Will 2014 be a blockbuster year? The year’s just begun and the new Adobe FrameMaker 12 is out. I’d call it Fast and Furious FM12-- because this latest release focuses on speed, in launch, productivity and collaboration. Continue reading ...
Adobe FrameMaker 11 Awarded a CODiE by SIIA
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) announced the recipients of the 2013 CODiE awards on Janurary 31, and awarded Adobe Systems "Best Solution for Integrating Content into the Workflow" for FrameMaker 11, released in July, 2012. Two other Adobe Systems products, Adobe CQ and Adobe Marketing Cloud were recognized for "Best Content Management Platform" and "Best Testing, Monitoring and Analytics Platform," respectively. Continue reading ...
TechWhirl’s Top 12 Technical Communication Articles of 2012
Another busy year comes to a close here at TechWhirl. The members of our Special Writers Group have a simple job description: write stories that matter to technical communicators, whether they read the discussion list or are otherwise occupied. The most popular TechWhirl technical communication articles of the year reveal a readership interested in both the big picture and the more practical. Continue reading ...
Adobe FrameMaker 11 Review (Full): The Good, the Bad, and the Structured Author
FrameMaker is as close to an industry standard tool that we technical communicators have. FrameMaker isn’t for everyone in every circumstance, but absolute cost should be the last factor to consider; value for your money should be the first. I can honestly tell you that I have four different versions of FrameMaker installed on my machine, and I see the value in every upgrade. Continue reading ...
Adobe FrameMaker 11 Review: TechWhirl First Look
Looking at the structured version of this authoring tool, I found the newest release of FrameMaker isn’t one of those mind-blowing updates, where you have to re-learn the whole interface. One of the core goals for this release was to get authors working more efficiently, so you’ll find that Adobe implemented all those little things you’ve been dying to have, like robust keyboard shortcuts and better scrolling/selecting. Best of all, the entire application is noticeably faster, especially if you’re working with a large file. Continue reading ...
TechWhirl First Look: Adobe Technical Communication Suite 4.0
Adobe Systems has provided some tantalizing hints as to when it would release the new Technical Communication Suite 4.0, and what might be in it. The when is today, July 24, 2012. And the what addresses a lot requests and requirements that TCS users have been asking for. The TCS team was listening, and the result is a nicely integrated set of tools that meet the future of technical communications head on. Continue reading ...
Session Summary: Adobe Tech Comm Suite Tool Seminar
During WritersUA 2012, Adobe® hosted a tool seminar with several presenters, each one speaking to a unique feature or in more detail on a feature of Technical Communication Suite (TCS). The package allows for authoring DITA-compliant content in FrameMaker®, publishing to multiple outputs with RoboHelp® and Captivate®, and adding images, demos or simulations with Photoshop® and Captivate. Outputs include print, PDF, EPUB, AIR®, WebHelp, XML and HTML. Continue reading ...
Technical Writer Tips and Tricks: PDF and Online Help Documentation Translation
Over the past few years, I’ve had to manage the translation into French of user guides and online help for TSX SecureFile. The documentation consists of PDF user’s and administrator’s guides produced using unstructured Adobe FrameMaker, and web-based online help produced using Quadralay’s WebWorks ePublisher. This article is based on a relatively simple scenario – a lone technical writer with a small number of manuals being translated into one language. Continue reading ...
Evangelizing, Myth-busting and the Future of FrameMaker
Tom Aldous, Director of Business Development and Product Evangelism for Adobe’s Technical Communications business, is a gracious man—he sat down with TechWhirl on several occasions to highlight the happenings in the world of FrameMaker and RoboHelp, discuss the issues pertaining to content management, selection and implementation of XML authoring and publishing tools. We found the conversations enlightening, informative, and entertaining. Continue reading ...