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Common Misconceptions about Adobe FrameMaker

Working at GPI I have the honor of reviewing many different desktop publishing applications with a combination of various workflows. More often than not I come across customers who are nervous about moving their documentation to FrameMaker. So I ask myself why that is.

This blog will address common misconceptions people have about FrameMaker and why they just aren’t true. A common concern I hear from my clients is “I heard that FrameMaker is hard to use, so I am nervous about moving from word”. Well I am pleased to address this and tell anyone who is considering moving to FrameMaker that if used correctly FrameMaker is a great DTP application for many different types of users. Today FrameMaker has a profile defined interface determined from what role you play in the publishing process. The menu is custom to its end-user. Not to mention if you are writing large documents the amount of time you will save by opening it as a FrameMaker doc versus the amount of time it takes to open a lengthy Word document (I am sure at one point many of you have come across this problem)

Picture_01

FrameMaker is expensive?

Before you assume that the application is an expensive option for dtp you must address the following information. What is the total cost of ownership of the desktop publishing application you are using? Is there an increase in training for system set up? How does the application affect the productivity of your workers? More often than not you will notice that FrameMaker may be a cheaper solution than other DTP software.

Most people do not realize the short-comings to their current desktop publishing tools until about half way through their projects. This is when they realize their formats have become a mess and they are stuck at a standstill trying to fix the problems rather than being able to finish their work in a timely fashion. FrameMaker although more complex of an application than word has provided its customers with a set of great tools to increase efficiency, whether it be in collaboration with other programs such as RoboHelp and Adobe Acrobat or by using DITA XML to optimize translation.

For any prospective FrameMaker user I recommend you do your research. Adobe’s Technical Communications dept. does a great job of informing/teaching users about their product through their many free seminars. I myself a seasoned Frame user, join many of these webinars to gather the most recent tips about DTP. The hosts are extremely knowledgeable and are always more than willing to answer any of your questions.

GPI’s Multilingual Desktop Publishing Services

Globalization Partners International, a premiere translation agency provides many services with document translation and website translation that involve multilingual desktop publishing services. This list below highlights some of the more common products used in such projects:

Working at GPI I have the honor of reviewing many different desktop publishing applications with a combination of various workflows. More often than not I come across customers who are nervous about moving their documentation to FrameMaker. So I ask myself why that is.

This blog will address common misconceptions people have about FrameMaker and why they just aren’t true. A common concern I hear from my clients is “I heard that FrameMaker is hard to use, so I am nervous about moving from word”. Well I am pleased to address this and tell anyone who is considering moving to FrameMaker that if used correctly FrameMaker is a great DTP application for many different types of users. Today FrameMaker has a profile defined interface determined from what role you play in the publishing process. The menu is custom to its end-user. Not to mention if you are writing large documents the amount of time you will save by opening it as a FrameMaker doc versus the amount of time it takes to open a lengthy Word document (I am sure at one point many of you have come across this problem)

Picture_01

FrameMaker is expensive?

Before you assume that the application is an expensive option for dtp you must address the following information. What is the total cost of ownership of the desktop publishing application you are using? Is there an increase in training for system set up? How does the application affect the productivity of your workers? More often than not you will notice that FrameMaker may be a cheaper solution than other DTP software.

Most people do not realize the short-comings to their current desktop publishing tools until about half way through their projects. This is when they realize their formats have become a mess and they are stuck at a standstill trying to fix the problems rather than being able to finish their work in a timely fashion. FrameMaker although more complex of an application than word has provided its customers with a set of great tools to increase efficiency, whether it be in collaboration with other programs such as RoboHelp and Adobe Acrobat or by using DITA XML to optimize translation.

For any prospective FrameMaker user I recommend you do your research. Adobe’s Technical Communications dept. does a great job of informing/teaching users about their product through their many free seminars. I myself a seasoned Frame user, join many of these webinars to gather the most recent tips about DTP. The hosts are extremely knowledgeable and are always more than willing to answer any of your questions.

GPI’s Multilingual Desktop Publishing Services

Globalization Partners International, a premiere translation agency provides many services with document translation and website translation that involve multilingual desktop publishing services. This list below highlights some of the more common products used in such projects: