Training: Web-Based | On-Site | "Interspondence" | In Israel

Web-Based Training

• Web-based courses
  3.5-hour sessions, including two 15-minute breaks; scheduled hours adjusted to fit participants' time zones;
  group size is typically 3-5 participants (web-based courses are not cancelled in cases of low enrollment) [registration form]
  
  
  • FrameMaker:
    
    
    • FrameMaker-to-PDF Advanced Techniques:
      (A) Built-in FM-to-PDF features (2 sessions: June 22, 24)
      (B) Enhanced interactivity and automation (2 sessions: June 29, July 1)
      (C) Testing PDFs (1 session: July 7)
      For experienced users of FrameMaker and Acrobat who want to create/maintain high-quality, interactive Acrobat PDF files.
      Parts A, B and C can be taken as a complete course or separately.
      Price: (A) = US$300;  (C) = US$150;
      (B) = US$450, includes single licenses for FM-to-Acrobat TimeSavers + Zenserve Marker Madness (total value US$220!);
      (A)+(B)+(C) = US$900, includes single licenses for FM-to-Acrobat TimeSavers + Navigation Assistant + Zenserve Marker Madness + ARTS Aerialist (total value US$819!)
      
      
    • FrameMaker Template Design (6 sessions: July 2009; US$700)
      For experienced FrameMaker users; packed with information, tips & tricks to make template planning, design and maintenance easier.
      
      
    • Single Sourcing with FrameMaker (2 sessions: July 2009; US$300)
      For experienced FrameMaker users who want to take advantage of the single-sourcing potential of FrameMaker.
      
      
    • Using FrameMaker (5 sessions; US$650)
      For newcomers to FrameMaker experienced with word processing or desktop publishing programs, or for technical writers who have been using the software, who want to acquire a full, in-depth knowledge of FrameMaker. Intensive & fast-paced (computer per participant). Topics include: paragraph and character formats -- applying, creating and modifying; variables; cross-references; searching for and changing text, formats and objects; using FrameMaker templates; autonumbering; anchored frames; creating and editing graphics using FrameMaker drawing tools; importing graphic files; tables and table formats; master pages and pagination features; reference pages and referenced graphics; generating a table of contents, index and other lists; FrameMaker books.
      
      
  • Acrobat: (independent of the authoring tool used)
    
    
    • Testing PDFs (1 session: July 7; US$150)
      Based on a comprehensive checklist, includes principles & techniques for testing PDFs of different types and detailed guidelines relating to the following categories: PDF Type & Usage, Essential, Printing, Online, Interactive, Forms, Web, Document Collections.
      
      
    • Building a Front-End Interface to Document Collections (1 session: July 9; US$150)
      Do you have numerous documents -- such as guides, help documents, white papers, technical specifications, spreadsheets, drawings, marketing materials and case studies -- each linked to a different application or accessible in different locations in the directory structure? Would your users appreciate easy access to all these different materials through a single main menu, structured like a web site? Learn how to create the navigation structure in PDF, how to link different document types, and how to create searchable PDF CDs/directories.
      
      
      
      
• "Improve Your FrameMaker Skills" web-based training sessions
  1 hour each. Participants receive presentation slides + sample files [registration form]
  
  • Character Formats, July 9 (starting 10am PDT)
    Uses of character formats, defining universal character formats, naming and management, tips and tricks
    
  • Table Of Contents Demystified, July 16 (starting 9:30am PDT)
    Explores the different mechanisms involved in setting up Table of Contents (and other generated files, such as List of Figures, List of Tables), demonstrating techniques, common glitches and useful workarounds
    
  • Mastering Running Headers/Footers, July 16 (starting 11am PDT)
    Techniques for smart retrieval of information from body pages into running headers/footers. How to automate your work by specifying paragraph tags, Running H/F markers, Running H/F variables and conditions
    
  • FrameMaker Hypertext, July 23 (starting 10am PDT)
    Hypertext markers are automatically translated to PDF/HTML outputs. Add interactivity and enhancements to your documentation by inserting hypertext markers for navigation, activation of external files and programs (including e-mail clients and web browsers) and more
    
  • Table Tips & Tricks, July 30 (starting 9:30am PDT)
    Efficient handling of common table tasks, such as pagination of multi-page tables, better ruling/shading, adjusting dimensions and much more
    
  • Paragraph Overrides, July 30 (starting 11am PDT)
    Paragraph format overrides can make document updates cumbersome and cause the document layout to lose consistency. Demonstrates how overrides are created (intentionally or unintentionally), how to avoid them, and how to identify and fix existing overrides
    
  • Conditional Text, August 6 (starting 10am PDT)
    When to use conditional text; defining, applying and managing conditions; pitfalls, bugs & workarounds
    
  • Text Editing and Spelling Techniques, August 13 (starting 9:30am PDT)
    FrameMaker's text editing and spelling tools are outdated and limited. Learn little known techniques to make editing and spell-checking easier
    
  • Paragraph Autonumbering, August 13 (starting 11am PDT)
    FrameMaker paragraph autonumbering works well once defined properly, but the underlying mechanism can be difficult to understand. Autonumbering can also be surprisingly versatile and serve purposes not related to numbering. Learn about autonumbering building blocks, structures, workarounds and additional uses.
    
  • Equations, August 20 (starting 10am PDT)
    An overview of FrameMaker's Equations palette and how to use it to create equations and simple syntax diagrams
    
  • Word-to-FrameMaker Conversions, August 27 (starting 9:30am PDT)
    Converting documents from Microsoft Word to FrameMaker can be time-consuming and frustrating. This training session demonstrates how to optimize the process by preparing the source Word files in advance and use various techniques in FrameMaker to improve the result with less effort.
    
  • Indexing Essentials, August 27 (starting 11am PDT)
    Indexes can significantly enhance both online and printed documentation. This training session provides an overview of FrameMaker indexing features, demonstration of techniques and related recommendations.
    
  • Graphics -- Tips & Tricks, September 3 (starting 10am PDT)
    Best practices for handling items in anchored frames, including insertion and management of objects, text in graphic frames and miscellaneous tips & tricks
    
  • Handling Author Comments in FrameMaker, September 10 (starting 9:30am PDT)
    Work in progress includes open issues, preliminary content and follow-up. This training session discusses techniques for the insertion, management and tracking of author comments in source FrameMaker files, using markers, conditional text and custom paragraph tags.
    
  • Cross-Reference Tips & Tricks, September 10 (starting 11am PDT)
    Tips and tricks for improving cross-reference formats, more efficient insertion of cross-references, paragraph vs. marker-based cross-references, managing external cross-references, troubleshooting and more
    
    

"What I like best about these sessions is having access to your excellent training without having to wait for you to come to town, the ability to fit the sessions into a busy schedule, the convenience, and the low cost." -- Maureen Costantino, Production Manager  |  "This is top-drawer information at bargain-basement prices. The sessions are free of filler; they're generously populated with things I never knew and things I had forgotten. I'm looking forward to more session topics!" -- Douglas Cuff, Technical Writer   |  "Thank you very much for this tutorial -- even an old dog (15 years of FM) can learn new tricks from you!" -- Klaus Daube | "I picked up new skills that have already proven to be valuable in my day-to-day work. I look forward to the next series!" -- Karen Haley, Sr. Technical Communication Specialist