TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
I've just taken a tech writing role where I'm the only writer in a team of
engineers. The previous writer has moved on and I've inherited his old
documents.
One of the first things I did was to convert the existing manuals from one
(long!) document to book format, although I'm now not sure this was the my
most brilliant idea, mainly for the following reason:
One of the project managers here has asked me to come up with a way of
comparing document versions, so that customers can see exactly what has
changed between one version and another, like with the Word Track Changes
feature (a change history table already exists, but he wants more detail).
I've just finished updating a book, so I tried the FM Compare Books feature.
First problem, the composite docs are strewn all over the shop, and I had to
re-assemble them into book format.
But, secondly and most importantly, it hasn't worked! Frame has marked some
text and tables as changed (inserted) when they haven't been touched, and
hasn't marked some things that HAVE been changed.
There is no way I can deliver the document in its current state to the PM,
never mind a customer.
Any ideas of how to improve this 'feature' or of other methods I could try?
I've already tried comparing the two pdfs, but frankly, the result of that
was even worse than Frame's efforts.
I'm all out of ideas, so any help will be much appreciated.
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-