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I've used both Word and FrameMaker extensively. I think the only real intrinsic advantage of using Frame is its demonstrably greater stability. In every other way I find it much more limited than Word.
Frame does enjoy the ability to work with WebWorks Publisher, which lets you generate a help system from the Frame files. That gives you genuine single-source control for both documents and help. Of course, WebWorks comes with its own set of peculiarities that have to be accommodated. You have to spend a good bit of time fiddling with the styles to get the formatting of the help properly tuned.
What sort of trouble have you experienced with Word? Maybe there are workarounds. Those may not be good enough to convince you to stay with Word, but maybe they could make your life easier while you transition to a new document authoring system.
> From: Shannon Wade <SWade -at- daktronics -dot- com>
> Subject: Exploring new documentation options
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 10:18 AM
> We are currently in the process of exploring new software to
> write our manuals. We are users of Word 2007. We find it
> horribly inadequate to meet our documentation needs. Can
> any of you that work for software companies (or write
> software) offer any information?
>
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
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