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I know that this subject is tiresome, but I really need some advice before I
go crazy!
I just started a new job as the Documentation Manager. During my negotiation
period, I expressed my concern about their DTP tools (namely, the only tool
that they use is Word). No flames please.
The manager said, "No problem; we're gadget lovers, and we'll get you
anything that you need."
On Tuesday and Wednesday, I spent all hours of the night hashing through the
ins and outs of adding hyperlinks, TOCs and just plain numbering the darn
document correctly. I was truely in tears.
Can someone please tell me why you like using Word? Or, why companies still
use this tool for documentation? Is it only because Frame is expensive? Is
it because everyone has Word, so it's more compatible to send
electronically? I've suggested that they send pdfs to customers, etc., but
they want to be able to change items as needed. <scream!>
I can't figure it out. I'm sure that I'll stick it out and learn all that I
need to produce a reasonable document. I'll remain flexible and learn as
much as I can about my subject (cool stuff to write about and the only
reason that I didn't start looking again).
Thanks for listening to me rant and sorry to sound so spoiled. It's hard to
work with high-end tools then go back to scrambling through the menu items
to insert the correct page number!
Plus, it's been a heck of a few weeks with no sign of "we'll get you
anything that you want..." in sight!
the doc_writer
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