I Don't Know Frame

Notes from an ignorant technical writer

By Alfred P M

I don't know how to use FrameMaker.

I don't know how to use RoboHelp either.

And, not that it matters much, but you can add Photoshop to that list.

Yes, I know I'm a heathen.

Why do they call it FrameMaker?

Does it actually make frames? Is there anything in it related to frames?

These are questions that I can't answer because I've never set my eyes on FrameMaker. I've heard of Frame (we're on a first name basis now), its magical powers and its ability to pound reams of documentation into submission, but I've never used it.

Microsoft Word (now I've really got your goat haven't I?) has been my tool of choice. Though I've hurled the occasional insult at Ballmer, Gates, and Co., I've been quite happy with Word.

To be fair to me, I did consider using Frame once and wanted to download the software to try it out, but it was a huge download and I gave up. Actually, I never clicked the link, but I did think about downloading Frame.

I am not sure if I'll ever get to learn Frame now. I'm just starting out as a freelance writer (read: I'm poor), and Frame's too expensive for me to buy. And, I have this thing about using pirated software, so there goes my chance of getting "trained" on Frame.

RoboHype

RoboHelp, I've actually seen and used. When I was evaluating which help authoring tool (HAT) to wear, I tried RoboHelp on for size. I downloaded it, tried one of the demo exercises. Brimming with confidence, I went to my (then) boss.

"We should buy RoboHelp."

"Have you tried it?"

"Yes. And everyone in the technical writing community uses it and they recommend it highly."

"Okay. Did you try the other products available?"

"It's the industry standard."

"Try it. Try some other tools and if you believe it's good we will buy it."

Whimper.

We ended up buying WebWorks Publisher for Word (WordHelp) 1.0. To my knowledge, my ex-company's still using it.

Ignorance is Bliss

So, my resume for tools that technical writers use currently reads like this: Microsoft Word (yes, it's a tool!) and WebWorks Publisher for Word.

That makes a grand total of 1 HAT. While people keep exhorting you to wear different hats (it was even the theme of an STC conference), I'm just a one-hat man so far. I guess I'm not promiscuous about hats.

Plus, I've pretty much shot myself in the foot by using Linux on my computer at home. As far as I know (which isn't very far) RoboHelp doesn't have a version for Linux. When I get Windows (I'm waiting for Longhorn), I'll contact Macromedia, or Adobe, or whichever company owns RoboHelp. Maybe I'll even get a freelancer discount.

Till then, I'll be stuck with user manuals on good old Word. Unless someone's willing to pay me to write documents in OpenOffice, of course.

Alfred P M is a freelancer living in Bangalore, who seems to spend all his free time blogging.

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