Upgrading from TCS (FrameMaker 12/RoboHelp HTML 11) To do or not to do?

[TechWriterKat2]

I have been using a fairly ancient version of TCS that includes Frame 12 and RoboHelp HTML 11 for more than a decade now, and though I purchased a monthly subscription to the latest version (2020, I believe), I am terrified of the time-suck involved in converting, and what if things don't work? I am talking about 1600-page user guides developed in Frame and then LINKED in RoboHelp 11 for context-sensitive HTML help. These are complicated documents with lots of conditional processing, cross references, cross-document links, etc. I know how to do this in ancient TCS, but when I opened up the latest version I was COMPLETELY lost. I need to estimate the time involved, as well as get approval from the boss before diving in, or I need to just cancel the subscription and keep my stone tablet. Suffice it to say, I need some serious advice, and possible hand-holding here. Does Adobe Tech Support help with massive conversions like this with the subscription, or is this an extra charge? Is this something one of you kind community folks can help with? 

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

I'm in much the same situation as you with one of my projects - only I go the import route and have found that I have to go FM12 -> RH10 (I know!) -> RH11 -> HTML5. I don't think Adobe support has the time to go through the process with you, but I would take a copy of your current docs & project and play with it in the new versions (FM2022 & RH2022 just came out) in a location that doesn't impact your real production version. Take your time getting comfortable with how it converts, what fixes will be required, and how the New UI works.

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

That sounds like an awesome project!

I agree with Jeff, that converting a copy of your content would be the place to start. I generally suggest creating a ZIP of your working directory, then attempting to convert the files. If things aren't satisfactory, simply delete the converted files and restore the ZIP folder.

To my knowledge, Adobe doesn't offer any services to help with a conversion, but I (and others) do.

Happy to help on an hourly basis, if you'd like a guaranteed jump start on the process.

-Matt

Author, FrameMaker - Working with Content

[TechWriterKat2]

Thanks Matt -- I apprecate the offer--and I would love to take you up on it, once some issues above my head get resolved. When you say "hourly," what do you charge, or would you be doing this out of the kindness of your heart? 😁

[Matt-Tech Comm Tools]

Speaking from the "kindness of your heart" angle, you can book a free online session with me at sullivanmattr.youcanbook.me

After that, you'll have a better idea of what the scope of your issue is!

-Matt

P.S. A number of us (including me) are at the Adobe MAX conference as TA's this week...I won't be on the forum much until my return late Thursday night.

P.P.S. Anyone else reading this attending MAX as a TA or as an attendee?