RE: Replacement pages for user's guides

[Dowdell Charles <Charles.Dowdell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Change Page packages are a fantastic solution to a true
information/cost/value dilemma. 

Unfortunatly, FrameMaker does not provide the easiest methods of satisfying
this need. You must work outside the box a little bit to manage and provide
the change page packages. 

The biggest challenge comes when the change pages are greater in number than
what you had a originally, either in a section of a book. Using dashed
Section-Page numbers can help a lot. 

The biggest thing I found to help in this area is to not use the # (Page)
character for page numbers. Use a Autonumber string instead. That makes is
easier for you to more easily add .1 type numbers for the additional pages. 


Charlie Dowdell 
The Raymond Corporation 
Manager, Technical Publications




-----Original Message-----
From: edunn@transport.bombardier.com
[mailto:edunn@transport.bombardier.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 9:28 AM
To: Robert Simpson; Framers@FrameUsers.com; Framers@Omsys.Com
Subject: Re: Replacement pages for user's guides




While you may be right about some audiences, the practice of change pages
makes
sense for many audiences and industries. As your post specifically mentions
software, I suppose what you say is entirely true about software. But in the
aviation, transportation, military, and heavy equipment world, change pages
are
often the norm, are part of the culture, and are in fact the best solution.

"simply sending every customer a completely revised manual" is a ridiculous
suggestion if you have to send hundreds (or thousands) of copies of a binder
that is thousands in size. Often the changes are of such importance that the
information can not wait until the whole manual is re-released. And if the
binder is just one of dozens in a manual set, why not have change pages if
you
are going to have "change binders" anyway? Asking the customer to do your
work
by monitoring your website instead of doing the wok yourself and notifying
them
directly, in some conditions will not only lead to loss of customers, but
also
loss of life of damage to equipment.

I would even argue that the practice of change pages is relevant in the
software
industry for sectors involving large enterprise type installations or
complex
interdependent systems.

Eric L. Dunn



Please respond to "Robert Simpson" <Robert_Simpson@quickeagle.com>

To:   framers@FrameUsers.com (Framers List)
Subject:  Re: Replacement pages for user's guides



I guess that I also would have to ask why you're doing this.  The cost is
high
in terms of the time it takes to keep all the addresses of where to send the
pages, packaging, preparation, etc  In the research that has been conducted,
most replacement pages are not even used by the customers to whom they're
sent
for many reasons:  the pages don't get to the right people, just aren't
bothered
with, get lost, etc.  Remember the loose-leaf software manuals of old?  They
got
out of that business fast!  You're lucky to even get a manual today!  Many
you
print yourself from PDF files accessible via websites.

I'd suggest simply sending every customer a completely revised manual or, if
your customers have internet access, make the information available through
a
website.  In short, exploit the technology that is available to make your
life
easier in the new millenium.

Bob Simspon
Quick Eagle Networks
Victor, NY




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