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.
Subject:Re: How to Learn FrameMaker From:Cathy & Rick Arthur <rarthur -at- BOND -dot- NET> Date:Fri, 23 Jul 1999 12:51:01 -0400
Hi Gail,
I have been learning Framemaker since March. I have a copy of Framemaker 3 (the price was right) and I have been teaching myself. I do not have a manual, but I do have the tutorial that came with it. That has been a good start.
I think the best way to learn is to have a large project to do. I have been designing and typing a community cookbook, which I will be including in my portfolio when I go looking for a job. This has forced me to learn many of the features. To learn how to bring files together as a book, generate a TOC and an index, I have been using Tom Neuburger's book 'Mastering Framemaker 5'. I love this book. The menu organization is somewhat different in 5, but I can figure it out from the explanations. I have it on loan from our local library while I try to locate a copy (It is out of print).
If you are looking for a manual to write while you learn Framemaker, you could ask at local social service agencies to see if they need a manual of sorts. Schools often need handbooks as well.
Cathy Arthur
----------
From: Gail Bernstein
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 1999 1:34 PM
Subject: How to Learn FrameMaker
How did you learn FrameMaker? Do you have books, CD-ROMs, and/or online
courses you recommend? I'm in no position financially to take a
face-to-face course, so I'm looking for lower-cost alternatives. I did get
a demo version and have played with it a little, but that's just a
beginning.
Thanks!
Gail
Gail S. Bernstein
Contract Technical Writer
(303) 832-5123
gailbernstein -at- earthlink -dot- net