies showing the effects on readability and comprehension of serif vs. sans serif fonts, color type, bold and italic type, justified paragraphs, etc. It's a fantastic book: http://www.amazon.com/Type-Layout-Communicating-Making-Pretty/dp/1875750223 After reading both the positive and (very) negative reviews on Amazon, I put a hold on a copy from the library rather than rush to buy. Sounds like it could be either a well-researched factual treatment, or an opinion piece supported by dubious methodology. Also sounds like it is geared to advertising rather than book-length text, and I very much doubt that what's good for the former applies uniformly to the latter. But I shall reserve judgement until I've actually read the thing! Thanks for the reference, Mike, -- Stuart Rogers Technical Communicator Phoenix Geophysics Limited Toronto, ON, Canada +1 (416) 491-7340 x 325 srogers phoenix-geophysics com A man's screech should exceed his rasp, or what's a violin for? --another Rogers Original ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: Questions about look and feel.
OK, you've worn down my resistance and I must register my observations. Reading on the computer screen is different from reading a printed page. Reading on an LDC or TFT display is slightly different than reading on a CRT. (A CRT oscillates at, or very, very near the frequency of the electric supply current. LCD and TFT displays do not oscillate, or at least they display a more intense image persistance.) The printed page depends on reflected light. The background of the page reflects all wavelengths (rendered white...most of the time, anyway) and the print on the page blocks all wavelengths (rendered black...same proviso as background) of light. On the printed page, serifs serve the purpose of making the outline of each printed character distinct from the background by creating a longer border between the printed character and the background. This provides the eye more information whereby it can decode the character. Once again, the printed page depends on reflected light, and how well the characters block the reflection (render resolution.) There is a spanner (disturbance variable) in the works, however, and the spanner is this: The publisher has no control over the quality, color, or amount of light. Serifs help resolve this issue. Reading glasses help even more. Reading on a computer display differs from reading the printed page in this respect: The light is direct, in contrast to reflected light. Light emanates from the display. The characters and the background both block all wavelengths of light that are not contained in their respective colors. This difference is an important consideration when deciding to use serif or sans serif fonts. Reflection, refraction, and ocular persistence come into play. In general, serif fonts are better for printed works. Sans serif fonts are better for screen displays, but, I could be wrong...regards, Kelly. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stuart Rogers Sent: 2008-05-09 10:40 To: Mike Wickham Cc: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Questions about look and feel. Mike Wickham wrote: 2. Do people think that a Sans Serif font improves legibility for body text? Using a sans serif font for body text greatly reduces reader comprehension. Obtain a copy of Colin Wheildon's _Type and Layout: Are You Communicating or Just Making Pretty Shapes?_ The book contains actual studies showing the effects on readability and comprehension of serif vs. sans serif fonts, color type, bold and italic type, justified paragraphs, etc. It's a fantastic book: http://www.amazon.com/Type-Layout-Communicating-Making-Pretty/dp/1875750 223 After reading both the positive and (very) negative reviews on Amazon, I put a hold on a copy from the library rather than rush to buy. Sounds like it could be either a well-researched factual treatment, or an opinion piece supported by dubious methodology. Also sounds like it is geared to advertising rather than book-length text, and I very much doubt that what's good for the former applies uniformly to the latter. But I shall reserve judgement until I've actually read the thing! Thanks for the reference, Mike, -- Stuart Rogers Technical Communicator Phoenix Geophysics Limited Toronto, ON, Canada +1 (416) 491-7340 x 325 srogers phoenix-geophysics com A man's screech should exceed his rasp, or what's a violin for? --another Rogers Original ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/kmcdaniel%40pavtech. com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Questions about look and feel.
If you read the excerpted pages on the Amazon listing, you'll get an idea of the focus of the book. My local library system doesn't have the book, and I'm not ready to buy in a rush, either. The conflicting arguments about what's best, are reminiscent of the which is the widow, which is the orphan and spaces after a period discussions. I'll just offer a recent observation on reading a large book with a lot of sans-serif type. The third and fourth editions of The History of Graphic Design, by Meggs, are set in sans-serif. There's a lot of text and a lot of graphics in the 600-some pages. The third edition's text is very clunky, but if you're focused on content, you bear with it. The fourth edition is a lot easier to read. I can't tell if differences in the type specifications alone account for the improvement, or if the processing of the text for printing contributes to effect. I knew the third edition was uncomfortable, before I ever saw the fourth. The design of the fourth edition confirms that the quality of the reading experience is a result of the designer's skill in making choices. HTH Regards, Peter __ Peter Gold KnowHow ProServices ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: Framemaker Books
Dear Deidre, The Classroom in a Book is a good one, I have learnt the basics of FM from that one. Now it is in use of my brother, he is studying FM from it, I can recommend it. Árpád Asztalos Hungarian Linguist Medtronic - Technical Literature Group (TLi) Endepolsdomein 5 6229 GW Maastricht The Netherlands +31 43 3856932 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.medtronic.com/manuals www.medtronic.hu -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Deirdre Reagan Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 5:34 PM To: Frame Users Subject: Framemaker Books Hi all: I know this topic was just covered, and I've searched for it in the archives, but I'd like also to get your opinions. I've been told that Framemaker: Classroom in a Book is an excellent resource for learning FM. But on Amazon, the reviews are very poor. Framemaker 7: The Complete Reference by O'Keefe has good reviews, but it doesn't seem to be available anymore. Framemaker 6: Beyond the Basics by Jahred has outstanding reviews but it also is no longer available. Any suggestions? Deirdre ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/arpad.asztalos%40medtronic.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. [CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY NOTICE] Information transmitted by this email is proprietary to Medtronic and is intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is private, privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or it appears that this mail has been forwarded to you without proper authority, you are notified that any use or dissemination of this information in any manner is strictly prohibited. In such cases, please delete this mail from your records. To view this notice in other languages you can either select the following link or manually copy and paste the link into the address bar of a web browser: http://emaildisclaimer.medtronic.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Display of pages
Hi: I posted awhile ago asking about the learning curve for FrameMaker. I'm starting to train myself with O'Keefe's book and Classroom in a Book. But one thing about the page display in FrameMaker's workspace really distracts me -- it's the way the left and bottom edges of the page seem to run into the ruler area without demarcation. I'm just used to seeing a little gray between the edge of the page and the window features. Is there any way to establish that? Bear ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
sortorder Turkish
Hello Framers, I have a client that needs FrameMaker documents in Turkish. I am now trying to create a correctly sorted index, but I have difficulties with this. Is there anyone who has done this before, or someone who can advise in any way?? Any help would be appreciated. Kind regards Anneke Von den Hoff Disclaimer --- Dit E-mailbericht inclusief eventuele bijlagen is vertrouwelijk en uitsluitend bestemd voor de bedoelde geadresseerden. Indien dit E-mailbericht niet voor u bestemd is, verzoeken wij u ons hiervan op de hoogte te stellen en vervolgens dit bericht te verwijderen. Openbaarmaking, vermenigvuldiging, modificatie, verspreiding en/of verstrekking van de inhoud en/of bijlagen aan derden is niet toegestaan. The information contained in this E-mail message and any attachments hereto is privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s) or their designee. If you, as a reader of this message, are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication by you is strictly prohibited. If this communication has reached you in error, please immediately notify us and delete the original message from your mail system. --- ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Questions about look and feel.
In general, serif fonts are better for printed works. Sans serif fonts are better for screen displays, but, I could be wrong...regards, I agree. And would note that the Wheildon studies were done well before the advent of the Web, so the book has no comment about viewing text on screen. I would also note that the original poster said his documents had no web page formats. Mike Wickham ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Display of pages
On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 10:44 AM, Chinell, David F (GE EntSol, Security) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi: I posted awhile ago asking about the learning curve for FrameMaker. I'm starting to train myself with O'Keefe's book and Classroom in a Book. But one thing about the page display in FrameMaker's workspace really distracts me -- it's the way the left and bottom edges of the page seem to run into the ruler area without demarcation. I'm just used to seeing a little gray between the edge of the page and the window features. Is there any way to establish that? Hi, David: FrameMaker doesn't use the pasteboard metaphor that's common in page-layout applications. When you print or convert to PDF, you can specify how the document appears on the standard-size paper. When the FM page size is larger than the document area, you can add crop marks to help visualize the working area, or you can create a simulated pasteboard border area on your master-pages. You can specify the color of the border to be non-printing. Depending on your final output and your preferences, one of these suggestions may work for you: * Use File New Custom, to define a larger page than you need in a new document. Set the margins to give the live area of the size and position you'd want on a standard page. * Format Page Layout Page Size to redefine the page size of an existing document. Reposition the main and header/footer text frames to suit your needs. * Create two templates - one with the standard no-pasteboard layout, and one with the oversize fake pasteboard layout, and import one or the other into your current document. You'll find plenty of information on importing formats, templates, master pages, crop marks, margin settings, header text frames, non-printing color, etc. in FM's online Help, and in Google searches. HTH Regards, Peter __ Peter Gold KnowHow ProServices ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: Questions about look and feel.
In general, serif fonts are better for printed works. Sans serif fonts are better for screen displays, but, I could be wrong...regards, I agree. And would note that the Wheildon studies were done well before the advent of the Web, so the book has no comment about viewing text on screen. I would also note that the original poster said his documents had no web page formats. Correct! No web page formats. These are PDF technical documents for API's and the like - the expectations are that people would use PDF Readers to look at them on their screens, or print pages (or the entire document) as needed for reference. The use from Acrobat Readers is encouraged, since I use hyperlinks to take people to various places within the same document for detailed explanations of items, for example. Z ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: Framemaker Uses
Just out of curiosity, what kinds of documents are people producing in Framemaker? Besides research papers, meeting minutes, etc., I wrote a logic textbook in FM3 and 4 and a more advanced research monograph in FM7. Lots of numbered examples, xrefs to them, fair number of line diagrams, and in the latter case (unfortunately) lots of footnotes. In doing the textbook I switched from a then-unstable word processor with an idiosyncratic xref add-on, but decent footnotes and search/replace to die for, namely, Nisus, and what a godsend FM's stable anchored frames and xref capacities were. And what a nightmare its incorrectly programmed footnote procedures have been ever since. I honestly think FM would own the academic market by now if its owners had ever put the effort into fixing the footnotes. Graeme Forbes ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Newbie Question, Book Template
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Book Template (basic)
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Re: Framemaker Uses
Hi Deirdre I've used Frame since 1992 for a variety of different products, including tons of white papers, manuals, training guides, technical marketing materials, policies, procedures, reports, spec sheets and the like. During the past few years, I've focused on using unstructured Frame for single sourced projects with multiple outputs such as print documentation, online help, print-friendly PDFs, online-friendly PDFs, etc. All the documents I've created have relied heavily on numbering, cross-referencing, consistency in terminology, have short creation deadlines and even shorter editing deadlines. For one document, a user guide of over 6500 pages, we were able to turn on a dime when we had over 2500 pages completed...we strictly enforced the use of character and paragragh tags, variables and cross references. When the client's legal time wanted the product name to always have a trademark, it was changed within minutes of the request. And when a manager decided we absolutely *must* use different formatting for the keys pressed, it was completed in minutes and all remaining content was matched to the new standards with no muss, no fuss. I can't say I would use for products that required fine layout techniques and especially not for documents with heavy footnoting requirements. It positively sucks for those! My most recent project is using Frame to single source a series of policies and procedures for over 18 plants. The materials are at least 50-60% reusable and we're using standard, unstructured Frame features to handle the changes that are made on a plant by plant basis. Although the end users protested at first, they were won over when they found out about the neat new things they could get (everything from not being responsible for writing and maintaining the content to hotlinked references to the relevant regulatory local, state, and federal codes! Hope this helps Jerilynne Knight Simply Written, Inc. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Questions about look and feel.
I'd look at Apple documents and IBM documents to see some good examples. Both are online. Joel On Thu, May 8, 2008 at 4:30 PM, wrote: > Hi, all. > > > > This is perhaps a bit of a vague set of questions, but I am interested > in improving the look of our manuals and specifications documentation > and would like to see what others are doing in this regard. > > > > 1. Specifically, I am working on various manuals for our software API's > as well as general technical specifications. > > > > 2. These tend to be reasonably dry documents, where I have used > numbering for chapter and section titles so people can refer to them by > those numbers when talking internally here, as well as when we get > questions from our customers. > > > > 3. The target audience for most of these documents are engineers > (software and hardware) and technical managers and the like. No consumer > docs, or marketing folks or web page formats, etc. > > > > 4. At the present time, my chapter and title fonts are Arial (various > sizes depending on the section and subsection level) and my body font is > Palatino Linotype in 11 point. > > > > 5. Pretty much in black text most everywhere, except where I use Red > italic font in a sidehead to make certain short one-to-two sentence > notes (also in italic, but in black) stand out right next to the > sidehead word. These are important notes to not overlook by the reader. > > > > My goal is to improve legibility. > > > > 1. Are there any sample documents (at any site) that people could point > me to as ones that they liked a lot for (a) legibility and (b) > readability for such documents? > > > > 2. Do people think that a Sans Serif font improves legibility for body > text? I have seen some recent manual examples using "Calibri" in a 10 > point size (that I wasn't sure that I particularly liked, but if it > makes things easier to read, then I'd be willing to try it). > > > > 3. What about color? Like in Section and chapter titles? > > > > 4. In many places in my manuals, I have numbers (usually enclosed in > quotes to designate strings) that I show in a fixed-width font (using > "Consulas" in 11 point), even when in paragraphs that have body text in > Palatino. I have experimented with making these a fairly Dark Blue > color, and also tried bold (in black), to make them stand out a bit > more. This seems to work reasonably well, but I am not sure that I want > to get too much color in these manuals and specifications just yet, so I > have not actually sent anything out yet! > > > > Finally ... > > > > 1. I am looking to see if I can find a few people to look at two PDF > extracts (less than 10 or 20 pages) from two of my > manuals/specifications to get some critiques along the above lines - > look and feel criticism only (the words and content are a different > thing entirely J!). Any volunteers who could take a bit of time for > this? Thanks in advance! > > > > Regards, > > > > Z > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as eleysium at gmail.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/eleysium%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. >
Questions about look and feel.
Mike Wickham wrote: >> 2. Do people think that a Sans Serif font improves legibility for body >> text? > > Using a sans serif font for body text greatly reduces reader comprehension. > Obtain a copy of Colin Wheildon's _Type and Layout: Are You Communicating or > Just Making Pretty Shapes?_ The book contains actual studies showing the > effects on readability and comprehension of serif vs. sans serif fonts, > color type, bold and italic type, justified paragraphs, etc. It's a > fantastic book: > > http://www.amazon.com/Type-Layout-Communicating-Making-Pretty/dp/1875750223 > After reading both the positive and (very) negative reviews on Amazon, I put a hold on a copy from the library rather than rush to buy. Sounds like it could be either a well-researched factual treatment, or an opinion piece supported by dubious methodology. Also sounds like it is geared to advertising rather than book-length text, and I very much doubt that what's good for the former applies uniformly to the latter. But I shall reserve judgement until I've actually read the thing! Thanks for the reference, Mike, -- Stuart Rogers Technical Communicator Phoenix Geophysics Limited Toronto, ON, Canada +1 (416) 491-7340 x 325 srogers phoenix-geophysics com "A man's screech should exceed his rasp, or what's a violin for?" --another Rogers Original
Questions about look and feel.
OK, you've worn down my resistance and I must register my observations. Reading on the computer screen is different from reading a printed page. Reading on an LDC or TFT display is slightly different than reading on a CRT. (A CRT oscillates at, or very, very near the frequency of the electric supply current. LCD and TFT displays do not oscillate, or at least they display a more intense image persistance.) The printed page depends on reflected light. The background of the page reflects all wavelengths (rendered white...most of the time, anyway) and the print on the page blocks all wavelengths (rendered black...same proviso as background) of light. On the printed page, serifs serve the purpose of making the outline of each printed character distinct from the background by creating a longer border between the printed character and the background. This provides the eye more information whereby it can decode the character. Once again, the printed page depends on reflected light, and how well the characters block the reflection (render resolution.) There is a spanner (disturbance variable) in the works, however, and the spanner is this: The publisher has no control over the quality, color, or amount of light. Serifs help resolve this issue. Reading glasses help even more. Reading on a computer display differs from reading the printed page in this respect: The light is direct, in contrast to reflected light. Light emanates from the display. The characters and the background both block all wavelengths of light that are not contained in their respective colors. This difference is an important consideration when deciding to use serif or sans serif fonts. Reflection, refraction, and ocular persistence come into play. In general, serif fonts are "better" for printed works. Sans serif fonts are "better" for screen displays, but, I could be wrong...regards, Kelly. > -Original Message- > From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Stuart Rogers > Sent: 2008-05-09 10:40 > To: Mike Wickham > Cc: framers at lists.frameusers.com > Subject: Re: Questions about look and feel. > > Mike Wickham wrote: > >> 2. Do people think that a Sans Serif font improves legibility for body > >> text? > > > > Using a sans serif font for body text greatly reduces reader comprehension. > > Obtain a copy of Colin Wheildon's _Type and Layout: Are You Communicating or > > Just Making Pretty Shapes?_ The book contains actual studies showing the > > effects on readability and comprehension of serif vs. sans serif fonts, > > color type, bold and italic type, justified paragraphs, etc. It's a > > fantastic book: > > > > http://www.amazon.com/Type-Layout-Communicating-Making-Pretty/dp/1875750 223 > > > > > After reading both the positive and (very) negative reviews on Amazon, I > put a hold on a copy from the library rather than rush to buy. Sounds > like it could be either a well-researched factual treatment, or an > opinion piece supported by dubious methodology. Also sounds like it is > geared to advertising rather than book-length text, and I very much > doubt that what's good for the former applies uniformly to the latter. > > But I shall reserve judgement until I've actually read the thing! > > Thanks for the reference, Mike, > > -- > Stuart Rogers > Technical Communicator > Phoenix Geophysics Limited > Toronto, ON, Canada > +1 (416) 491-7340 x 325 > > srogers phoenix-geophysics com > > "A man's screech should exceed his rasp, or what's a violin for?" > > --another Rogers Original > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as kmcdaniel at pavtech.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/kmcdaniel%40pavtech. com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Questions about look and feel.
If you read the excerpted pages on the Amazon listing, you'll get an idea of the focus of the book. My local library system doesn't have the book, and I'm not ready to buy in a rush, either. The conflicting arguments about what's "best," are reminiscent of the "which is the widow, which is the orphan" and "spaces after a period" discussions. I'll just offer a recent observation on reading a large book with a lot of sans-serif type. The third and fourth editions of "The History of Graphic Design," by Meggs, are set in sans-serif. There's a lot of text and a lot of graphics in the 600-some pages. The third edition's text is very clunky, but if you're focused on content, you bear with it. The fourth edition is a lot easier to read. I can't tell if differences in the type specifications alone account for the improvement, or if the processing of the text for printing contributes to effect. I knew the third edition was uncomfortable, before I ever saw the fourth. The design of the fourth edition confirms that the quality of the reading experience is a result of the designer's skill in making choices. HTH Regards, Peter __ Peter Gold KnowHow ProServices
sortorder Turkish
Hello Framers, I have a client that needs FrameMaker documents in Turkish. I am now trying to create a correctly sorted index, but I have difficulties with this. Is there anyone who has done this before, or someone who can advise in any way?? Any help would be appreciated. Kind regards Anneke Von den Hoff Disclaimer --- Dit E-mailbericht inclusief eventuele bijlagen is vertrouwelijk en uitsluitend bestemd voor de bedoelde geadresseerden. Indien dit E-mailbericht niet voor u bestemd is, verzoeken wij u ons hiervan op de hoogte te stellen en vervolgens dit bericht te verwijderen. Openbaarmaking, vermenigvuldiging, modificatie, verspreiding en/of verstrekking van de inhoud en/of bijlagen aan derden is niet toegestaan. The information contained in this E-mail message and any attachments hereto is privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the intended recipient(s) or their designee. If you, as a reader of this message, are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication by you is strictly prohibited. If this communication has reached you in error, please immediately notify us and delete the original message from your mail system. ---
Questions about look and feel.
> In general, serif fonts are "better" for printed works. Sans serif fonts > are "better" for screen displays, but, I could be wrong...regards, I agree. And would note that the Wheildon studies were done well before the advent of the Web, so the book has no comment about viewing text on screen. I would also note that the original poster said his documents had no "web page formats." Mike Wickham
Questions about look and feel.
> > In general, serif fonts are "better" for printed works. Sans serif fonts > > are "better" for screen displays, but, I could be wrong...regards, > > I agree. And would note that the Wheildon studies were done well before the > advent of the Web, so the book has no comment about viewing text on screen. > I would also note that the original poster said his documents had no "web > page formats." Correct! No web page formats. These are PDF technical documents for API's and the like - the expectations are that people would use PDF Readers to look at them on their screens, or print pages (or the entire document) as needed for reference. The use from Acrobat Readers is encouraged, since I use hyperlinks to take people to various places within the same document for detailed explanations of items, for example. Z
Newbie Question, Book Template
Book Template (basic)
Framemaker Uses
Hi Deirdre I've used Frame since 1992 for a variety of different products, including tons of white papers, manuals, training guides, technical marketing materials, policies, procedures, reports, spec sheets and the like. During the past few years, I've focused on using unstructured Frame for single sourced projects with multiple outputs such as print documentation, online help, print-friendly PDFs, online-friendly PDFs, etc. All the documents I've created have relied heavily on numbering, cross-referencing, consistency in terminology, have short creation deadlines and even shorter editing deadlines. For one document, a user guide of over 6500 pages, we were able to turn on a dime when we had over 2500 pages completed...we strictly enforced the use of character and paragragh tags, variables and cross references. When the client's legal time wanted the product name to always have a trademark, it was changed within minutes of the request. And when a manager decided we absolutely *must* use different formatting for the keys pressed, it was completed in minutes and all remaining content was matched to the new standards with no muss, no fuss. I can't say I would use for products that required fine layout techniques and especially not for documents with heavy footnoting requirements. It positively sucks for those! My most recent project is using Frame to single source a series of policies and procedures for over 18 plants. The materials are at least 50-60% reusable and we're using standard, unstructured Frame features to handle the changes that are made on a plant by plant basis. Although the end users protested at first, they were won over when they found out about the neat new things they could get (everything from not being responsible for writing and maintaining the content to hotlinked references to the relevant regulatory local, state, and federal codes! Hope this helps Jerilynne Knight Simply Written, Inc.
Questions about look and feel.
Thank you for the info. Very informative. Now I know why my eyes burn at the end of the day..its those damned rays! Where does credibility, authority and believability fit in with all of this? Which font? I want a font that, when viewed, reeks of leadership! Frank -Original Message- From: Kelly McDaniel [mailto:kmcdan...@pavtech.com] Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 9:21 AM To: framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: RE: Questions about look and feel. OK, you've worn down my resistance and I must register my observations. Reading on the computer screen is different from reading a printed page. Reading on an LDC or TFT display is slightly different than reading on a CRT. (A CRT oscillates at, or very, very near the frequency of the electric supply current. LCD and TFT displays do not oscillate, or at least they display a more intense image persistance.) The printed page depends on reflected light. The background of the page reflects all wavelengths (rendered white...most of the time, anyway) and the print on the page blocks all wavelengths (rendered black...same proviso as background) of light. On the printed page, serifs serve the purpose of making the outline of each printed character distinct from the background by creating a longer border between the printed character and the background. This provides the eye more information whereby it can decode the character. Once again, the printed page depends on reflected light, and how well the characters block the reflection (render resolution.) There is a spanner (disturbance variable) in the works, however, and the spanner is this: The publisher has no control over the quality, color, or amount of light. Serifs help resolve this issue. Reading glasses help even more. Reading on a computer display differs from reading the printed page in this respect: The light is direct, in contrast to reflected light. Light emanates from the display. The characters and the background both block all wavelengths of light that are not contained in their respective colors. This difference is an important consideration when deciding to use serif or sans serif fonts. Reflection, refraction, and ocular persistence come into play. In general, serif fonts are "better" for printed works. Sans serif fonts are "better" for screen displays, but, I could be wrong...regards, Kelly. > -Original Message- > From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Stuart Rogers > Sent: 2008-05-09 10:40 > To: Mike Wickham > Cc: framers at lists.frameusers.com > Subject: Re: Questions about look and feel. > > Mike Wickham wrote: > >> 2. Do people think that a Sans Serif font improves legibility for body > >> text? > > > > Using a sans serif font for body text greatly reduces reader comprehension. > > Obtain a copy of Colin Wheildon's _Type and Layout: Are You Communicating or > > Just Making Pretty Shapes?_ The book contains actual studies showing the > > effects on readability and comprehension of serif vs. sans serif fonts, > > color type, bold and italic type, justified paragraphs, etc. It's a > > fantastic book: > > > > http://www.amazon.com/Type-Layout-Communicating-Making-Pretty/dp/1875750 223 > > > > > After reading both the positive and (very) negative reviews on Amazon, I > put a hold on a copy from the library rather than rush to buy. Sounds > like it could be either a well-researched factual treatment, or an > opinion piece supported by dubious methodology. Also sounds like it is > geared to advertising rather than book-length text, and I very much > doubt that what's good for the former applies uniformly to the latter. > > But I shall reserve judgement until I've actually read the thing! > > Thanks for the reference, Mike, > > -- > Stuart Rogers > Technical Communicator > Phoenix Geophysics Limited > Toronto, ON, Canada > +1 (416) 491-7340 x 325 > > srogers phoenix-geophysics com > > "A man's screech should exceed his rasp, or what's a violin for?" > > --another Rogers Original > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as kmcdaniel at pavtech.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/kmcdaniel%40pavtech. com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as frank.j.dodd at boeing.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/frank.j.dodd%40boein g.com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit
