Re: FrameMaker > Help > FrameMaker?

[Goober Writer <gooberwriter -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

> Some workflows just don't. Something probably has to
> give, such as:
> 
> 1) The expectations.
> 2) The software.
> 3) The timeframe.

Right. That is where cost of labor vs. cost of
infrastructure comes into play. Right now there is
duplication of effort in content updates. That is a
money sinkhole. A simple switch of tool
(infrastructure) costs a flat amount (add more for
training, also a fixed cost), and can be made up
easily if it eliminates the duplication sinkhole. 

Now, given the two tools and the objective (which is,
to single-source), there is another cost analysis that
needs to be calculated: time and effort vs.
productivity. FrameMaker is a much more robust content
authoring tool than RoboHelp. Both products can
produce print and online deliverables out of the box.
But, look at the quality of output, and available
add-on tools that increase quality and decrease
time/effort overhead. RoboHelp loses in all three, as
though it helps you produce nice help systems, its
print output is minimally acceptable (at least to my
standards), and it is not easy to add on or couple
with another tool to increase its output quality.

=====
Goober Writer
(because life is too short to be inept)

"As soon as you hear the phrase "studies show",
immediately put a hand on your wallet and cover your groin."
      -- Geoff Hart

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