Understanding Scriptorium Publishing training options

Understanding your training options

Scriptorium Publishing now offers several different training options for FrameMaker and XML. Each option is described in more detail after the summary table.

Training type	Cost	Delivery	Client-specific	Instructor-led	Hands-on exercises	Technical support	Travel cost	Shipping charges
PDF workbook	$49.95	Immediate download	No	No	Yes	Yes	None	None
Printed workbook	$119	Shipped	No	No	Yes	Yes	None	Basic: free to U.S. addresses Expedited and international: see shipping information
Public web-based class	$413–$825	Scheduled	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	None, but student pays long distance charges for audio portion of the class.	None; student receives electronic copies of workbook and exercise files.
Private web-based class	request quote	Scheduled at client request	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	None, but client pays long distance charges for audio portion of the class.	None; client student receives electronic copies of workbook and exercise files.
Private classroom training	request quote	Scheduled at client request	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Instructor travels to client site.	Actual cost of shipping materials to your site.

Workbooks

Scriptorium Publishing offers five workbooks for FrameMaker. When you order a printed workbook, you receive a spiral bound workbook with a CD. The CD contains files needed to complete the exercises and animated screen shots with voice-over narration that explain concepts.

When you order the workbook as a PDF file, you download the workbook file and the exercise files. The PDF file provides hyperlinks that take you directly to animated screen shot files on Scriptorium Publishing's web site.

NOTE: We strongly recommend that you use Publishing Fundamentals: FrameMaker 7 (formerly published as FrameMaker 7: The Complete Reference) as a companion reference book. You can purchase and download Publishing Fundamentals from Scriptorium Publishing's online store.

Workbooks are the most inexpensive learning option. You can download a workbook, begin work immediately, and work at your own pace. By offering electronic versions of the workbooks and eliminating instructor interaction, we can provide you with an inexpensive way to learn the material.

Web-based classes

Web-based classes offer a reasonable compromise between "do-it-yourself" workbooks and classroom training. You have instructor-led training, and you can ask questions as you work. Because students are not in the same physical location, travel costs are eliminated.

Web-based classes include the following components:

Live instruction, application sharing (for example, a demo of how something works in FrameMaker), and a presentation that supports the instructor's discussion.
Direct interaction with the instructor. Participants can ask questions via an audio bridge and chat.

Our web-based classes take about four hours of your time each day. You spend two hours in the virtual classroom with your instructor and other students, and you spend another two hours completing exercises on your own.

We set times for web-based classes after we receive registrations: we try to accommodate all students' time zones. We often schedule classes between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Eastern time because those hours are convenient for multiple zones.

Participants in web-based training receive electronic copies of workbooks. Participants in FrameMaker classes should consider purchasing Publishing Fundamentals: FrameMaker 7 (formerly published as FrameMaker 7: The Complete Reference) as a companion reference book. Publishing Fundamentals is available in Scriptorium Publishing's online store.

Private training

Private training offers several advantages: you get the instructor's undivided attention for your issues, and you can customize the curriculum to meet your exact requirements. For larger groups, private training may actually be less expensive than public training, especially if you factor in travel costs for classroom training. Private classroom training is the most effective training approach, but it is also quite costly.

You can reduce the cost of private training by setting up a private web-based class. This approach is especially appealing if the students are dispersed geographically.

Training priorities and possible solutions

What is your top priority?	Solutions
Reducing cost	PDF workbooks are our lowest-cost option. Web-based training is less expensive than classroom-based training. For 5 or more students, private training is generally less expensive than public training. Remember to factor in travel for the students (for training at our site) or for the instructor (for training at your site). Contact us for a private training quote.
Eliminating travel	For a group of students, consider private training at your location. If on-site training is cost-prohibitive, consider web-based training. Finally, you can learn on your own with workbooks.
Reducing travel costs	You can eliminate travel costs by choosing workbooks or web-based classes. If you have more than a couple of students, consider private on-site training; the instructor will travel to your site.
Interaction with the instructor (and other students)	Student and instructor interaction is strongest in a traditional classroom setting. Consider web-based training if cost is a major consideration.
Including custom material in class	Private training allows you to customize the course curriculum to your requirements. We can deliver private training as web-based or classroom training.
Scheduling	Choose private training to set up a class at your convenience. Online workbooks are available for immediate download.