Offtopic: Trisoft CMS, what is your opinion?
I have been asked what do you think about trisoft cms? I don't know the product. Right now I am the only one using unstructured Framemaker. We have 5 writers who are using MS Word. Framemaker has been bought and we have a template in unstructured FM that is built up around the IMAP structure. We are considering moving to structured Framemaker and DITA. Our product manuals are translated into 22 languages. We do not have a cms system. I am the only one single-sourcing pdf and context-sensitive webhelp output. I am sure that there are many possibilities of reuse among the product manuals. Trisoft claims Doing DITA without a CMS wouldn't be the brightest thing you ever did. What do you think? Is Trisoft the right thing for us? Med venlig hilsen - Best regards Verner Andersen Technical Writer Radiometer Medical ApS Phone +45 3827 3612 Fax +45 3827 2727 verner.ander...@radiometer.dk Radiometer Medical ApS Akandevej 21 2700 Bronshoj Denmark Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 CVR: 27 50 91 85 Please be advised that this email may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy or re-transmit this email. If you have received this email in error, please notify us by email by replying to the sender and by telephone (call us collect at +1 202-828-0850) and delete this message and any attachments. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance. In addition, Danaher and its subsidiaries disclaim that the content of this email constitutes an offer to enter into, or the acceptance of, any contract or agreement or any amendment thereto; provided that the foregoing disclaimer does not invalidate the binding effect of any digital or other electronic reproduction of a manual signature that is included in any attachment to this email. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
framemaker to pdf question
Framemaker 8.0 Win XP My coworker is having trouble creating a pdf from Framemaker: I received a new error message today when distilling the TM from Frame to pdf. After trying multiple ways to pdf (save to, print to), I finally saved to postscript. The error message I received in the log said this: This document does not meet PDF/A-1b:2005 compliance check. No pdf was created. Could anyone tell us what that mean? Thanks in advance, Rebecca Frasure Editorial Assistant PPQ Manuals Unit Phone: 240-529-0353 Fax: 240-529-0399 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
FrameMaker 8 trial for Unix
Hi, Does anyone of you know if there's a FrameMaker 8 trial for Unix (Solaris)? I looked at the Adobe web site but found no direct link on their downloads page. Please advise. - Thanks much, Hrachya Aghajanyan ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Exporting to TypePad
1st. I would like to export unstructured Frame 7.1 paragraphs directly into whatever TypePad uses for creating blog posts; paste in is OK. TypePad's support FAQ'a contain nothing on Framemaker. I have about 4500 journal entries (paragraphs) into a 1,400 page Frame Book w/an APL, TOC, and 50 chapters, of marketing concept notes taken over 20+ years; a few of my previous clients have asked me to put the best ones into one or more blogs - for their sales marketing staffs. The idea of having to retype them and redo them is a bit much; I even called Methuselah, he's older than I, but not by much, but he was too busy with his own memoirs, given all those wives, to offer any advice other than to not take steroids or Viagra or any performance enhancing substances; but he did recommend that any advice from a Framer, though addictive, was OK. So if anyone has some advise on how to do get from Frame to a TypePad Blog with a minimum of pain I would be most welcome. 2nd. I lost the WebWorks program that came with Frame, and it is not installed. I mention this because, the thought is gnawing at my clouded brain, that maybe it was good for something like this. If it would be handy to have, any idea how I can get the program for the price of a thank you? Like shipping it in a returning Banana Boat? Regards from a retired Californian living in Costa Rica, having improved the IQ's of both areas, although my Costa Rican relatives may take exception to this remark. TED -- Ted Steinberg Apartado 185-7150 Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica 506-2556-7596 mtedsteinb...@gmail.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Drooping registered trademarks in cross references
Hi Framers, I have a cross referenced heading. The heading includes a variable that includes a registered trademark. The problem is that the trademark in the crossreference droops after I perform a book update. I suspect Frame converts the character from subscript to normal after I update the book. The variable definition looks like this. Default ¶ FontACMESuperscript®Default ¶ Font Crossreferences in general seem to be quirky with Frame 8. Yes? Frame 8 with all the updates XP sp3 Thanks, Reid ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: re-use 101
Inset Plus [sic] is free, and looks very interesting, but the site does not indicate whether it is a product one can just inject into one's Structured FrameMaker system, of if one needs to BUY any of the other West Street Consulting products in order to make use of it. Kristy, can you address this or should we ask West Street? --Guy K. Haas Software Exegete in Silicon Valley, and sometime user of LOADS of text insets On Wed, March 11, 2009 9:01 am, Kristy Nolan wrote: Hi, Joel! Are you using structured or unstructured Frame? Have you considered using text insets? I found this useful when I had a similar scenario a few years ago on unstructured Frame. If you are on structured, check out InsetPlus at West Street Consulting. We have found this to be very useful for our docs. Kristy -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Joel Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 7:36 AM To: framers@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 kristy.no...@wnco.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/kristy.nolan%40wnco. com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as g...@hiskeyboard.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/guy%40hiskeyboard.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
xnumber in page headings
I've learned a lot by just following the conversations on this list, and thanks to all you EXPERTS who provide the answers. Hope you can help me. I'm working in FrameMaker 7.2 and have several FrameMaker books with the same template applied. In a .pdf of one of the books, instead of the current page number (like a 1, 2, ...) in the header, I see xnumber34. Yikes! The other books show the page number that I expect. Looking at the Master Page of the problematic book, I see Running H/F 1 xnumber# (without question marks). When selected, the xnumber# translates to Current Page # in Variables, and when I click Edit I see xnumber$curpagenum. In the boilerplate template and other books, looking at Master Pages, I do see Running H/F 1 #, and the pound sign is in red. When selected, the # translates to Current Page # in Variables, and when I click Edit, I see xnumber$curpagenum, the same as in the problematic book. I've searched FrameMaker Help and this list for info about xnumber and about displaying variables. Is there a display setting that is causing this problem? Do I have two totally different variables? What does the red color on the # sign mean? Bill Rost Technical Writer Retalix USA 5210 E. Williams Circle, Suite 300 Direct: (520) 298-7757 x 3192 Main: (520) 298-7757 Fax: (520) 747-1660 You can't push a rope. - old cowboy saying ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE:
I've seen this before. It was caused by an empty Text Line object that is using the character format you are trying to change or delete. You have to find the Text Line object and delete it then you can change or delete the character form. Gary -Original Message- From: cs...@sympatico.ca [mailto:cs...@sympatico.ca] Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 3:13 PM To: dspre...@yahoo.com; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: RE: Thanks, David. Unfortunately that didn't work. The new tag retained the 'f:*footnote ref' override. 'footnote ref' doesn't appear in the list of character tags - I've no idea where it came from. I tried adding it as a ch tag, then deleting it - that had no effect either. From: dspre...@yahoo.com To: cs...@sympatico.ca; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: RE: Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:44:51 -0500 Chris, Apply a different tag to the selected text and then retag it with Para, this will remove the errant footnote ref Character Tag. -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of cs...@sympatico.ca Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 2:57 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: FM7.2 Some paragraphs in a document I inherited have 'Para f:*footnote ref' as a paragraph tag. I have been unable to remove the reference to 'f:*footnote ref.' I've tried retagging with the correct tag, selecting the text and applying Default Font - I've found nothing that works. What else should I try? Chris ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as dspre...@yahoo.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/dspreadb%40yahoo.c om Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as gary.e.c...@boeing.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/gary.e.cole%40boeing .com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
xnumber in .pdf header?
I'm working in FrameMaker 7.2 and have 20+ books based on a boilerplate template. In a .pdf of one of the books, instead of seeing the current page number (1, 2, and so forth) in the header, I saw every page number, prefixed with xnumber. The other books show the page number without the prefix. So, I compared the headers in Master Pages of the problematic book with the boilerplate template Master Pages. The Master Pages header of the problematic book shows Running H/F 1 xnumber# (without question marks). When I select xnumber# and look at Variables, it translates to Current Page # and when I click Edit I see xnumber$curpagenum. In the boilerplate template Master Pages (and Master Pages of other books), the variable is Running H/F 1 # and the pound sign is in red. When I select the # and look at Variables, it translates to Current Page #. When I click Edit, I see xnumber$curpagenum. So, what I'm seeing in the problematic book Master Pages breaks down in Variables to being the same as what I see in the other books. It's the appearance of the variable in Master Pages that is different. I've searched FrameMaker Help and this list for info about xnumber and about displaying variables, without success. I've reimported variables from the boilerplate template without success. Is there a display setting that is causing this problem? Is the construction of the variables the problem? What does the red color on the # sign mean? How do I fix this problem? I've learned a lot about FrameMaker by following the discourse on this list, thanks to all you EXPERTS who provide the answers! Hope you can help me with this issue. Bill Rost Technical Writer Retalix USA 5210 E. Williams Circle, Suite 300 Direct: (520) 298-7757 x 3192 Main: (520) 298-7757 Fax: (520) 747-1660 You can't push a rope. - old cowboy saying ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Visio to FMKR
Hi all Framers I need to add some Visio flows (currently in Word) that take up the size of a full portrait page. I copied and used paste special Bitmap into a portrait FrameMaker page. The Visio fit fine on one page, but it jumped to the next page. I had the cursor at the top of a regular page. I'm thinking of creating a Master page with a smaller header to give a little more space. Does anyone have other suggestions, or is there any problem with my approach. Thanks, Sue Curtzwiler susa...@vmc.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Cannot produce PDF for a book
Hi,
I guess this is a Distiller rather than FrameMaker problem and I seem to
have a workaround, but I would be interested to know if anyone on this list
knows about the problem and has a more direct solution.
When generating PDF for a book from FrameMaker, the process stops in the
last pages with the message
%%[ ProductName: Distiller ]%%
%%[Page: 1]%%
%%[Page: 2]%%
%%[Page: 3]%%
%%[Page: 4]%%
%%[ Error: typecheck; OffendingCommand: pdfmark; ErrorInfo: StOBJ
--nostringval-- ]%%
Stack:
/StOBJ
{A.4.299011.1}
/Obj
-dict-
%%[ Flushing: rest of job (to end-of-file) will be ignored ]%%
%%[ Warning: PostScript error. No PDF file produced. ] %%
--
Version: FrameMaker on Windows, 7.2b128.
Before my latest changes to the book, FrameMaker was generating PDF fine.
I was rather devastated this when I suddenly hit this. Then, since I
fortunately have Distiller (version 9.0.11), I generated Postscript for the
book; this worked, then I distilled the result separately, which also
worked. I hope this somewhat tedious workaround continues to work; I assume
FrameMaker uses another version of Distiller (and I did not see a way to
tell FrameMaker to use another). Still, if anyone has a better suggestion I
would be most grateful.
Thanks,
-- Bertrand Meyer
ETH Zurich
___
You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com.
Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com.
To unsubscribe send a blank email to
framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com
or visit
http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com
Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit
http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: framemaker to pdf question
Rebecca, PDF/A is an ISO standard for long term preservation of documents. PDF/A means PDF for Archiving. If your document doesn't meet the standards, for instance, if it lacks a required ID field in the trailer dictionary, it won't meet validity tests and no PDF will be produced. Try changing your Adobe PDF settings to anything other than PDF/A... or PDF/X... In FrameMaker's PDF Setup dialog Format Document PDF Setup Tags tab, deselect Generate Tagged PDF, and you should be OK. Baruch Brodersen -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of rebecca.l.fras...@aphis.usda.gov Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 12:40 PM To: fram...@frameusers.com Subject: framemaker to pdf question Framemaker 8.0 Win XP My coworker is having trouble creating a pdf from Framemaker: I received a new error message today when distilling the TM from Frame to pdf. After trying multiple ways to pdf (save to, print to), I finally saved to postscript. The error message I received in the log said this: This document does not meet PDF/A-1b:2005 compliance check. No pdf was created. Could anyone tell us what that mean? Thanks in advance, Rebecca Frasure Editorial Assistant PPQ Manuals Unit Phone: 240-529-0353 Fax: 240-529-0399 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as bar...@technitext.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/baruch%40technitext.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Exporting to TypePad
Ted, You should be able to simply copy-and-paste anything from a Frame file directly into any other program. I'm not familiar with TypePad, but if it's a Windows program it should take stuff from the Clipboard. If you're asking about converting the entire book to text... first, I wouldn't bother if it was me, but if you want to do that, I believe that MIF2Go (free trail from omsys.com) will output to text. However, MIF2Go also ouputs to HTML, which may be a better choice for importing into a blog. Art Art Campbell art.campb...@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 On Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 2:33 PM, Ted Steinberg mtedsteinb...@gmail.com wrote: 1st. I would like to export unstructured Frame 7.1 paragraphs directly into whatever TypePad uses for creating blog posts; paste in is OK. TypePad's support FAQ'a contain nothing on Framemaker. I have about 4500 journal entries (paragraphs) into a 1,400 page Frame Book w/an APL, TOC, and 50 chapters, of marketing concept notes taken over 20+ years; a few of my previous clients have asked me to put the best ones into one or more blogs - for their sales marketing staffs. The idea of having to retype them and redo them is a bit much; I even called Methuselah, he's older than I, but not by much, but he was too busy with his own memoirs, given all those wives, to offer any advice other than to not take steroids or Viagra or any performance enhancing substances; but he did recommend that any advice from a Framer, though addictive, was OK. So if anyone has some advise on how to do get from Frame to a TypePad Blog with a minimum of pain I would be most welcome. 2nd. I lost the WebWorks program that came with Frame, and it is not installed. I mention this because, the thought is gnawing at my clouded brain, that maybe it was good for something like this. If it would be handy to have, any idea how I can get the program for the price of a thank you? Like shipping it in a returning Banana Boat? Regards from a retired Californian living in Costa Rica, having improved the IQ's of both areas, although my Costa Rican relatives may take exception to this remark. TED -- Ted Steinberg Apartado 185-7150 Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica 506-2556-7596 mtedsteinb...@gmail.com ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campb...@gmail.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/art.campbell%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: FrameMaker 8 trial for Unix
I don't believe that UNIX trials have been available for some time. In any case, you won't find an FM 8 version anywhere because 9 is the current release. Art Art Campbell art.campb...@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 On Sun, Mar 8, 2009 at 8:27 AM, Hrachya Aghajanyan hrachya.aghajan...@gmail.com wrote: Hi, Does anyone of you know if there's a FrameMaker 8 trial for Unix (Solaris)? I looked at the Adobe web site but found no direct link on their downloads page. Please advise. - Thanks much, Hrachya Aghajanyan ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campb...@gmail.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/art.campbell%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Off topic - three general documentation questions
Ian, In general, from a professional tech writer viewpoint, I think the first two ideas suck, but to go a little further, you didn't really provide enough info: * what is the goal of the redo? * what standard or style guide are you following that presents these suggestions, or which are you going to follow? * what audience do you write to * what kind of guides are you producing? Software / hardware, installation, administration, user, something else? As for the third idea, why have blank pages in a PDF at all? If it's so people can print a book traditional fashion... that may be the real question -- if that's useful, or required, or something else. In any case, I'd simply eliminate the blanks before I labeled them unless they are required AND a label is required by a standard. Cheers, Art Art Campbell art.campb...@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 On Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 5:45 AM, Saunders, Ian isaund...@syntellect.com wrote: Please forgive this off-topic query, but I have nowhere else to turn for help. My team are reviewing the Frame templates we use for producing PDF files. It has been suggested that we: * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters * Begin main index entries with a capital letter * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. We have reached an impasse... I would be extremely grateful to anyone who can supply their take on the relevant industry standards or maybe even point me at a definitive statement. Many thanks! Ian Saunders Syntellect Inc ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campb...@gmail.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/art.campbell%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: xnumber in page headings
My first take on it is the xnumber is a user variable that a previous writer created, or maybe was imported from a pre-FM6 file, or another file format through a clumsy import. It sounds, from your description, that you would want to replace it with the $chapnum system variable so that your numbering is in the form chapter/page: 3-13. If you don't use that style of numbering, it's probably safe to delete, as far as page numbering goes. It may be in use somewhere else. The red color may be a conditional text setting or a character format, or even manually applied, but it's not related to counting -- it's a format attribute. Art Art Campbell art.campb...@gmail.com ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358 On Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 2:09 PM, Bill Rost bill.r...@retalix.com wrote: I've learned a lot by just following the conversations on this list, and thanks to all you EXPERTS who provide the answers. Hope you can help me. I'm working in FrameMaker 7.2 and have several FrameMaker books with the same template applied. In a .pdf of one of the books, instead of the current page number (like a 1, 2, ...) in the header, I see xnumber34. Yikes! The other books show the page number that I expect. Looking at the Master Page of the problematic book, I see Running H/F 1 xnumber# (without question marks). When selected, the xnumber# translates to Current Page # in Variables, and when I click Edit I see xnumber$curpagenum. In the boilerplate template and other books, looking at Master Pages, I do see Running H/F 1 #, and the pound sign is in red. When selected, the # translates to Current Page # in Variables, and when I click Edit, I see xnumber$curpagenum, the same as in the problematic book. I've searched FrameMaker Help and this list for info about xnumber and about displaying variables. Is there a display setting that is causing this problem? Do I have two totally different variables? What does the red color on the # sign mean? Bill Rost Technical Writer Retalix USA 5210 E. Williams Circle, Suite 300 Direct: (520) 298-7757 x 3192 Main: (520) 298-7757 Fax: (520) 747-1660 You can't push a rope. - old cowboy saying ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campb...@gmail.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/art.campbell%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: xnumber in page headings
Bill Rost wrote: In a .pdf of one of the books, instead of the current page number (like a 1, 2, ...) in the header, I see xnumber34. Yikes! The other books show the page number that I expect. Looking at the Master Page of the problematic book, I see Running H/F 1 xnumber# (without question marks). When selected, the xnumber# translates to Current Page # in Variables, and when I click Edit I see xnumber$curpagenum. snip I've searched FrameMaker Help and this list for info about xnumber and about displaying variables. Is there a display setting that is causing this problem? Do I have two totally different variables? What does the red color on the # sign mean? There are only two things that appear in brackets in a variable definition: the variable building blocks (which, like $curpagenum, all start with a $) and character tags. So xnumber must be the name of a character format that's missing. The text is displayed because FM doesn't recognize it as a char tag name, so it treats it as literal text. The red color is an attribute of the xnumber char format. In the other books without the problem, I presume the page numbers are red. If you look in their character catalog, you'll see xnumber listed. If you import char formats from the template or a book without the problem, the word xnumber will go away and be replaced by the formatting of that tag. Why the Keeper of Templates wanted to make page numbers red is another issue. Richard Richard G. Combs Senior Technical Writer Polycom, Inc. richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom 303-223-5111 -- rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom 303-777-0436 -- ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Cannot produce PDF for a book
Bertrand,
You wrote:
I guess this is a Distiller rather than FrameMaker problem and I seem to
have a workaround, but I would be interested to know if anyone on this list
knows about the problem and has a more direct solution.
When generating PDF for a book from FrameMaker, the process stops in the
last pages with the message
%%[ ProductName: Distiller ]%%
%%[Page: 1]%%
%%[Page: 2]%%
%%[Page: 3]%%
%%[Page: 4]%%
%%[ Error: typecheck; OffendingCommand: pdfmark; ErrorInfo: StOBJ
--nostringval-- ]%%
Stack:
/StOBJ
{A.4.299011.1}
/Obj
-dict-
%%[ Flushing: rest of job (to end-of-file) will be ignored ]%%
%%[ Warning: PostScript error. No PDF file produced. ] %%
--
Version: FrameMaker on Windows, 7.2b128.
Before my latest changes to the book, FrameMaker was generating PDF fine.
I was rather devastated this when I suddenly hit this. Then, since I
fortunately have Distiller (version 9.0.11), I generated Postscript for the
book; this worked, then I distilled the result separately, which also
worked. I hope this somewhat tedious workaround continues to work; I assume
FrameMaker uses another version of Distiller (and I did not see a way to
tell FrameMaker to use another). Still, if anyone has a better suggestion I
would be most grateful.
Turn off Generate Tagged PDF in FrameMaker's PDF Setup dialog box, Tags tab;
recreate the .ps and distill again.
Shlomo Perets
MicroType, http://www.microtype.com
FrameMaker/Acrobat training consulting * FrameMaker-to-Acrobat
TimeSavers/Assistants
___
You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com.
Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com.
To unsubscribe send a blank email to
framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com
or visit
http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com
Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit
http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: Off topic - three general documentation questions
Here are my thoughts based on my deliverables, my users' needs, and my employer's expectations. Your responses may vary significantly based on those and other variables. * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters I use chapter numbers in my printed books and PDFs, but not in online help. IMO they serve a valuable navigation function for the reader of a printed doc, helping to keep his/her bearings in the mass of pages. * Begin main index entries with a capital letter I would not, partly because an index entry is not a sentence and the capitalization might imply a meaning that does not exist, but also because it is much quicker to make an index entry by simply double-clicking the term without having to edit it on the spot. Of course, you still have to edit it if it starts a sentence or is capitalized for any other reason, but that is not so often. * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. Because I print my books, I have all my chapters end on an even page, even if it is blank. My header and footer appear on those otherwise blank pages. The only time I get a question about it is when someone reads the PDF and comes upon a blank page for no obvious reason. Honestly, in 10 years with these templates the confusion has been brought to my attention maybe 6 times. Ymmv, etc, etc john -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Saunders, Ian Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 5:45 AM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Off topic - three general documentation questions Please forgive this off-topic query, but I have nowhere else to turn for help. My team are reviewing the Frame templates we use for producing PDF files. It has been suggested that we: * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters * Begin main index entries with a capital letter * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. We have reached an impasse... I would be extremely grateful to anyone who can supply their take on the relevant industry standards or maybe even point me at a definitive statement. Many thanks! Ian Saunders Syntellect Inc ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as jsgamm...@imprivata.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/jsgammato%40imprivat a.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: Off topic - three general documentation questions
Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. This is an accepted standard across most of the DoD landscape. The phrase This page left intentionally blank is used. Regards, DJ -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Saunders, Ian Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 5:45 AM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Off topic - three general documentation questions Please forgive this off-topic query, but I have nowhere else to turn for help. My team are reviewing the Frame templates we use for producing PDF files. It has been suggested that we: * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters * Begin main index entries with a capital letter * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. We have reached an impasse... I would be extremely grateful to anyone who can supply their take on the relevant industry standards or maybe even point me at a definitive statement. Many thanks! Ian Saunders Syntellect Inc ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as darren.butler@robins.af.mil. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/darren.butler.ctr%40 robins.af.mil Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Off topic - three general documentation questions
My team are reviewing the Frame templates we use for producing PDF files. It has been suggested that we: * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters * Begin main index entries with a capital letter * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. Regarding index entries, _The Chicago Manual of Style_ states: 18.10 Initial lowercase letters in main headings. The first word of a main heading is normally capitalized only if capitalized in text-- a proper noun, a genus name, the title of a work, and so on. Indexes in the sciences often avoid initial capitals because the distinction between capitalized and lowercased terms in the text may be crucial. Traditionally, all main headings in an index were capitalized; Chicago recommends the practice only where the subentries are so numerous that capitalized main headings make for easier navigation. The CMOS is a great reference to have on hand. It always seems to have the answers. Mike Wickham ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
FrameMaker and Accessibility
We're beginning to make our documents accessible, and we'd like to work in FrameMaker as much as possible, rather than retouch them in Acrobat. We have some icons that we use before notes, tips, and other asides. I'd prefer that the reader skip the graphic because the word Note is part of the text. However, in Acrobat the Reading Order tool shows the graphic as No alternative text exists, and the person checking the document says that's not acceptable, even though it doesn't cause a reading problem. So is there any way to set the anchored frame properties for the graphic so that Acrobat will recognize it as background text and its Reading Order tool will ignore it? Is there any Accessibility group associated with FrameMaker? Best, Madeleine ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: FrameMaker and Accessibility
I think that this can be done, but I was under the impression that it required XML. I may be mistaken. You should check the Adobe.com forums. There is an Accessibility user group there. Scott Madeleine r Dimond wrote: We're beginning to make our documents accessible, and we'd like to work in FrameMaker as much as possible, rather than retouch them in Acrobat. We have some icons that we use before notes, tips, and other asides. I'd prefer that the reader skip the graphic because the word Note is part of the text. However, in Acrobat the Reading Order tool shows the graphic as No alternative text exists, and the person checking the document says that's not acceptable, even though it doesn't cause a reading problem. So is there any way to set the anchored frame properties for the graphic so that Acrobat will recognize it as background text and its Reading Order tool will ignore it? Is there any Accessibility group associated with FrameMaker? Best, Madeleine ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as qui...@airmail.net. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/quills%40airmail.net Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Off topic - three general documentation questions
* Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters Neither here nor there. Sometimes it's easier to reference by a single char, but ultimately this is a PDF and is searchable with a dynamic TOC. * Begin main index entries with a capital letter Meh. Style issue. Let those who bark loudest win and then hold them to the convention. * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. Why on earth would you have blank PDF page? Who's going to take it, print it, and bind it, and then use only the printout? -- Bill Swallow Twitter: @techcommdood Blog: http://techcommdood.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/techcommdood ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
RE: Off topic - three general documentation questions
* Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. Why on earth would you have blank PDF page? Who's going to take it, print it, and bind it, and then use only the printout? *** I very seldom read any serious documentation online. When I am on the computer, I am productive in other ways. If the PDF is not printer-friendly, I will think it was put together by a rookie. PDFs are suitable for printing, until you screw it up. ymmv john ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Re: Off topic - three general documentation questions
Interesting. When I'm on the computer, I'm all over the Help and online docs. The only time I ever print anything is for offline reading. I guess ymrdv. On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 9:15 PM, John Sgammato jsgamm...@imprivata.com wrote: * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. Why on earth would you have blank PDF page? Who's going to take it, print it, and bind it, and then use only the printout? *** I very seldom read any serious documentation online. When I am on the computer, I am productive in other ways. If the PDF is not printer-friendly, I will think it was put together by a rookie. PDFs are suitable for printing, until you screw it up. ymmv john -- Bill Swallow Twitter: @techcommdood Blog: http://techcommdood.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/techcommdood ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to fram...@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Offtopic: Trisoft CMS, what is your opinion?
I have been asked "what do you think about trisoft cms"? I don't know the product. Right now I am the only one using unstructured Framemaker. We have 5 writers who are using MS Word. Framemaker has been bought and we have a template in unstructured FM that is built up around the IMAP structure. We are considering moving to structured Framemaker and DITA. Our product manuals are translated into 22 languages. We do not have a cms system. I am the only one single-sourcing pdf and context-sensitive webhelp output. I am sure that there are many possibilities of reuse among the product manuals. Trisoft claims "Doing DITA without a CMS wouldn't be the brightest thing you ever did". What do you think? Is Trisoft the right thing for us? Med venlig hilsen - Best regards Verner Andersen Technical Writer Radiometer Medical ApS Phone +45 3827 3612 Fax +45 3827 2727 verner.andersen at radiometer.dk Radiometer Medical ApS Akandevej 21 2700 Bronshoj Denmark Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 CVR: 27 50 91 85 Please be advised that this email may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy or re-transmit this email. If you have received this email in error, please notify us by email by replying to the sender and by telephone (call us collect at +1 202-828-0850) and delete this message and any attachments. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance. In addition, Danaher and its subsidiaries disclaim that the content of this email constitutes an offer to enter into, or the acceptance of, any contract or agreement or any amendment thereto; provided that the foregoing disclaimer does not invalidate the binding effect of any digital or other electronic reproduction of a manual signature that is included in any attachment to this email.
framemaker to pdf question
Framemaker 8.0 Win XP My coworker is having trouble creating a pdf from Framemaker: "I received a new error message today when distilling the TM from Frame to pdf. After trying multiple ways to pdf (save to, print to), I finally saved to postscript. The error message I received in the log said this: "This document does not meet PDF/A-1b:2005 compliance check. No pdf was created." Could anyone tell us what that mean? Thanks in advance, Rebecca Frasure Editorial Assistant PPQ Manuals Unit Phone: 240-529-0353 Fax: 240-529-0399
framemaker to pdf question
Rebecca, PDF/A is an ISO standard for long term preservation of documents. PDF/A means PDF for Archiving. If your document doesn't meet the standards, for instance, if it lacks a required ID field in the trailer dictionary, it won't meet validity tests and no PDF will be produced. Try changing your Adobe PDF settings to anything other than PDF/A... or PDF/X... In FrameMaker's PDF Setup dialog Format > Document > PDF Setup > Tags tab, deselect Generate Tagged PDF, and you should be OK. Baruch Brodersen -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Rebecca.L.Frasure at aphis.usda.gov Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 12:40 PM To: framers at frameusers.com Subject: framemaker to pdf question Framemaker 8.0 Win XP My coworker is having trouble creating a pdf from Framemaker: "I received a new error message today when distilling the TM from Frame to pdf. After trying multiple ways to pdf (save to, print to), I finally saved to postscript. The error message I received in the log said this: "This document does not meet PDF/A-1b:2005 compliance check. No pdf was created." Could anyone tell us what that mean? Thanks in advance, Rebecca Frasure Editorial Assistant PPQ Manuals Unit Phone: 240-529-0353 Fax: 240-529-0399 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as baruch at technitext.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/baruch%40technitext.com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Exporting to TypePad
Ted, You should be able to simply copy-and-paste anything from a Frame file directly into any other program. I'm not familiar with TypePad, but if it's a Windows program it should take stuff from the Clipboard. If you're asking about converting the entire book to text... first, I wouldn't bother if it was me, but if you want to do that, I believe that MIF2Go (free trail from omsys.com) will output to text. However, MIF2Go also ouputs to HTML, which may be a better choice for importing into a blog. 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 On Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 2:33 PM, Ted Steinberg wrote: > 1st. I would like to export unstructured Frame 7.1 paragraphs directly > into whatever TypePad uses for creating blog posts; paste in is OK. > TypePad's support FAQ'a contain nothing on Framemaker. ?I have about > 4500 journal entries (paragraphs) into a 1,400 page Frame Book w/an > APL, TOC, and 50 chapters, of marketing concept notes taken over 20+ > years; a few of my previous clients have asked me to put the best ones > into one or more blogs - for their sales & marketing staffs. The idea > of having to retype them and redo them is a bit much; I even called > Methuselah, he's older than I, but not by much, but he was too busy > with his own memoirs, given all those wives, to offer any advice other > than to not take steroids or Viagra or any performance enhancing > substances; but he did recommend that any advice from a Framer, though > addictive, was OK. So if anyone has some advise on how to do get from > Frame to a TypePad Blog with a minimum of pain I would be most > welcome. > > 2nd. I lost the WebWorks program that came with Frame, and it is not > installed. I mention this because, the thought is gnawing at my > clouded brain, that maybe it was good for something like this. If it > would be handy to have, any idea how I can get the program for the > price of a thank you? Like shipping it in a returning Banana Boat? > > Regards from a retired Californian living in Costa Rica, having > improved the IQ's of both areas, although my Costa Rican relatives may > take exception to this remark. > > TED > > > -- > Ted Steinberg > Apartado 185-7150 > Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica > 506-2556-7596 > mtedsteinberg at gmail.com > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campbell at gmail.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/art.campbell%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. >
FrameMaker 8 trial for Unix
I don't believe that UNIX trials have been available for some time. In any case, you won't find an FM 8 version anywhere because 9 is the current release. 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 On Sun, Mar 8, 2009 at 8:27 AM, Hrachya Aghajanyan wrote: > Hi, > > Does anyone of you know if there's a FrameMaker 8 trial for Unix (Solaris)? > > I looked at the Adobe web site but found no direct link on their downloads > page. > > Please advise. > > - > Thanks much, > Hrachya Aghajanyan > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campbell at gmail.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/art.campbell%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. >
Off topic - three general documentation questions
Ian, In general, from a professional tech writer viewpoint, I think the first two ideas suck, but to go a little further, you didn't really provide enough info: * what is the goal of the redo? * what standard or style guide are you following that presents these suggestions, or which are you going to follow? * what audience do you write to * what kind of guides are you producing? Software / hardware, installation, administration, user, something else? As for the third idea, why have blank pages in a PDF at all? If it's so people can print a book traditional fashion... that may be the real question -- if that's useful, or required, or something else. In any case, I'd simply eliminate the blanks before I labeled them unless they are required AND a label is required by a standard. 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 On Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 5:45 AM, Saunders, Ian wrote: > Please forgive this off-topic query, but I have nowhere else to turn for help. > > My team are reviewing the Frame templates we use for producing PDF files. It > has been suggested that we: > > * ? ? ? ? Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters > > * ? ? ? ? Begin main index entries with a capital letter > > * ? ? ? ? Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not > blank in error. > > We have reached an impasse... > > I would be extremely grateful to anyone who can supply their take on the > relevant "industry standards" or maybe even point me at a definitive > statement. > > Many thanks! > > Ian Saunders > Syntellect Inc > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campbell at gmail.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/art.campbell%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. >
in page headings
My first take on it is the is a user variable that a previous writer created, or maybe was imported from a pre-FM6 file, or another file format through a clumsy import. It sounds, from your description, that you would want to replace it with the <$chapnum> system variable so that your numbering is in the form chapter/page: 3-13. If you don't use that style of numbering, it's probably safe to delete, as far as page numbering goes. It may be in use somewhere else. The red color may be a conditional text setting or a character format, or even manually applied, but it's not related to counting -- it's a format attribute. 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 On Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 2:09 PM, Bill Rost wrote: > I've learned a lot by just following the conversations on this list, and > thanks to all you EXPERTS who provide the answers. Hope you can help me. > > > > I'm working in FrameMaker 7.2 and have several FrameMaker books with the > same template applied. > > > > In a .pdf of one of the books, instead of the current page number (like > a 1, 2, ...) in the header, I see "34". Yikes! The other books > show the page number that I expect. > > > > Looking at the Master Page of the problematic book, I see "Running H/F 1 > #" (without question marks). When selected, the "#" > translates to Current Page # in Variables, and when I click Edit I see > "<$curpagenum>". > > > > In the boilerplate template and other books, looking at Master Pages, I > do see "Running H/F 1 #", and the pound sign is in red. When selected, > the "#" translates to Current Page # in Variables, and when I click > Edit, I see "<$curpagenum>", the same as in the problematic > book. > > > > I've searched FrameMaker Help and this list for info about and > about displaying variables. Is there a display setting that is causing > this problem? Do I have two totally different variables? What does the > red color on the # sign mean? > > > > Bill Rost > > Technical Writer > > Retalix USA > > 5210 E. Williams Circle, Suite 300 > > Direct: (520) 298-7757 x 3192 > > Main: ?(520) 298-7757 > > Fax: (520) 747-1660 > > > > "You can't push a rope." - old cowboy saying > > > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as art.campbell at gmail.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/art.campbell%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. >
in page headings
Bill Rost wrote: > In a .pdf of one of the books, instead of the current page number (like > a 1, 2, ...) in the header, I see "34". Yikes! The other books > show the page number that I expect. > > > > Looking at the Master Page of the problematic book, I see "Running H/F 1 > #" (without question marks). When selected, the "#" > translates to Current Page # in Variables, and when I click Edit I see > "<$curpagenum>". > > > I've searched FrameMaker Help and this list for info about and > about displaying variables. Is there a display setting that is causing > this problem? Do I have two totally different variables? What does the > red color on the # sign mean? There are only two things that appear in brackets in a variable definition: the variable building blocks (which, like <$curpagenum>, all start with a $) and character tags. So must be the name of a character format that's missing. The text is displayed because FM doesn't recognize it as a char tag name, so it treats it as literal text. The red color is an attribute of the char format. In the other books without the problem, I presume the page numbers are red. If you look in their character catalog, you'll see "xnumber" listed. If you import char formats from the template or a book without the problem, the word "" will go away and be replaced by the formatting of that tag. Why the Keeper of Templates wanted to make page numbers red is another issue. Richard Richard G. Combs Senior Technical Writer Polycom, Inc. richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom 303-223-5111 -- rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom 303-777-0436 --
Cannot produce PDF for a book
Bertrand,
You wrote:
>I guess this is a Distiller rather than FrameMaker problem and I seem to
>have a workaround, but I would be interested to know if anyone on this list
>knows about the problem and has a more direct solution.
>
>When generating PDF for a book from FrameMaker, the process stops in the
>last pages with the message
>
>
>%%[ ProductName: Distiller ]%%
>%%[Page: 1]%%
>%%[Page: 2]%%
>%%[Page: 3]%%
>%%[Page: 4]%%
>%%[ Error: typecheck; OffendingCommand: pdfmark; ErrorInfo: StOBJ
>--nostringval-- ]%%
>
>Stack:
>/StOBJ
>{A.4.299011.1}
>/Obj
>-dict-
>
>%%[ Flushing: rest of job (to end-of-file) will be ignored ]%%
>%%[ Warning: PostScript error. No PDF file produced. ] %%
>--
>
>Version: FrameMaker on Windows, 7.2b128.
>
>Before my latest changes to the book, FrameMaker was generating PDF fine.
>
>I was rather devastated this when I suddenly hit this. Then, since I
>fortunately have Distiller (version 9.0.11), I generated Postscript for the
>book; this worked, then I distilled the result separately, which also
>worked. I hope this somewhat tedious workaround continues to work; I assume
>FrameMaker uses another version of Distiller (and I did not see a way to
>tell FrameMaker to use another). Still, if anyone has a better suggestion I
>would be most grateful.
Turn off "Generate Tagged PDF" in FrameMaker's PDF Setup dialog box, Tags tab;
recreate the .ps and distill again.
Shlomo Perets
MicroType, http://www.microtype.com
FrameMaker/Acrobat training & consulting * FrameMaker-to-Acrobat
TimeSavers/Assistants
Off topic - three general documentation questions
Saunders, Ian wrote: > My team are reviewing the Frame templates we use for producing PDF files. > It has been suggested that we: > > * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters > > * Begin main index entries with a capital letter > > * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not > blank in error. > > We have reached an impasse... > > I would be extremely grateful to anyone who can supply their take on the > relevant "industry standards" or maybe even point me at a definitive > statement. > I suggest assembling a collection of user manuals and books relevant to your industry as examples. I suspect you'll not find many embracing these ideas. Then alternatingly repeat "Why?" and "But nobody else does that!" until the proponents run screaming from the room. Richard Richard G. Combs Senior Technical Writer Polycom, Inc. richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom 303-223-5111 -- rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom 303-777-0436 --
Off topic - three general documentation questions
Here are my thoughts based on my deliverables, my users' needs, and my employer's expectations. Your responses may vary significantly based on those and other variables. * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters I use chapter numbers in my printed books and PDFs, but not in online help. IMO they serve a valuable navigation function for the reader of a printed doc, helping to keep his/her bearings in the mass of pages. * Begin main index entries with a capital letter I would not, partly because an index entry is not a sentence and the capitalization might imply a meaning that does not exist, but also because it is much quicker to make an index entry by simply double-clicking the term without having to edit it on the spot. Of course, you still have to edit it if it starts a sentence or is capitalized for any other reason, but that is not so often. * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. Because I print my books, I have all my chapters end on an even page, even if it is blank. My header and footer appear on those otherwise blank pages. The only time I get a question about it is when someone reads the PDF and comes upon a blank page for no obvious reason. Honestly, in 10 years with these templates the confusion has been brought to my attention maybe 6 times. Ymmv, etc, etc john -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Saunders, Ian Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 5:45 AM To: framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: Off topic - three general documentation questions Please forgive this off-topic query, but I have nowhere else to turn for help. My team are reviewing the Frame templates we use for producing PDF files. It has been suggested that we: * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters * Begin main index entries with a capital letter * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not blank in error. We have reached an impasse... I would be extremely grateful to anyone who can supply their take on the relevant "industry standards" or maybe even point me at a definitive statement. Many thanks! Ian Saunders Syntellect Inc ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as jsgammato at imprivata.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/jsgammato%40imprivat a.com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Off topic - three general documentation questions
> My team are reviewing the Frame templates we use for producing PDF files. > It has been suggested that we: > > * Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters > > * Begin main index entries with a capital letter > > * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not > blank in error. Regarding index entries, _The Chicago Manual of Style_ states: "18.10 Initial lowercase letters in main headings. The first word of a main heading is normally capitalized only if capitalized in text-- a proper noun, a genus name, the title of a work, and so on. Indexes in the sciences often avoid initial capitals because the distinction between capitalized and lowercased terms in the text may be crucial. Traditionally, all main headings in an index were capitalized; Chicago recommends the practice only where the subentries are so numerous that capitalized main headings make for easier navigation." The CMOS is a great reference to have on hand. It always seems to have the answers. Mike Wickham
FrameMaker and Accessibility
We're beginning to make our documents accessible, and we'd like to work in FrameMaker as much as possible, rather than retouch them in Acrobat. We have some icons that we use before notes, tips, and other asides. I'd prefer that the reader skip the graphic because the word "Note" is part of the text. However, in Acrobat the Reading Order tool shows the graphic as "No alternative text exists," and the person checking the document says that's not acceptable, even though it doesn't cause a reading problem. So is there any way to set the anchored frame properties for the graphic so that Acrobat will recognize it as background text and its Reading Order tool will ignore it? Is there any Accessibility group associated with FrameMaker? Best, Madeleine
FrameMaker and Accessibility
I think that this can be done, but I was under the impression that it required XML. I may be mistaken. You should check the Adobe.com forums. There is an Accessibility user group there. Scott Madeleine r Dimond wrote: > We're beginning to make our documents accessible, and we'd like to work in > FrameMaker as much as possible, rather than retouch them in Acrobat. > > We have some icons that we use before notes, tips, and other asides. I'd > prefer that the reader skip the graphic because the word "Note" is part of > the text. However, in Acrobat the Reading Order tool shows the graphic as > "No alternative text exists," and the person checking the document says > that's not acceptable, even though it doesn't cause a reading problem. > > So is there any way to set the anchored frame properties for the graphic > so that Acrobat will recognize it as background text and its Reading Order > tool will ignore it? > > Is there any Accessibility group associated with FrameMaker? > > Best, > > > Madeleine > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as quills at airmail.net. > > 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/quills%40airmail.net > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > > >
Off topic - three general documentation questions
> * ? ? ? ? Do not use chapter numbers/appendix letters Neither here nor there. Sometimes it's easier to reference by a single char, but ultimately this is a PDF and is searchable with a dynamic TOC. > * ? ? ? ? Begin main index entries with a capital letter Meh. Style issue. Let those who bark loudest win and then hold them to the convention. > * ? ? ? ? Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not > blank in error. Why on earth would you have blank PDF page? Who's going to take it, print it, and bind it, and then use only the printout? -- Bill Swallow Twitter: @techcommdood Blog: http://techcommdood.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/techcommdood
Off topic - three general documentation questions
> * Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not > blank in error. Why on earth would you have blank PDF page? Who's going to take it, print it, and bind it, and then use only the printout? *** I very seldom read any serious documentation online. When I am on the computer, I am productive in other ways. If the PDF is not printer-friendly, I will think it was put together by a rookie. PDFs are suitable for printing, until you screw it up. ymmv john
Off topic - three general documentation questions
Interesting. When I'm on the computer, I'm all over the Help and online docs. The only time I ever print anything is for "offline" reading. I guess ymrdv. On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 9:15 PM, John Sgammato wrote: >> * ? ? ? ? Put a logo (or message) on blank pages to show that they are not >> blank in error. > > Why on earth would you have blank PDF page? Who's going to take it, > print it, and bind it, and then use only the printout? > > *** > I very seldom read any serious documentation online. When I am on the > computer, I am productive in other ways. If the PDF is not printer-friendly, > I will think it was put together by a rookie. PDFs are suitable for printing, > until you screw it up. > ymmv > john > -- Bill Swallow Twitter: @techcommdood Blog: http://techcommdood.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/techcommdood
Estimating hrs for docs
I needed some input on how to plan new and updated documentation. We are in the Semiconductor business, working on user guides, reference manuals, and silicon validation reports. If you feel that this discussion is off-topic, please feel free to send me an email with your suggestion: knukh at hotmail.com Here is an estimate that I came across the STC website. Is this reasonable? Our documents are in Frame and Word. The final output is in PDF format. Baseline from the STC website: Writing new text 3 - 5 hours per page Revising existing text 1 - 3 hours per page Editing 6 - 8 pages per hour Production preparation 5 percent of all other activities Consider this preliminary estimate to represent the number of hours needed if you follow your ?normal? development process and if the project proceeds without any major problems. ** Thanks, Krishna _ Express your personality in color! Preview and select themes for Hotmail?. http://www.windowslive-hotmail.com/LearnMore/personalize.aspx?ocid=TXT_MSGTX_WL_HM_express_032009#colortheme
