WORD, A Word Processor. Was: The Tools Tech Writers Use

[Bernie McCann <BernieMc -at- AOL -dot- COM>]

Horace;

In a message dated 98-08-01 12:04:46 EDT, you write:

<<
 However, that popular word process, Word, is certainly no better (Ed. Than
FrameMaker), and
 particularly Word97, a giant leap backward.
   >>

I think that this paragraph is lacking some detail.

Are you suggesting that MS Word should be the equal of FrameMaker?

Or, are you complaining because of the difficulty of sending Frame files
directly to Word?

MS Word is a WORD PROCESSING tool, and FrameMaker is an ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING
tool.  Therefore, I doubt (I may be making a big assumption here) that Bill
Gates intends, ever, to develop Word to equal FrameMaker.  Similarly, it seems
to me, that as long as this differential exists, how can we expect FrameMaker
files to be truly compatible with Word (Of course, one wouldn't expect a
problem sending Word files to the high-end Frame, but why would you send them
back to Word anyway?).

Ever since Stone Age man developed tools to produce the wonders of the world,
some have used those tools to great advantage, while others complain about
them.  Why?

Remember the guy who developed a plane that could land, fold its wings, and
drive down the road, or the design for a car that could cross a lake, or ....
oh well, you know.

IMHO, while being sympathetic to those of us with an uneducated boss, surely
we should be educating the boss instead of beating-up on Word all the time.
Believe me, bosses enjoy being educated because, then, they look good to their
boss.  Once proving the "need" of additional hardware, software, and staff, if
this reveals a budget problem, then, why not consider contracting the work
outside?  I would not wish to buy the main product from a company that says,
just do the best that you can, for the publications.

Bernie
Word & Frame User

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