Framemaker 10 VS. Word 2010

Report · Aug 30, 2011

Hi,

I have a task to come up with a business justification to move the product manuals from Framemaker 7.2 and Word 2003 to Frame 10. As the sole writer, I'm not using structured Frame, DITA, or XML. As an aside, could someone point me to a good discussion of the advantages of structured vs. unstructured Framemaker?

I know Framemaker is a solid tool and superior for large technical manuals but I need specific advantages over Word. For example, Word has stability problems with numbered and bullet lists, and a problem with floating graphics jumping around a page as you add or delete content.

I have looked at the online Upgrade Guide and did not see many features I can use except the table catalog and managing unused styles. I did not see mention of storing autotext entries.

I also looked through the Framemaker Reviewer's Guide and did not see anything I could compare to Word.

Can you folks help me come up with a list of pros vs cons? I'm surprised that Adobe does not have such a comparison, because Word vs. Framemaker is always the question because of the greater cost and the steeper learning curve with Frame, which causes many managers to force people to use Word for manuals, plus they tend to fall back to Word if they lose or layoff the writers who knew Framemaker.

Yours,

Michael F

Report · Aug 30, 2011

Michael,

For example, Word has stability problems with numbered and bullet lists, and a problem with floating graphics jumping around a page as you add or delete content.

In my book, that should be enough reason NOT to use Word. It is a major pain to redo lists that change from bullet to numbering and back. That reduces productivity a lot.

Also, Word is not good with long documents. There is no book concept in Word. I know there is a master file, but I have never used it and hear that it has problems. FrameMaker can create books in which each chapter is a separate document. The book keeps track of numbering across the documents, etc.

I am sure others will be able to add to your list.

Van

Report · Aug 30, 2011

This search string on Google got numerous promising hits:

framemaker microsoft word vs OR compared OR chosing

Report · Aug 30, 2011

Michael, I use unstructured FM9 because I also am the sole writer for a corporation. However, I remember reading somewhere several months ago that the main reason for choosing the structured FM route is when two or more tech writers contribute to the same documents. Hopefully, someone out there will elaborate more on this.

Ron Tillotson

Technical Writer

 Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Report · Aug 30, 2011

Hi,

Good tips so far. I'm slowly building my list.

Here are some specific questions:

Frame has system and user-defined variables but I don't think Word has anything analogous.

Frame now has, and Word has had, autotext (formatted text stored in a buffer for repeated use). How has Frame 10 implemented this feature?

Yours,

Michael F

Report · Aug 31, 2011

Word does have system and user-defined variables. In Word 2003, they're under the Custom tab of the File > Properties dialog. Not sure where they are in Word 2010.

FrameMaker 10 doesn't have an autotext feature (at least the way that it's implemented in Word), although you can get something similar using custom defined variables. Silicon Prairie Software does have an AutoText plug-in for Frame which more or less duplicates the Word feature: http://www.siliconprairiesoftware.com/Products.html

As others have said, Frame's stability is a BIG plus, especially if you have a lot of numbered or bulleted lists. It's also generally faster, espeicially with large documents. The cross-reference feature is much better than Word's. If you have to create multiple versions of similar content, conditional text is a life saver.

Regards

Keith

Report · Aug 31, 2011

Keith,

I did find that custom properties dialog in Word 2003. You have to add your own properties such as book title and then go to Insert Field, find the DocProperty field code, select your property from a sublist, and then insert it. I have Word 2007 at home and I'll bet it's a chore to do the same thing compared to Word 2003. Frame is much simpler since you do everything from the Variables dialog.

As for autotext, could you or anyone else explain how you can get formatted text into a Frame variable? I can only get it to store a text string preceded by a character format.

Can you store the following content in a Frame variable? Can you store it all in the current Frame 10 file?

heading [heading 2 tag]

Purpose [subhead para tag]

Electrical Work Type: 1 or 2 [subhead character tag]

Procedure [subhead para tag]

1. Put on protective gloves and safety goggles.

[icon for] [icon for]

[ gloves ] [goggles]

I have only been able to do such things by creating a separate Frame file.

For the extra $10, I'll gladly buy the Silicon Prairie addon if my company buys Frame 10.

Yours,

Michael F

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Report · Aug 31, 2011

Hi,

The Framemaker 10 reviewer's guide (this is a 100 MB PDF file, give me a break!) has a section on ExtendScript that reads as follows:

"FrameMaker® 10 lets you automate repetitive or time consuming tasks. Using ExtendScript, you can now even create your own scrips or load and run existing scripts."

Then there is a video that doesn't work.

Has anyone used this feature and how difficult is it compared to either Word Autotext or Word macros?

Yours,

Michael F

Report · Aug 31, 2011

ExtendScript is new to FM10, and there isn't yet much of a "user experience pool" for it, so you might not get much assistance in discovering pros/cons/features.

By contrast, there is a 3rd party scripting tool call FrameScript that is extremely well-supported plus it has a very wide and active user community; you might start by checking out the user group here:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/framescript-users/

Report · Sep 01, 2011

Michael314 wrote:
Hi,
The Framemaker 10 reviewer's guide (this is a 100 MB PDF file, give me a break!) has a section on ExtendScript that reads as follows:
"FrameMaker® 10 lets you automate repetitive or time consuming tasks. Using ExtendScript, you can now even create your own scrips or load and run existing scripts."
Then there is a video that doesn't work.
Has anyone used this feature and how difficult is it compared to either Word Autotext or Word macros?
Yours,
Michael F

Have you seen:

Blog Posts on extendscript

http://blogs.adobe.com/techcomm/2011/03/sample-scripts-utilities-shipped-with-framemaker-10.html

http://blogs.adobe.com/techcomm/2011/07/create-a-book-packager-using-extendscript.html

E-Seminar recording

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/event/index.cfmevent=register_no_session&id=1808717&loc=en_us

Overview documentation

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/framemaker/using/WSd5e89bb44d752f2f4e0f6b6612c81bacb1a-8000.html

InDesign users have had ExtendScript for many versions. Often a reply to a posted question about doing something in ID results in a quickly-created script being posted. Over the years, a body of free scripts has been created. IMO, being free, and relatively easy to get started, ExtendScript has encouraged many designers who never wanted to know about writing any kind of code, to dip their toes, as well as encouraging those who like to write code. FrameScript's entry cost plus aversion to coding probably have contributed to the relative FM users who write their own FrameScript. It's logical to think that, going forward, the use and value of FM's ExtendScript will grow as it has in ID.

HTH

Regards,

Peter Gold

KnowHow ProServices

Report · Sep 01, 2011

Peter,

Thanks for the informative description of ExtendScript. Being a Word hacker of many years, I have created my own menus and populated them wih autotext entries and simple macros for repetitive tasks.

Another question: If I were to get Frame 10, would there be compatibility problems since I have Acrobat 6? I think it would be safer to get the latest of both tools but does anyone have any bad experiences using an older version of Acrobat with a newer version of Frame?

Yours,

Michael F

Report · Sep 01, 2011

Michael314 wrote:
Peter,
Thanks for the informative description of ExtendScript. Being a Word hacker of many years, I have created my own menus and populated them wih autotext entries and simple macros for repetitive tasks.
Another question: If I were to get Frame 10, would there be compatibility problems since I have Acrobat 6? I think it would be safer to get the latest of both tools but does anyone have any bad experiences using an older version of Acrobat with a newer version of Frame?
Yours,
Michael F

You're welcome, Michael:

I'd suggest starting a new thread for your Acrobat version question, with an appropriate subject line. Some folks who have useful info might not be attracted to the subject of this thread.

Regards,

Peter Gold

KnowHow ProServices

Report · Sep 02, 2011

If I were to get Frame 10, would there be compatibility problems since I have Acrobat 6?

Very likely. I'd suggest starting a new thread to explore it, because there may also be some tips you need even if you plan to get full Acrobat X.

Report · Aug 31, 2011

One comment, but I don’t think I’ve seen this mentioned elsewhere: in long documents (200+ pages) I have found the page numbers in Word’s indexes to be inaccurate. They can be off by two or three pages, but not consistently, and not for all references in a document. My theory at the time was that the pagination changed between “Update index” and “Print” (even if the latter was done immediately after the former). Never did solve it.

FrameMaker’s indexes, however are solid – as are other “automatic” document features such as cross-references.

Report · Sep 01, 2011

Hi Michael,

two answers:

1. Microsoft and other writers who write for MS, often use FrameMaker themselves.
Word 2010 is a great tool for letters, and short reports/manuals.
2. Costs: The costs of a tool should be second priority.
The process, the quality and the reworking of a source is more important to check up.

- Maike

Report · Sep 01, 2011

Hi Michael,

I agree with Maike Roder.

MS Word, like a swiss knife (which is multi-purpose), has its uses. However, if you are in a trade, like a mechanic, you need real professional tools, not a swiss knife.

FrameMaker is a professional tool, and a very good one.

-dsurvivor