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Basically, you have defined the core competency if InDesign. It is page layout with the emphasis on typographic layout. I don't mean it in a derogatory way, InDesign core competencies are in layout, not large, complex technical support documentation.
One can program using notepad, but there are much better tools designed for programmers.
Scott T.
On Sep 24, 2013, at 10:40, Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>> For those technical authors who need to create help systems, round-trip
>> XML, work with DITA, or create SCORM-compliant output, InDesign's
> inability
>> to do these makes FrameMaker the logical choice.
>
> Yes, I totally agree with the statement above.
>
> Still, from a usability standpoint alone, I'll take ID over FM any time 1)
> I have the opp'y to make that choice, and 2) do not have to deal with the
> complexity of the above.
>
> Given my druthers, I'm really a marcom guy with a techhead bent who can
> crank out a legacy-style user manual when required. Give me a blank canvas
> and the directive to "create a splashy product brochure that hits all of
> our salient features, plus tells our story in the most efficient manner
> possible" and I'm in heaven.
>
> If I had a chance to go document Aerojet technical papers, I'd throw myself
> into it and learn their required processes, but there you have it.
>
>> Chris
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 6:17 AM, Peter Gold <peter -at- knowhowpro -dot- com> wrote:
>
>>> Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 08:24:26 -0400
>>> From: "Rick Quatro" <rick -at- rickquatro -dot- com>
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I am new to the list and work with both FrameMaker and InDesign. I am
>>> working with a client that is looking at using InDesign for their
>> technical
>>> documentation. They want to know if other tech writers are using
>> InDesign,
>>> as opposed to FrameMaker or Word, etc. Does anyone know of any data or
>>> surveys that might show where InDesign stands in the technical
>> publications
>>> world? Thank you very much.
>>>
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