🚀 go-pugleaf

Check out the templates that Frame provides and you might get the impression that Frame can do anything. Yes it can, but with limitations such as those indicated in Tim's posting. And yes, I have worked with graphics designers to implement newsletter type publications in Frame. But not because Frame was the right tool. Rather because it was the tool available and known to the content providers. In addition, these newsletters were destined for internal company use and not for use where page layout considerations were prime motivations. 

PageMaker also has it's limitations. It seems to be targeted at the business user who may not have access to graphics specialists or a need for the detailed controls available in InDesign. 

It's clear there are considerable overlap in the three products and there must be lots of projects that could be done equally well with any of them. This, of course, makes choosing one product quite difficult. I would say that it would be even foolish for a professional publications outfit to use just one product. Take Tim's advice and all of them. 

Having said that, however, the three products seem to me to have three clearly defined markets: 

Pagemaker for short, one-off documents where page layout is important but rapidity and simplicity of production are also significant. Business users for internal consumtion seem to be the natural buyers. 

FrameMaker for technical publications where automation of TOC and Indexes and other lists and links, consistent presentation over many documents, and strict separation of the tasks of page layout and content creation is the norm. Single sourcing for multiple publication channels is aslo a Frame feature. Technical publications departments charges with product documentation for customers seem to be the natural buyers. 

InDesign (same market as QE) where professional page layout staff need (and understand) the handling of the complexities and subtleties (is that really spelt like that?) of the interaction of type and graphics on the printed page. Use it for short publications where page layout impact can be more significant than the actual contents. Advertising, high impact brochure, corporate report pubication agencies seem to be the natural buyers here. 

Don't let the Frame interface influence decisions. It's not difficult, just different. Two or three days training or the Adobe Classroom in a Book series will quickly get users productive. However, Frame template design is not quite so simple. Depending where you work, it should be possible to get either specialist training or hire a Frame expert. As a graphics person I am sure you'll not forget to ensure that the Frame expert has the neccessary graphics background or regularly works with page layout experienced people. 

I don't think posting a list of typical documents will allow anyone to help you further in this forum. If you still have some perplexities, persuade the bean counters to invest in professional advice after the consultant has had time to study your publications and processes. At European prices 5 to 10 days at $600 a day plus travel and subsistence may seem expensive, but it is generally a lot cheaper than choosing the inappropriate tools. 
Cheers 
Ian