The easiest way to do it is the following: 1. Have 7 Frame book files 2. The book files can share chapter files that are mostly similar; likewise, they don't share chapters that are radically different for each manual. 3. Within the chapters, apply conditional text to the minor differences
With this method, you simply set the conditions as needed before your build your book. When you build your book or PDF, you generate the manual and only the text conditioned to that manual displays. This is the method that I use. It's much easier, cheaper and manageable then DITA. -Gillian -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Joel Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 5:36 AM To: framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: re-use 101 I am using Frame 8. I have a set of seven manuals that are close to 100 pages each. Many sections of these manuals are identical, some sections differ in detail in minor ways, and fewer sections differ in more substantial ways. Currently they are all Frame books with each chapter being its own file within the book. There is no re-use of anything at the moment. This is becoming increasingly burdensome to maintain, as a change to something that appears in all seven manuals requires me to make that change manually in all seven files. I would like to get to re-use, or single-sourcing, but I'm puzzled as to how to get there. Would the best strategy be: (a) To use conditional text and generate several versions; (b) To try and convert everything to XML and sew things together based on individual XML files; (c) Something else? I have zero XML knowledge, and whenever I read about it, my head hurts. I am willing to learn, but the benefit needs to be commensurate with the pain involved in learning. I'm looking for the simplest solution that allows for some common source material using my existing Frame configuration. Ideas are appreciated. Joel _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as gflato at nanometrics.com. Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/gflato%40nanometrics .com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
