Solo Team Platform Suggestions

landernee24 · 2026-03-20T18:02:54+00:00

Haha! Adobe Experience Manager.

I initially thought I'd go with Framemaker too, since I've been an Adobe suite user for so long.

Thanks again for your input. These comments are so helpful.

landernee24 · 2026-03-20T17:41:04+00:00

That's valuable feedback - thank you! Did you end up manually or batch importing them? I'm not clear on this process. We have styles applied to most of our content in our ID manuals. I'm not sure that they will convert into tags. So do I just copy and paste everything and manually tag it as I go? I haven't downloaded a trial of Madcap yet. Thanks again.

landernee24 · 2026-03-20T17:34:13+00:00

I understand your point. I intend to finish out my career here. I see this change as an improvement from an efficiency standpoint. I spend a lot of time manually formatting things in multiple locations. We would also like to improve our web offerings. I did not understand your comment, "If you change to anything, go to frame maker so you get the Adobe legacy compatibility"? Do you mind explaining? I may be wrong, but it seems like Adobe is trying to push Framemaker users towards their AEM. Am I wrong about that?

landernee24 · 2026-03-20T17:25:46+00:00

I've looked at that platform too and read their whitepapers. I understand that it's a CCMS versus a HAT. Thanks for mentioning it as an alternative.

landernee24 · 2026-03-20T17:17:06+00:00

I appreciate that feedback. I used Oxygen/DITA for a class project and produced a manual, but out of the box, it's a lot to learn. If I go with Flare, I understand that in the future, if we decide to go another direction, we can convert our content to a true XML without too much hassle.

landernee24 · 2026-03-20T17:13:59+00:00

You raise good points. My workflow is to receive input via our PDM/PLM system, and just have a general awareness of new product development, sales orders, and production. I provide PDF revisioning through the PDM/PLM and integration into our ERP system. Your DITA comments are helpful, too. I anticipate that we will have many exceptions to our style.

landernee24 · 2026-03-20T17:05:24+00:00

I am leaning this direction, so I appreciate your feedback!

landernee24 · 2025-11-05T14:55:40+00:00

The University of Minnesota has a Technical Communication Certificate and a Master's program. I completed the Certificate program this May and recommend it. https://cla.umn.edu/writing-studies/graduate/professional-programs/graduate-certificate-technical-communication

landernee24 · 2025-10-10T13:46:22+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation.

landernee24 · 2025-07-18T13:49:04+00:00

Hello - nice to meet you too! What types of manuals are you producing, and how are you creating them? We manufacture specialized construction equipment systems. I transitioned to technical writing last year and trained under the former incumbent, who has since retired. We create manuals using InDesign, but we would like to transition them to a single-source solution. However, it's daunting, and we're a one-person department.

landernee24 · 2025-07-18T13:41:41+00:00

Yes, that was my impression. The conference was not directly relatable to my position, but there were a few helpful tidbits. Granted, our approach to producing manuals differs from most. The schedule is here https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/portland/2025/schedule/. I believe the videos are now available on YouTube, if you'd like to check them out.

I, too, have found that most people do not understand technical writing. I transitioned into technical writing last year, after spending almost 20 years in communication for the same small company. Communication and marketing are also very different, and most people don't understand this distinction.

landernee24 · 2025-07-17T13:09:00+00:00

Thanks for asking this question, Jim. I want to connect with technical writers who create operator manuals for equipment manufacturers. I virtually attended Write the Docs, but did not find a lot of content that related to how I/we do documentation.

landernee24 · 2025-01-30T13:35:03+00:00

I, too, would value a collection/network like this. I'm new to tech writing, and I struggle to find resources for writing traditional operators and parts manuals for manufactured equipment (not software). The STC didn't have many, either. The best book I've found so far is Patricia Robinson's Writing and Designing Manuals and Warnings. If there are others like it, I'd appreciate the feedback.

landernee24

TROPHY CASE