🚀 go-pugleaf

As such, Word dominates the market between SimpleText and truly professional products such as InDesign. And, as expectations increase, MS can slowly ratchet up capabilities. No hurry.    

Word has some advantages over FrameMaker. Firstly, it is perceived as free by PHBs. Secondly, it is very available in many languages. Thirdly, it has decent import/export filters. Fourthly, it has a neat macro language. Fifthly, it is well integrated with Microsoft Office. 

However, Word is not a long document tool. 

 truly professional products such as InDesign   

FrameMaker is as professional as InDesign. FrameMaker and InDesign target different audiences with different needs. 

integration with Illustrator is theoretically perfect.    

Am not sure what you mean. Prior to version 7, FrameMaker did not have an import filter for Adobe Illustrator, everything had to come in as EPS. 

Every current client insists on me using Word,   

That's excellent, for you, because it will take you much longer to get the job done, and you can earn more money. Plus, if anyone else ever touches the files, they will break, and you'll earn more money fixing them. 

Cheers, 

Sean