Basics - how do topics get moved into books to create, say, an O&M manual

[NKB69]

Hi forumers - my first post here!

I've just fired up Fm 2017 and am a complete novice.

I understand the DITA concept but cannot grasp how DITA topics are "injected" into maps or books with master pages and reference pages etc.

In short - how do I assemble topics into an illustrated document with a fixed style.

Are there any books I could look at?

Thanks in advance

NKB69

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Are you sure you want to tackle structured FM if you're a novice FM user? If so, you're going to need a lot of training on how to make it work. I'd suggest contacting either Matt R. Sullivan (techcomtools.com) or Barb Binder (rockymountainingtraining.com).

[NKB69]

Thanks Jeff.

I'm in England so will source local training.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

They both do remote training sessions via the web - I don't know any UK structured FM trainers off the top of my head. Are you really sure structured DITA is the way to go? It can be quite expensive to get things set up and output created.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

I'm pinging someone in the UK who might know - I'll post back if I get a contact for you.

[NKB69]

That's very kind Jeff. Thank you very much.

[Winfried Reng]

Hi,

As far as I know Mekon offers FrameMaker training in the UK.

http://mekon.com/ 

Possibly there are more. You might as the ISTC in the UK.

Best regards

Winfried

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Just heard back - Cherryleaf runs a couple of courses on Structured FM and creating EDDs - check them out at cherryleaf.com

[Russ Ward]

Hi NKB69,

Just to echo what some others have implied, you are attempting to launch a complex workflow without much experience behind you. Have you done the due diligence to determine that DITA is the correct technology to pursue? What are your goals and what do you anticipate will be the ROI? Lots of folks get gee-whizzed into this complicated stuff when they never really needed it in the first place, costing more to set up and maintain than the end result is worth. Certainly, the consultants who get paid to implement DITA workflows would offer a dissenting opinion, but that is business as usual.

I am a strong proponent of structured authoring and I believe DITA has a place at that table. But it is not every place. I hope that you have researched carefully your options with regard to your objectives. Buzzwords and concepts get tossed around so carelessly, which ends up in so many failed efforts and wasted money.

Just some thoughts, trying to help. Feel free to ignore.

Russ

[NKB69]

Hi Russ.

You've applied some relevant and practical braking to my DITA aspirations.

Given the size of our business and our product portfolio, this is not the path to take. Boeing we are not!

I will proceed with a DITAless approach.

Many Thanks

Neil

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

I would recommend getting a copy of one of Matt R. Sullivan's "bibles" on FM - Publishing Fundamentals (old, but still valid) or his newer ones Working with Content or Creating and Editing Content. Super useful to newbie FM users.