Maxwell Hoffmann wrote: > Matt, > > Another major benefit of structured FrameMaker is "context sensitive > formatting," which I believe was mentioned before by another forum > member. An added detail is that you can reuse "generic" element tags > which will look dramatically different in different contexts. > > Hi, Matt:
Maxwell's point and example about how useful context-sensitive formatting rules can be is right on. However, this ability to interpret the rules you create in your EDD, blurs the line between several aspects of structured FrameMaker. Structured element design is required so the rules know each element's "identity," or definition. The rules can't function without clear instructions and clear identification of each element. It's something like you can't have a terrific automatic zillion-position-adjustable-programmable-memory car seat without having the car, the power to run the seat, and having spent the time learning to adjust the seat, to capture the settings for each user, and how to recall each user's setting. Context-sensitive formatting is terrific! No doubt about it. But, you get the most return on your learning investment by having documents that often require the kind of manual effort that's worth turning over to the smart rules-inforcer, to gain efficiency. HTH ________________ Regards, Peter Gold KnowHow ProServices