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

In Israel

Registration form is a fillable PDF.
Notes:
-- Contact me if the course you need is not scheduled or the dates do not suit you
-- Classes are held in Kfar Yona. Custom training is available for groups or individuals (Kfar Yona or on-site)

• Single Sourcing with FrameMaker, September 13 [detailed description]
  For experienced FrameMaker users who want to take advantage of the single-sourcing potential of FrameMaker. Learn how FrameMaker can help you use the same source material in different forms and contexts: combine the same files in different FrameMaker books, use conditional text, text insets, special text (variables, cross-reference, autonumbering) and color views to create multiple product versions within one set of documents. You can also apply different templates to the same material so that online help and PDFs designed for screen reading can be automatically derived from the FrameMaker files with the correct formatting.
  
  
• Photoshop for Technical Communicators, October 11
  Photoshop techniques, tips & tricks for technical communicators; efficient handling of screen captures and hardware photographs.
  
  
• Designing Video Demos for Software Documentation, October 12
  When providing electronic documentation (training, online help, marketing materials), you can create much more than a PDF of the printed version. Learn how to demonstrate processes and functions with movie clips; how to plan, script and storyboard a movie clip; how to record the workflow, edit the movie and add titles, callouts and captions; and how to integrate the movie into the documentation. The course also covers setup, output formats and options and tools (Camtasia and Captivate are demonstrated).
  
  
• Using Captivate to Create Video Demos and Software Tutorials, October 13
  For technical writers and instructional designers. Topics include: overview; recording; text captions; mouse pointer paths, buttons and highlight boxes; images; rollovers and zoom areas; slide labels and notes; audio; libraries; publishing (web, PDF); animation, Flash video and widgets; branching; skins and templates; design templates; dynamic table of contents; aggregator; Adobe Captivate Reviewer; system and user variables; advanced actions.
  
  Note: The "Designing Video Demos" and "Using Captivate" courses complement one another. "Designing Video Demos" teaches you how to envision the desired end result, script it and plan for it. "Using Captivate" covers the technical use of Captivate to create videos, slideshows and effects. When the two courses are taken together, there is a 10% discount (with the early payment option, total discount on both is 20%).
  
  
• Structured FrameMaker: Authoring, October 19
  Topics include: setting up the work environment; Structure view; working with elements and attributes; validating a structured document.
  
  
• Structured FrameMaker: Developing EDDs & Other Tools, October 20+21
  Topics include: document analysis; defining elements and formats; defining attributes; writing element definitions; handling unstructured legacy documents; generating and updating conversion tables; DITA; XML round-tripping.
  
  
• Using FrameMaker (hands-on), October 25+26+27
  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.
  New: a personal Mif2Go license is provided to participants
  
  
• FrameMaker for Translators, October 28
  Translators use FrameMaker differently from technical writers. This concise course provides an overview of FrameMaker and demonstrates methods and best practices when editing text and generating output. Topics include: typical localization workflows (including the use of MIF and translation memory); special text objects: variables, markers, cross-references, headers/footers, reference page text items; text in graphics; Language settings and where to modify these; layout/pagination controls; book updates and generating output.
  
  
• Visually-Oriented Documentation, November 1
  (Not authoring-tool specific)  Readers do not have the patience for wordy descriptions and often latch onto the graphics as their main reference point. This seminar discusses various methods for using layout, table and graphics cleverly so that your documentation is leaner, more usable and easier to localize.
  
  
• FrameMaker-to-PDF Advanced Techniques [detailed description]:
  Day 1: Built-in FM-to-PDF features, issues and workarounds, November 2
  Day 2: Enhanced interactivity and automation, November 3
  For experienced users of FrameMaker and Acrobat who want to create/maintain high-quality, interactive Acrobat PDF files. The seminar is divided into two parts, taught on day 1 and day 2; you can take either of the days, or both.
  Note: seminar does not include software add-ons
  
  
• Interactive 3D Models in PDFs with Acrobat 3D/Pro Extended, November 4
  How to incorporate interactive 3D visualizations in technical publications. Topics include: creating multiple views & cross sections; lighting settings; Acrobat 3D Toolkit: adding materials, creating animations and exploded views; enhancing 3D interactivity with Acrobat JavaScript; part measurements; comments and markups in interactive 3D models; converting models from CAD to U3D and PDF; capturing models from CAD.
  Sample 3D PDFs are available at the Showcase section; seminar techniques apply to Acrobat 3D and Acrobat Professional (PDFs viewed in Adobe Reader), independently of the authoring tools being used.
  
  
• FrameMaker Template Design, November 8+9 [detailed description]
  For advanced FrameMaker users; packed with information, tips & tricks to make template planning, design and maintenance easier.
  
  
• Handling Graphics in FrameMaker, November 10
  For experienced FrameMaker users who have completed the Using FrameMaker course or have equivalent knowledge. Topics include: graphic formats, importing and integrating graphics in documents (print/PDF/HTML outputs), maintenance and troubleshooting techniques, colors, using FrameMaker's graphic tools.
  
  
• FrameMaker + RoboHelp Integration, November 11
  Focuses on the integration between the enhanced versions of FM 9 and RH 8 (Adobe Technical Communication Suite 2) or FM 8 and RH 7 (TCS 1.x). Topics include: overview and concepts; FM-to-RH style mappings; single-source and conditions; support for FM special text objects (variables, links, cross-references); source file optimization; indexes and glossaries; handling of graphics; incorporating SWF files (Captivate); context-sensitive help; output types and customization.
  
  
• Creating PDF Forms using Acrobat Professional / LiveCycle Designer, November 15
  For Acrobat users who need to create or maintain interactive PDF forms. Topics include: overview of PDF forms; form field objects, properties and actions (including buttons, text fields, check boxes and radio buttons); enhancing form functionality with JavaScript; digital signatures; providing built-in help; submitting form data; form design principles; converting paper forms to PDF.
  
  
• Advanced FrameMaker for Skilled Users, November 16
  If you are an experienced FrameMaker user, this seminar will help you hone your skills and work more efficiently. Learn advanced techniques and numerous tips & tricks, including importing content from other formats or documents, automating formatting, editing, graphics, tables, document/template maintenance, generated files, cross-references, variables, autonumbering, pagination, useful add-ons.
  
  
• Developing a Documentation Style Guide (1 day)
  (Not authoring-tool specific)  A style guide with rules and suggestions for document content, presentation and writing style is an important tool for maintaining consistency in company documents authored by different writers or at different times. Style guides can include language guidelines, terminology preferences, checklists, formatting rules and much more, but it is precisely because there is so much you can put into the style guide, that it is often not written at all. This seminar will help you plan and develop your own style guide, and determine what should and what should not be included, and at what level of detail.
  
  
• Exploring FrameScript (2 days)
  FrameScript is a user-oriented scripting language that you can use to create your own scripts to automate almost any FrameMaker task. Using FrameScript, you can manipulate FrameMaker objects such as books, text, graphics, tables, variables, cross-reference and markers. Topics include: when and why are scripts useful; ElmStudio; developing, testing and troubleshooting scripts: commands, messages and dialogs, subroutines and functions, lists; working with FrameMaker objects; adjusting existing scripts to suit your changing needs; developing a reusable code library; deploying and maintaining scripts.
  
  
• Acrobat JavaScript (1 day)
  Using Acrobat JavaScript for improved interactivity and smarter PDF forms. Topics include: Acrobat JavaScript fundamentals; App, Doc and Field objects and commonly-used methods and properties; events; JavaScript actions assigned to links/form fields, bookmarks and pages; document- and folder-level JavaScripts; batch sequences; debugging.
  
  
• Acrobat Comprehensive (hands-on) (2 days)
  For technical writers who want to acquire a thorough knowledge of the Acrobat suite of tools and how these can be efficiently used in document review cycles and for the distribution of document collections. Topics include: components of Adobe Acrobat -- overview, workflow, uses; Portable Document Format (PDF); creating PDFs -- settings and parameters; modifying and enhancing PDF documents; Acrobat-based document review cycles; testing and fine-tuning PDF documents; Acrobat-specific design; handling large PDF collections; add-ons, utilities and plug-ins; authoring interactive PDF documents with Office applications.
  
  
• Technical Indexing with FrameMaker (1 day)
  Indexing concepts & techniques (as applied to technical documentation); FrameMaker indexing-related features, techniques and add-ons.
  
  
• Electronic Document Review in Acrobat (half day)
  Topics include: review methods (email-based reviews, browser-based reviews, shared reviews); commenting tools; importing, exporting and summarizing comments; managing and tracking PDF reviews.
  
  
• Better PDFs with FrameMaker-to-Acrobat TimeSavers (1 day)
  How to improve and enrich PDFs authored in FrameMaker automatically & consistently using FrameMaker-to-Acrobat TimeSavers.
  Note: seminar fee includes one license for FrameMaker-to-Acrobat TimeSavers.
  
  
• PDF Clinic (9am-12:30pm)
  Get the focus of consulting at the price of a seminar! Bring your PDF files, and learn how to identify and solve problems and improve results (regardless of your authoring tools).
  
  
• FrameMaker Clinic (1:30pm-5pm)
  Get the focus of consulting at the price of a seminar! Bring your FrameMaker files and templates, and learn how to identify and solve problems, be more efficient and improve results.
  
  
• Acrobat: Designing Access to Information & Testing Your PDFs (1 day)
  Learn how to plan your PDF document collection wisely, so that information is accessible instantly -- making the most of Acrobat's capabilities, and avoiding its limitations. Aspects discussed include: advanced navigation & hypertext, planning multiple access paths, design & orientation principles, harnessing the hidden powers of the Search function.
  Testing PDFs -- 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, Web, Document Collections.
  
  
• Web-based course: Acrobat Essentials (2 half days)
  For marketing communicators, graphic artists, technical support personnel and others, who want to acquire a better knowledge of Acrobat tools and techniques. Topics include: creating PDFs with Office applications or from other sources; optimizing PDF files for delivery (web/e-mail/CDs); using PDFs in review cycles; basics of PDF forms.
  
  
• Web-based course: Building a Front-End Interface to Document Collections (half day)
  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 or HTML, how to link different document types, and how to create searchable PDF CDs/directories.
  
  

"I would like to thank you for a very informative and fascinating course. I had no idea Acrobat was so feature-rich and held so many possibilities. The course itself was just in the right pace and covered the essentials very well. It is a real pleasure to learn from an expert." -- Tali Shchori, Marketing Communications Manager, Ipex-Paragon | "The FrameMaker course was excellent. I enjoyed very much your quiet, but knowledgeable presentation and felt that you always maintained a high level despite varying levels of the participants. The material you provided was more than ample, is clearly set out and well explained." -- Paul Horwitz, Nova Measuring Instruments | "Thanks for a marvelous course! Everything was simply perfect, from the extensive handouts to the intensive, but enjoyable learning experience. I really appreciate your commitment to getting us all up to speed on FrameMaker." -- [name withheld]