RE: Starting over - Slightly OT
Hi, If you're dealing with a lot of content reuse, you may want to at least consider AuthorIT. That'll let you use Word in a fairly safe setup - or so they say! Check it out - there's an evaluation version on their home page at http://www.authorit.com/. Not affiliated - not even a user - total Word-shunning Frame setup here ;o)! -Niels -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joseph Sims Sent: 19. januar 2007 19:42 To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Starting over - Slightly OT Framers, It's been a full three months since I last saw a Frame doc, having changed careers, companies, industries and most things that were familiar. I'm now tasked with managing the proposal process at a new place. Our proposals are 50-100 page documents (8-12 per month) with a mixture of original sales writing, stock content, and responses to questions. The deadlines are tight, and involve multiple, fairly willing contributors. It's like technical writing on speed, IMO. Deliverables are about 60% PDF and 40% paper. I think paper is declining rapidly. The process I inherited is Word-based. So my nice, clean template gets fairly polluted right away when pasting in client RFP questions, stock answers, and material created in Word by people who aren't in the document business. The good thing is there are few boundaries on change here. This process can literally be scrapped if I have a superior replacement that makes good sense. So if you could do it all over - what would you do? My thoughts: A. Office 2007 Word - This is supposed to have structured authoring. We'll wait for a demo. B. Structured Frame - I've never designed a structured template, and would I have to buy seats for all contributors? C. Structured Frame with Frame Server - I haven't heard a lot of people here mention it. We manage a file based, and growing content repository to help with proposal questions. Does it make sense? D. Arbortext - Pay to have all document issues resolved. Did I miss any? Did I miss the point of some? Thanks, Joe D. Joseph Sims Communications Group Manager Sutherland Global Services 1160 Pittsford-Victor Rd. Pittsford, New York 14534 Office - (585) 586-5757 *2447 Cell - (585) 967-4187 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/nfa%40maconomy.dk Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Easy on the eyes
Kevin, You wrote: Most of the time I spend actually staring at the screen (with no breaks) is in Frame... Well, there is nothing that will help you here, not color schemes, not lighting, not anything. Although using a small fan to encourage blinking is a clever idea. The only thing that will prevent discomfort and avoid potential injury (yes, injury!) is taking a break! possible injuries: reduced vision acuity, neck injuries, migraines, chronic tiredness, TMJ, and more. If it is difficult for you to tear yourself away from the screen, install a break timer on your computer ( I have used Ergotimer by Tropical Software for years). It doesn't have to be a long break - just a break. Some break suggestions: 1. Look away from your screen and focus on a pont as far away as possible (if you have a window look towards the horizon). 2. Cover your eyes with your hands so no light penetrates - do this in a way so your hands and shoulders avn elbows can be soft and relaxed. Close your eyes and gently move them right and center. After doing that a few times, gently move them left and back to center. Then alternate taking your eyes gently right and left. 3. Sit centered on your chair with your feet on the floor. Gently turn your head right as far as it will go comfortably and take your eyes along with your head. Do this a few times. Then when you turn your head gently and slowly right, take your eyes opposite - to the left. This will be a much smaller movement of the head. Be careful not to strain your eyes or neck. Do only what is in your comfort range. ATTENTION: Range of comfort does NOT mean as far as you can go!!! It means only as far as is completely comfortable. Repeat this to the left, taking your head and eyes left a few times and then your head left and eyes right. Gently turn your head right and left taking your eyes to the same direction. YOU are responsible for your own health. Take breaks, so you can work injury free. Leah Smaller Technical Communicator Certified Feldenkrais Method practitioner [EMAIL PROTECTED] “Focus on your difficulties and you have difficulties for life.” - Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: Frame Server experiences?
Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. Frame Server is literally FrameMaker, the same exact program, running in a server environment, at this point. DZBatcher, http://www.datazone.com/dzbatcher2.html is one way you can run Frame in a batch or server mode. Hopefully future versions of Frame Server will provide more of a true server implementation. There are many ways to flow data into Frame templates: Miramo works well, in my experience, but is additional cost to the Frame server license. Thanks, Max IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message and are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature. If you have received this information in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone or return e-mail and delete this information from your mailbox. Thank you. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Frame Server experiences?
Hi Art, As Max said, Frame Server is no different from desktop FrameMaker except for the license agreement. Any integration you can do with desktop FrameMaker can be done with Frame Server, including FrameScript, Frame Developers Kit, Miramo, Patternstream, etc. Rick Quatro Carmen Publishing 585-659-8267 www.frameexpert.com Looking at using Frame Server to automate pagination and production of boilerplate text that pretty much fills one page of a two-page instruction sheet that's packaged with different parts; content varies depending on part number. The second page would be manually produced. Output to .pdf. At the moment, there's no back end to serve the boilerplate to FS, but I understand most SQL databases will work. Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. Cheers, Art ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Frame Server experiences?
Many people don't realize that there is no functional difference between FrameMaker and FrameMaker Server -- the only difference is a piece of paper in the box (the end-user license agreement). Essentially, if you are using FrameMaker as an automated rendering engine, FrameMaker Server is required. Your plan is sound, but feel free to prototype/test with FrameMaker and the FDK or FrameScript for the automated components. -Alan Art Campbell wrote: Looking at using Frame Server to automate pagination and production of boilerplate text that pretty much fills one page of a two-page instruction sheet that's packaged with different parts; content varies depending on part number. The second page would be manually produced. Output to .pdf. At the moment, there's no back end to serve the boilerplate to FS, but I understand most SQL databases will work. Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. Cheers, Art -- Alan Houser, President Group Wellesley, Inc. 412-363-3481 www.groupwellesley.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Frame Server experiences?
Hi Rick, Yeah, I'm pretty comfortable with the FM integration; I was actually looking/asking for feedback on experiences with using FrameScript, Frame Developers Kit, Miramo, Patternstream, etc. to drive the project... As with most things Frame, there seems to be half a dozen ways to get from here to there, with different amounts of scenic routes, highway, and different waypoints. ;- ) Art On 1/22/07, Rick Quatro [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Art, As Max said, Frame Server is no different from desktop FrameMaker except for the license agreement. Any integration you can do with desktop FrameMaker can be done with Frame Server, including FrameScript, Frame Developers Kit, Miramo, Patternstream, etc. Rick Quatro Carmen Publishing 585-659-8267 www.frameexpert.com Looking at using Frame Server to automate pagination and production of boilerplate text that pretty much fills one page of a two-page instruction sheet that's packaged with different parts; content varies depending on part number. The second page would be manually produced. Output to .pdf. At the moment, there's no back end to serve the boilerplate to FS, but I understand most SQL databases will work. Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. Cheers, Art -- Art Campbell [EMAIL PROTECTED] ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
FrameMaker and read-only files
Hello all, We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but very much in the 'annoyance' category! Thanks in advance, Gordon McLean Technical Author Graham Technology This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
[ANN] Jan 23 - Management Webinar: CMS and Change (Scott Abel and Emma Hamer)
This January 23 (11AM EST) I’ll again be interviewing Career and Performance Consultant Emma C. Hamer on one of the most critical issues of content management success: Change Management. During this one-hour interactive webinar sponsored by X-Pubs, we will take a look at the impact of change on technical communicators and review proven strategies for changing the way organizations work. We’ll cover some of the material we did in our previous webinars and answer questions sent in via email or via telephone. Don’t miss this interesting and informative interview! Note: If you tried logging in to our December webinar and experienced problems, don’t fret. You were not alone. Fortunately, the good folks at GoToWebinar and FreeConferenceCall.com have resolved our technology issues. This month we roll out a larger virtual room and a fresh set of country-specific local telephone numbers. REGISTER: https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/130157758 Want Scott and Emma to answer questions for you? Send them to [EMAIL PROTECTED] pubs.com now or during the show. Scott Abel The Content Wrangler, Inc. 6178 Crittenden Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220 USA +1 317-466-1840 skype: abelsp email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] web: http://www.thecontentwrangler.com DOCUMENTATION TRAINING: THE USER EXPERIENCE APR 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC Learn more: http://www.doctrain.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: FrameMaker and read-only files
Gordon -- Are you saying the setting for Network File Locking in FilePreferencesGeneral doesn't work in this situation? jan. jan e patterson sr technical writer - environmental systems products - tucson, az -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gordon McLean Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 8:55 AM To: framers@frameusers.com Subject: FrameMaker and read-only files Hello all, We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but very much in the 'annoyance' category! Thanks in advance, Gordon McLean Technical Author Graham Technology This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/jan.patterson%40esph .com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: FrameMaker and read-only files
It probably wouldn't work because it's a tool designed to prevent multiple people editing when the file is on a server, not in a version management system. Most version management systems physically replace the file server with a database that checks files in and out to user's local systems. So the VMS file locking would trump whatever is built into FM because FM doesn't know or care that the external application has applied its own lock. It might work if the VMS restored the files to a server and the end users opened the file from there because both locking systems would be used -- the VMS controlling access from the database to the server, and FM from the server to the client workstations. Art On 1/22/07, Patterson, Jan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gordon -- Are you saying the setting for Network File Locking in FilePreferencesGeneral doesn't work in this situation? jan. jan e patterson sr technical writer - environmental systems products - tucson, az -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gordon McLean Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 8:55 AM To: framers@frameusers.com Subject: FrameMaker and read-only files Hello all, We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but very much in the 'annoyance' category! Thanks in advance, Gordon McLean Technical Author Graham Technology -- Art Campbell [EMAIL PROTECTED] ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: FrameMaker and read-only files
FrameMaker's Network File Locking feature is very rudimentary. All it does is check for the presence of a lock file with the same name as the document but a secondary .lck extension in the same directory as the document. If it finds a .lck file it displays a dialog that tells you the file is locked; if there is no .lck file it opens the document without a message and creates a .lck file so that anyone else trying to open that file will see a locked message. Bust since a CM or VM system makes a working copy of a file on your local hard disk when you check it out, the .lck file mechanism would only work if the CMS is smart enough to create a .lck file on your local drive if and only if the file is locked in the repository. My opinions only; I don;t speak for Intel. Fred Ridder Intel Parsippany, NJ From: Patterson, Jan [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gordon McLean [EMAIL PROTECTED],framers@frameusers.com Subject: RE: FrameMaker and read-only files Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:21:28 -0500 Gordon -- Are you saying the setting for Network File Locking in FilePreferencesGeneral doesn't work in this situation? jan. jan e patterson sr technical writer - environmental systems products - tucson, az -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gordon McLean Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 8:55 AM To: framers@frameusers.com Subject: FrameMaker and read-only files Hello all, We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but very much in the 'annoyance' category! _ Get in the mood for Valentine's Day. View photos, recipes and more on your Live.com page. http://www.live.com/?addTemplate=ValentinesDayocid=T001MSN30A0701 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
How long to learn FrameScript?
Hi all, I'm considering asking my manager to buy FrameScript for me and I have to justify it of course. Does anyone have any data on how long it takes to become reasonably proficient using it. I have 4 years of sw dev experience and 15 years of FM experience. Thanks, Diane ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: How long to learn FrameScript?
Hi Diane, It depends on how much time you are willing to invest and what kind of projects you are going to practice with. I would say that you can get up to speed with it in a couple of months if you faithfully work with it an hour a day. I may be way off on my estimate, but if it makes you feel any better, I am still learning after more than 8 years of working with it. At the risk of sounding self-serving, some of my clients have learned by buying a few scripts first and then learning from them, especially if they are well-commented. One thing I can say without hesitation: whether you buy scripts or write your own (or a combination of both), FrameScript will pay for itself very quickly. Well-planned automation is a benefit to any workflow. When you buy FrameScript, make sure you work through the free tutorials on my web site. You should also join the FrameScript group at http://groups.yahoo.com. Rick Quatro Carmen Publishing 585-659-8267 www.frameexpert.com Hi all, I'm considering asking my manager to buy FrameScript for me and I have to justify it of course. Does anyone have any data on how long it takes to become reasonably proficient using it. I have 4 years of sw dev experience and 15 years of FM experience. Thanks, Diane ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: FrameMaker and read-only files
Hi Gordon... I've just uploaded a plugin to our website that checks the file system's read-only flag and notifies you if it's set. For more info .. http://www.leximation.com/tools/info/checkfilestatus.php This plugin is free. Enjoy! ...scott Scott Prentice Leximation, Inc. www.leximation.com +1.415.485.1892 Gordon McLean wrote: Hello all, We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but very much in the 'annoyance' category! Thanks in advance, Gordon McLean Technical Author Graham Technology ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Starting over - Slightly OT
Hi, If you're dealing with a lot of content reuse, you may want to at least consider AuthorIT. That'll let you use Word in a fairly safe setup - or so they say! Check it out - there's an evaluation version on their home page at http://www.authorit.com/. Not affiliated - not even a user - total Word-shunning Frame setup here ;o)! -Niels -Original Message- From: framers-bounces+nfa=maconomy.dk at lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces+nfa=maconomy...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Joseph Sims Sent: 19. januar 2007 19:42 To: framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: Starting over - Slightly OT Framers, It's been a full three months since I last saw a Frame doc, having changed careers, companies, industries and most things that were familiar. I'm now tasked with managing the proposal process at a new place. Our proposals are 50-100 page documents (8-12 per month) with a mixture of original sales writing, stock content, and responses to questions. The deadlines are tight, and involve multiple, fairly willing contributors. It's like technical writing on speed, IMO. Deliverables are about 60% PDF and 40% paper. I think paper is declining rapidly. The process I inherited is Word-based. So my nice, clean template gets fairly polluted right away when pasting in client RFP questions, stock answers, and material created in Word by people who aren't in the document business. The good thing is there are few boundaries on change here. This process can literally be scrapped if I have a superior replacement that makes good sense. So if you could do it all over - what would you do? My thoughts: A. Office 2007 Word - This is supposed to have structured authoring. We'll wait for a demo. B. Structured Frame - I've never designed a structured template, and would I have to buy seats for all contributors? C. Structured Frame with Frame Server - I haven't heard a lot of people here mention it. We manage a file based, and growing content repository to help with proposal questions. Does it make sense? D. Arbortext - Pay to have all document issues resolved. Did I miss any? Did I miss the point of some? Thanks, Joe D. Joseph Sims Communications Group Manager Sutherland Global Services 1160 Pittsford-Victor Rd. Pittsford, New York 14534 Office - (585) 586-5757 *2447 Cell - (585) 967-4187 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as NFA at maconomy.dk. 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/nfa%40maconomy.dk Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Frame Server experiences?
Looking at using Frame Server to automate pagination and production of boilerplate text that pretty much fills one page of a two-page instruction sheet that's packaged with different parts; content varies depending on part number. The second page would be manually produced. Output to .pdf. At the moment, there's no back end to serve the boilerplate to FS, but I understand most SQL databases will work. Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. Cheers, Art -- Art Campbell art.campbell at gmail.com "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358
Frame Server experiences?
> Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. Frame Server is literally FrameMaker, the same exact program, running in a server environment, at this point. DZBatcher, http://www.datazone.com/dzbatcher2.html is one way you can run Frame in a batch or server mode. Hopefully future versions of Frame Server will provide more of a true server implementation. There are many ways to flow data into Frame templates: Miramo works well, in my experience, but is additional cost to the Frame server license. Thanks, Max IMPORTANT NOTICE: This communication, including any attachment, contains information that may be confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the entity or individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message and are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message is strictly prohibited. Nothing in this email, including any attachment, is intended to be a legally binding signature. If you have received this information in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone or return e-mail and delete this information from your mailbox. Thank you.
Frame Server experiences?
Hi Art, As Max said, Frame Server is no different from desktop FrameMaker except for the license agreement. Any integration you can do with desktop FrameMaker can be done with Frame Server, including FrameScript, Frame Developers Kit, Miramo, Patternstream, etc. Rick Quatro Carmen Publishing 585-659-8267 www.frameexpert.com > Looking at using Frame Server to automate pagination and production of > boilerplate text that pretty much fills one page of a two-page > instruction sheet that's packaged with different parts; content varies > depending on part number. > > The second page would be manually produced. > > Output to .pdf. > > At the moment, there's no back end to serve the boilerplate to FS, but > I understand most SQL databases will work. > > Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. > > Cheers, > Art
Frame Server experiences?
Many people don't realize that there is no functional difference between FrameMaker and FrameMaker Server -- the only difference is a piece of paper in the box (the end-user license agreement). Essentially, if you are using FrameMaker as an automated rendering engine, FrameMaker Server is required. Your plan is sound, but feel free to prototype/test with FrameMaker and the FDK or FrameScript for the automated components. -Alan Art Campbell wrote: > Looking at using Frame Server to automate pagination and production of > boilerplate text that pretty much fills one page of a two-page > instruction sheet that's packaged with different parts; content varies > depending on part number. > > The second page would be manually produced. > > Output to .pdf. > > At the moment, there's no back end to serve the boilerplate to FS, but > I understand most SQL databases will work. > > Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. > > Cheers, > Art > -- Alan Houser, President Group Wellesley, Inc. 412-363-3481 www.groupwellesley.com
Frame Server experiences?
Hi Rick, Yeah, I'm pretty comfortable with the FM integration; I was actually looking/asking for feedback on experiences with using "FrameScript, Frame Developers Kit, Miramo, Patternstream, etc." to drive the project... As with most things Frame, there seems to be half a dozen ways to get from here to there, with different amounts of scenic routes, highway, and different waypoints. ;- ) Art On 1/22/07, Rick Quatro wrote: > Hi Art, > > As Max said, Frame Server is no different from desktop FrameMaker except for > the license agreement. Any integration you can do with desktop FrameMaker > can be done with Frame Server, including FrameScript, Frame Developers Kit, > Miramo, Patternstream, etc. > > Rick Quatro > Carmen Publishing > 585-659-8267 > www.frameexpert.com > > > > Looking at using Frame Server to automate pagination and production of > > boilerplate text that pretty much fills one page of a two-page > > instruction sheet that's packaged with different parts; content varies > > depending on part number. > > > > The second page would be manually produced. > > > > Output to .pdf. > > > > At the moment, there's no back end to serve the boilerplate to FS, but > > I understand most SQL databases will work. > > > > Any feedback on the plan or implementation would be valuable. > > > > Cheers, > > Art > > -- Art Campbell art.campbell at gmail.com "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358
FrameMaker and read-only files
Hello all, We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but very much in the 'annoyance' category! Thanks in advance, Gordon McLean Technical Author Graham Technology This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com
FrameMaker and read-only files
I have found that in order to fully make use of the SVN tortoise features, I have to save my files as *.mif files and then store them in SVN. When I use them in Frame I convert them back. It's kind of clunky but it works. Thank you, Gillian Flato -Original Message- From: framers-bounces+gflato=nanometrics@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces+gflato=nanometrics.com at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Gordon McLean Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 7:55 AM To: framers at frameusers.com Subject: FrameMaker and read-only files Hello all, We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but very much in the 'annoyance' category! Thanks in advance, Gordon McLean Technical Author Graham Technology This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com ___ 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.
FrameMaker and read-only files
Gordon -- Are you saying the setting for Network File Locking in File>Preferences>General doesn't work in this situation? jan. jan e patterson sr technical writer - environmental systems products - tucson, az -Original Message- From: framers-bounces+jan.patterson=esph@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces+jan.patterson=esph.com at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Gordon McLean Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 8:55 AM To: framers at frameusers.com Subject: FrameMaker and read-only files Hello all, We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but very much in the 'annoyance' category! Thanks in advance, Gordon McLean Technical Author Graham Technology This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as jan.patterson at esph.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/jan.patterson%40esph .com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
FrameMaker and read-only files
It probably wouldn't work because it's a tool designed to prevent multiple people editing when the file is on a server, not in a version management system. Most version management systems physically replace the file server with a database that checks files in and out to user's local systems. So the VMS file locking would trump whatever is built into FM because FM doesn't know or care that the external application has applied its own lock. It might work if the VMS restored the files to a server and the end users opened the file from there because both locking systems would be used -- the VMS controlling access from the database to the server, and FM from the server to the client workstations. Art On 1/22/07, Patterson, Jan wrote: > Gordon -- > > Are you saying the setting for Network File Locking in > File>Preferences>General doesn't work in this situation? > > jan. > jan e patterson > sr technical writer - environmental systems products - tucson, az > > -Original Message- > From: framers-bounces+jan.patterson=esph.com at lists.frameusers.com > [mailto:framers-bounces+jan.patterson=esph.com at lists.frameusers.com] On > Behalf Of Gordon McLean > Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 8:55 AM > To: framers at frameusers.com > Subject: FrameMaker and read-only files > > Hello all, > > > > We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly > working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a > locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but > FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try > and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an > hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. > > > > What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to > 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal > locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being > edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. > > > > My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, > whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at > all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? > > > > Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper > but very much in the 'annoyance' category! > > > > Thanks in advance, > > > > Gordon McLean > > > > Technical Author > > Graham Technology > > -- Art Campbell art.campbell at gmail.com "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358
FrameMaker and read-only files
FrameMaker's "Network File Locking" feature is very rudimentary. All it does is check for the presence of a "lock" file with the same name as the document but a secondary .lck extension in the same directory as the document. If it finds a .lck file it displays a dialog that tells you the file is locked; if there is no .lck file it opens the document without a message and creates a .lck file so that anyone else trying to open that file will see a "locked" message. Bust since a CM or VM system makes a working copy of a file on your local hard disk when you check it out, the .lck file mechanism would only work if the CMS is "smart" enough to create a .lck file on your local drive if and only if the file is locked in the repository. My opinions only; I don;t speak for Intel. Fred Ridder Intel Parsippany, NJ >From: "Patterson, Jan" >To: "Gordon McLean" >, >Subject: RE: FrameMaker and read-only files >Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:21:28 -0500 > >Gordon -- > >Are you saying the setting for Network File Locking in >File>Preferences>General doesn't work in this situation? > >jan. >jan e patterson >sr technical writer - environmental systems products - tucson, az > >-Original Message- >From: framers-bounces+jan.patterson=esph.com at lists.frameusers.com >[mailto:framers-bounces+jan.patterson=esph.com at lists.frameusers.com] On >Behalf Of Gordon McLean >Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 8:55 AM >To: framers at frameusers.com >Subject: FrameMaker and read-only files > >Hello all, > > > >We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly >working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a >locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but >FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try >and save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an >hour or two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. > > > >What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to >'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal >locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being >edited by others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. > > > >My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, >whether a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at >all but a 'nuance' of Tortoise? > > > >Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper >but very much in the 'annoyance' category! _ Get in the mood for Valentine's Day. View photos, recipes and more on your Live.com page. http://www.live.com/?addTemplate=ValentinesDay=T001MSN30A0701
FrameMaker and read-only files
Hi Gordon... I've just uploaded a plugin to our website that checks the file system's read-only flag and notifies you if it's set. For more info .. http://www.leximation.com/tools/info/checkfilestatus.php This plugin is free. Enjoy! ...scott Scott Prentice Leximation, Inc. www.leximation.com +1.415.485.1892 Gordon McLean wrote: > Hello all, > > We are using Tortoise SVN to version control our FM files. It's mainly > working fine but we are having problems getting FrameMaker to detect a > locked file. You can set files to be locked when you edit them, but > FrameMaker doesn't seem to pay any attention to the lock UNTIL you try and > save the file. So you could open a locked file, work on it for an hour or > two and only be notified when you try and save it. Not ideal. > > What we think is happening is that the file being locked is set to > 'read-only', but FrameMaker isn't detecting that, as it has an internal > locking mechanism which looking for files that are currently being edited by > others. So it seems to be ignoring the read-only files. > > My question is: Is there anyway to get FrameMaker to flag, ON OPEN, whether > a file is read-only or not. Or is this not a FrameMaker issue at all but a > 'nuance' of Tortoise? > > Any and all suggestions gratefully welcomed. This isn't a showstopper but > very much in the 'annoyance' category! > > Thanks in advance, > > Gordon McLean > > Technical Author > Graham Technology > > > > >
