FM SGML

[tpi]

Hi,
I'm looking for somebody who uses Framemaker with SGML/XML technology, who
can advice me if in my case there is any sense to migrate to structured
documents organisation? Now I'am using FM 6.0 without SGML. It would be
great if the person would be from the country near Poland.
Best regards:
Daniel

[Jeremy Porter]

It depends on what you are trying to accomplish? There are a lot of
benefits to migrating to XML or structured documents:

Data is independent of application: In other words you don't depend on
Adobe to continue making framemaker. You can import your documents into
almost any xml editor.

Structure is knowledge: There is a lot of knowledge embeded in your
documents. It's much easier to get at it in structured documents than
unstructured.

Platform independent: XML is not dependent on Windows or Linux or any
of that. It's just plain text with markup tags.

Repurposing: XML can be repurposed easily. Frame documents...well...not
so much.

Conversions: If you want to import documents to another application
such Microsoft Word or some other format you can do it without the
expense of the FrameMaker application.

Give us some more indications of what you want to accomplish migrating
and we can give more advice that makes sense!

Thank you,

Jeremy

[tpi]

Post by Jeremy Porter
It depends on what you are trying to accomplish? There are a lot of
Data is independent of application: In other words you don't depend on
Adobe to continue making framemaker. You can import your documents into
almost any xml editor.
Structure is knowledge: There is a lot of knowledge embeded in your
documents. It's much easier to get at it in structured documents than
unstructured.
Platform independent: XML is not dependent on Windows or Linux or any
of that. It's just plain text with markup tags.
Repurposing: XML can be repurposed easily. Frame documents...well...not
so much.
Conversions: If you want to import documents to another application
such Microsoft Word or some other format you can do it without the
expense of the FrameMaker application.
Give us some more indications of what you want to accomplish migrating
and we can give more advice that makes sense!
Thank you,
Jeremy

Thank you very much for explanation.
Our application of Framemaker is generally technical documenation (Operators
Manuals, Spare Parts Catalogs, Technical Bulletin etc.) for machines which
our company produces.
The problem is, we have many types of machines but some parts of manuals are
the same. So far we are managing documenatation using book and conditional
text, but in future in seems it could be not enought. So it means we should
employ one or more techwriter(s) or find better tool which allow us to work
more effeciency.
On Adobe website I read article about company which reduced time needed for
documentation update by 30% by moving to structured documents. Thats why I
decided to explore that idea.
Could tell me where are you from?

Best regards:
Daniel

[hg]

Please, explain how to begin to create structured document if we know how to
use classic FM ?

Post by Jeremy Porter
It depends on what you are trying to accomplish? There are a lot of
Data is independent of application: In other words you don't depend on
Adobe to continue making framemaker. You can import your documents into
almost any xml editor.
Structure is knowledge: There is a lot of knowledge embeded in your
documents. It's much easier to get at it in structured documents than
unstructured.
Platform independent: XML is not dependent on Windows or Linux or any
of that. It's just plain text with markup tags.
Repurposing: XML can be repurposed easily. Frame documents...well...not
so much.
Conversions: If you want to import documents to another application
such Microsoft Word or some other format you can do it without the
expense of the FrameMaker application.
Give us some more indications of what you want to accomplish migrating
and we can give more advice that makes sense!
Thank you,
Jeremy

[Jeremy Porter]

First of all I am in the United States.

To create a structed document out of a standard FM document you need to
have/do a couple of things:

1. You need an application like docbook configured
2. You need a table of rules. You can create a very simple one
automatically from Frame in structured mode. In version 7.0 you can use
either mode but you need 6.0 structured or 7.0 to do this.
3. Once you have the rules written you can basically automate the
structuring of your documents.

I maned to convert somewhere around 6000 documents from unstructured to
structured almost completely automatically with basic rules and frame.

I would recommend you download the trial version from adobes website
and give it a go. I personally prefer structured documents because of
the ease of which we can attach styles export/import etc.

Thanks,

Jeremy