OT: Describing software user interfaces using DITA
Hi I am looking at my software user interface and evaulating what should be tasks, comcepts and reference. Right now I am creating context-sensitive help and a paper manual (single-sourced). In my interface I can create hundreds of tasks, but they are very simple almost self-explanatory on screen. Tasks like Printing a report, Approving a result, Reviewing a result Writing a reject comment What is more difficult is to describe what happens behind the scene. What new features opens up for you depending on your choices. Yet another issue is that what is probably the most difficult for users to understand is typical reference information like all the symbols on different screens. They are not all intuitive and without documentation the user hasn't a clue to what is going on. Questions: Do you describe the very simple tasks? If so, how do you handle hundreds of small tasks in a paper manual? Where do you describe task-related connections between features? Where do you place reference information that is necessary for the user to know? Are there any good examples of DITA doumentation that illustrate my issues? Best regards, Verner Radiometer Medical ApS Akandevej 21 2700 Bronshoj Denmark Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 CVR: 27 50 91 85 www.radiometer.com For the latest trends in acute care testing, go to Radiometer's knowledge site www.acutecaretesting.org 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.
Re: Help: File gone berserk
Concerning missing fonts messages even though you have tried all the tricks to clear that font out of your document... There's a known issue with FrameMaker -- Maker stores font information with table formats. I think this is how it goes... If you copy/paste a table into your document, and it's not identical to an existing table format in your document, Maker creates a new table format under the covers, and stores font information with it. If you copied from a document that uses font X, then your document will now expect to have font X whenever it opens. The new table format can be created such that you have no direct access to the format definition. That means that you can't change the font definition. These table formats aren't even exposed to the API, which means you can't get a plugin or FrameScript tool to fix the problem -- believe me, if it was exposed to the API there would be fixes available. The only fix I know of is to open the file in MIF and search/replace the font name. I think you need to replace all variants of the font name, but I'm not sure... I'm kind of font-stupid, and I'm not sure what MIF does with incomplete font declarations. I have always removed all variants of the name... I suppose another thing to try would be to copy/paste all the content from your document into a new file built with a clean template. This would assume that the offending font is never included in any of the visible content, and you have no format overrides. I haven't tried this -- it just occurs to me now. Who knows... I could work. I really wish Adobe would expose this information in the API. cud ___ 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: Describing software user interfaces using DITA
Are you going to be at the tekom conference in Germany this November? If so, I'd love to take some time to talk about this one. However, as general statements, consider what users want to do, not the name of a dialog. The indeas such as prinint and approving or reviewing reports are a great start. However, what also becomes hugely important is to consider the audience and to organize information groups (maps) based on both the type of content you need, but also the audience in regards to their skills. If you figure out the topic level (not the specific element level) ideas of what the audience is, then it will help to determine what you should document and how deeply. You can, for example, decide that audience has administrator as it's primary target. The admin could be responsible for customizing. The experience level is general. So, for audience type=administrator job=customizing experience=general you can decide that the topics you include are more advanced. You assume they can print, heck, you may assume they can format c: and reinstall the OS if they are an average level administrator in the IT world. So, what can a user at that background do with your product? Perhaps user surveys. Ask people what is your job title and what are your skills and then use that to recover information on the audience that you can then use to decide on the tasks and the depth of detail. So, before anything, identify what users means in the context of your questions. Once you have ID'd who you are writing for, the type of content you write, and the depth of information may be easier to understand. So, based on that idea, I'll try the three questions. You ask where to describe the very simple tasks and I'd say you don't. *IF* your audience is at a level of skill that already can perform the simple tasks. Or build those tasks into a tutorial. Put together a tutorial on how to open a report, then how to review the report, and finally how to write a rejection comment. That covers two of the tasks in a single tutorial AND it lets the user do something. Heck, most of us can learn a lot by reading a well written tutorial. Where do you describe task-related connections between features is another question. If I understand that correctly, you want to know where you would put together the link for Reviewing/Approving. In a relationship table reltable (used by the maps) you can put a relationship between the two of these. Try to never put the links xref between your topics INSIDE the topics. Otherwise the famous unresolved xref idea could happen if you don't include required files. Just create the map and use the reltable as much as you can to drive the connections between the topics you write for the features. As for reference information, same idea. Put the links between topic/concept/reference/task into the map using the relationship table when you can. It's not something that is 100% the right answer but it will make a big difference in how you manage the links. By removing them from topics you reduce the likelyhood that one topic needs three others (which in turn each need 2, 3, 4 or however many more) and growing your single and simple set of three or four topics into a deliverable that needs 23 topics to print. So, know your audience, and ID them early. Learn what they will actually want and use. What are their goals? When will they likely have questions that trigger help and what do they know before doing so. Once they know all this, can they quickly find it because it's well detailed? And for links, use the maps and the reltables. Hopefully this is a bit of help. Let me know if there are more questions. Again, if you are at tekom, great. I'll hope you stop by and say hello. For anyone that is in North America, take the time to consider www.lavacon.org as well since I'll be there, as will others who are part of this forum and a few of the people behind DITA, the toolkit, and the tools that work with the architecture. Best of luck, Bernard Bernard Aschwanden President Publishing Smarter www.publishingsmarter.com -Original Message- I am looking at my software user interface and evaulating what should be tasks, comcepts and reference. Right now I am creating context-sensitive help and a paper manual (single-sourced). In my interface I can create hundreds of tasks, but they are very simple almost self-explanatory on screen. Tasks like Printing a report, Approving a result, Reviewing a result Writing a reject comment What is more difficult is to describe what happens behind the scene. What new features opens up for you depending on your choices. Yet another issue is that what is probably the most difficult for users to understand is typical reference information like all the symbols on different screens. They are not all intuitive and without documentation the user hasn't a clue to what is going on. Questions: Do you describe the very simple tasks? If so, how do you handle hundreds of small
RE: Mif2Go graphics question
Hi Jeremy, I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else can I try? Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jer...@omsys.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Cc: Martha Lee Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate the online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied to the wrap directory. Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, and see what happens: [all in one line] copy /Y C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus That is what we run, I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. In the copy command, + means to concatenate the file before the plus with the file after the plus. -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. jer...@omsys.com http://www.omsys.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.
Re: Mif2Go graphics question
Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Jeremy, I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else can I try? Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jer...@omsys.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Cc: Martha Lee Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate the online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied to the wrap directory. Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, and see what happens: [all in one line] copy /Y C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus That is what we run, I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. In the copy command, + means to concatenate the file before the plus with the file after the plus. -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. jer...@omsys.com http://www.omsys.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: Mif2Go graphics question
Hi Art, When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, Attributes is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Jeremy, I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else can I try? Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jer...@omsys.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Cc: Martha Lee Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate the online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied to the wrap directory. Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, and see what happens: [all in one line] copy /Y C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus That is what we run, I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. In the copy command, + means to concatenate the file before the plus with the file after the plus. -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. jer...@omsys.com http://www.omsys.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: Mif2Go graphics question
Hi Martha, Yes, that's what I'm asking about. If a directory's permissions are set to read-only, as yours seem to be, a process or user isn't supposed to be able to create files in that directory. I'd follow the directory tree upwards to find the starting point for the read-only setting, then change the properties to allow files to be created. You should get a prompt asking if you want to apply it to that directory or all files and sub-directories -- which you do want to do. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Art, When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, Attributes is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Jeremy, I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else can I try? Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jer...@omsys.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Cc: Martha Lee Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate the online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied to the wrap directory. Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, and see what happens: [all in one line] copy /Y C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus That is what we run, I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. In the copy command, + means to concatenate the file before the plus with the file after the plus. -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. jer...@omsys.com http://www.omsys.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: Mif2Go graphics question
Art, This is the Mif2Go output directory,and the html files are being created and put in the output directory and then the wrap directory. So if the problem was the Read-only attribute, wouldn't also prevent the html files from being placed in that directory? Also, if I right click on any folder in my C drive and select Properties, it has the Read-only option selected for that folder. Even those folders that I created and to which I can add or delete files. And if I unset that attribute, it doesn't stay unset. -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:20 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Hi Martha, Yes, that's what I'm asking about. If a directory's permissions are set to read-only, as yours seem to be, a process or user isn't supposed to be able to create files in that directory. I'd follow the directory tree upwards to find the starting point for the read-only setting, then change the properties to allow files to be created. You should get a prompt asking if you want to apply it to that directory or all files and sub-directories -- which you do want to do. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Art, When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, Attributes is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Jeremy, I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else can I try? Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jer...@omsys.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Cc: Martha Lee Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate the online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied to the wrap directory. Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, and see what happens: [all in one line] copy /Y C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus That is what we run, I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. In the copy command, + means to concatenate the file before the plus with the file after the plus. -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. jer...@omsys.com http://www.omsys.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
Re: Mif2Go graphics question
Martha, I don't _know_ that this is the problem -- I just suggested that you check it because incorrect permissions have the potential to screw things up. I agree with your logic that it seems as if a Read Only setting should prevent creation of HTML files in those directories, but I have also learned that it's dangerous to apply logic to computer operations. ;- ) If the permissions are being re-set, you may not be going high enough up the directory tree when you change permissions. If a parent directory is set to read-only, the child directories under it usually inherit that setting. So I'd walk back up the directory tree to ensure that you're getting the parent directory and change the permissions there. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 11:06 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Art, This is the Mif2Go output directory,and the html files are being created and put in the output directory and then the wrap directory. So if the problem was the Read-only attribute, wouldn't also prevent the html files from being placed in that directory? Also, if I right click on any folder in my C drive and select Properties, it has the Read-only option selected for that folder. Even those folders that I created and to which I can add or delete files. And if I unset that attribute, it doesn't stay unset. -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:20 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Hi Martha, Yes, that's what I'm asking about. If a directory's permissions are set to read-only, as yours seem to be, a process or user isn't supposed to be able to create files in that directory. I'd follow the directory tree upwards to find the starting point for the read-only setting, then change the properties to allow files to be created. You should get a prompt asking if you want to apply it to that directory or all files and sub-directories -- which you do want to do. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Art, When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, Attributes is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Jeremy, I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else can I try? Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jer...@omsys.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Cc: Martha Lee Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate the online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied to the wrap directory. Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, and see what happens: [all in one line] copy /Y C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus That is what we run, I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. If you really remove the
RE: Mif2Go graphics question
Art et al, The problem seems to be that Mif2Go is quite happy putting any file it creates or any file that is already in the Output directory in the wrap directory. But it is not executing the CopyGraphicsFrom setting I have in the mif2htm.ini file. I removed the problematic plus sign from the directory names, and that didn't solve my problem. I can write, copy and paste to the graphics directory and to the Mif2Go output and wrap directories. But for some reason, Mif2Go will not copy the graphic files from the specified directory to the wrap directory. If I execute the copy command from the command line, it works, but the automated process doesn't. Anybody had this problem? Sorry for taking up so much of the list bandwidth, but this is driving me crazy. Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 11:28 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Martha, I don't _know_ that this is the problem -- I just suggested that you check it because incorrect permissions have the potential to screw things up. I agree with your logic that it seems as if a Read Only setting should prevent creation of HTML files in those directories, but I have also learned that it's dangerous to apply logic to computer operations. ;- ) If the permissions are being re-set, you may not be going high enough up the directory tree when you change permissions. If a parent directory is set to read-only, the child directories under it usually inherit that setting. So I'd walk back up the directory tree to ensure that you're getting the parent directory and change the permissions there. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 11:06 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Art, This is the Mif2Go output directory,and the html files are being created and put in the output directory and then the wrap directory. So if the problem was the Read-only attribute, wouldn't also prevent the html files from being placed in that directory? Also, if I right click on any folder in my C drive and select Properties, it has the Read-only option selected for that folder. Even those folders that I created and to which I can add or delete files. And if I unset that attribute, it doesn't stay unset. -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:20 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Hi Martha, Yes, that's what I'm asking about. If a directory's permissions are set to read-only, as yours seem to be, a process or user isn't supposed to be able to create files in that directory. I'd follow the directory tree upwards to find the starting point for the read-only setting, then change the properties to allow files to be created. You should get a prompt asking if you want to apply it to that directory or all files and sub-directories -- which you do want to do. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Art, When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, Attributes is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: Hi Jeremy, I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the graphics are still not
Re: Mif2Go graphics question
I have no idea whether it will make a difference, but your GraphCopyFiles statement has a space following the equals sign. Have you tried removing it? ___ 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: Mif2Go graphics question
Thanks for the suggestion, but that wasn't the problem. Martha -Original Message- From: Jim Owens [mailto:jow...@magma.ca] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 1:12 PM To: Martha Lee Cc: Art Campbell; framers@lists.frameusers.com; Jeremy H. Griffith Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question I have no idea whether it will make a difference, but your GraphCopyFiles statement has a space following the equals sign. Have you tried removing it? ___ 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: Mif2Go graphics question
Jeremy H. Griffith wrote: Also, if you use StripGraphPath=No, and don't set a GraphPath, you are saying to preserve the original paths from the Frame files. Those are unlikely to work. If you are putting the graphics in the same dir as the HTML, you definitely want StripGraphPath=Yes. Hi, Martha. No one seems to have followed up Jeremy's remark about GraphPath. It's supposed to default to the value of WrapPath, but I infer that if StripGraphPath-No, it might get the original path as a value. This is all rather hazy for me. In a case like this, I'd set GraphPath explicitly just to see what happens. Section 33.51 says you can also use relative or absolute paths in the GraphCopyFiles statement. That also might be worth a try, again just to see what happens.. ___ 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: Mif2Go graphics question
On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:04:11 -0400, Martha Lee martha@coventor.com wrote: The problem seems to be that Mif2Go is quite happy putting any file it creates or any file that is already in the Output directory in the wrap directory. But it is not executing the CopyGraphicsFrom setting I have in the mif2htm.ini file. I removed the problematic plus sign from the directory names, and that didn't solve my problem. I can write, copy and paste to the graphics directory and to the Mif2Go output and wrap directories. But for some reason, Mif2Go will not copy the graphic files from the specified directory to the wrap directory. If I execute the copy command from the command line, it works, but the automated process doesn't. Anybody had this problem? Sorry for taking up so much of the list bandwidth, but this is driving me crazy. Wel, FWIW, *we've* never had that problem, nor has anyone ever reported it before... You didn't show [Graphics]GraphPath, so I assumed it was not set. If it is present, and is relative, we concatenate it to the wrap dir to make the destination. If it is absolute, we simply use it as the destination for graphics. If you have [Automation]LogAuto=Yes, you'll see a line in the Frame console output that shows the dir being made if it doesn't already exist. If that's not it, you could try doing the copy with a BookWrapCommand instead, as in par. 32.4.2.1, Executing a system command. At least then you could set [BookFileCommands] BookCommandWindow=Keep so you could see any error messages you get from Windows, which you can't with the Automation command. HTH! -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. jer...@omsys.com http://www.omsys.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.
RE: Help: File gone berserk
Thanks for the suggestion, Scott. I'll do that to get the offending fonts out of my docs. Meanwhile, I discovered that my problem was with my printer, even though I was creating a PDF. I had switched to a different printer (because the good printer I normally use was out of service for the day). Apparently, the printer didn't have the offending fonts installed, but why that should totally prevent me from creating a PDF is strange. Normally I just receive a font warning but I'm able to create the PDF. I use Frame 8 right now but I wonder if this problem (and I view it as a bug) exists in Frame 9? Lea Galanter Lead Technical Editor and Writer Attenex, an F T I company lgalan...@attenex.com www.attenex.com Phone: 206-689-4438 -Original Message- From: Scott White [mailto:swh...@alamark.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 7:15 AM To: Lea Galanter Cc: Frame Users Subject: Re: Help: File gone berserk You could save the file in question as a .mif file and open it a text editor and then search for the exact name of the font that is causing problems. I've used this trick many times. Scott White Media Production Manager Implementation Coordinator 210-704-8239 swh...@alamark.com On Sep 9, 2009, at 10:42 AM, Lea Galanter wrote: I'm hoping someone can help me out here. I attempted to create a PDF yesterday of a book that I've created numerous times before. For some unknown reason I received an error message in the log indicating that a certain font was not available. I occasionally get this message but I ignore it, because I have no idea why Frame thinks I'm using a font it doesn't have. It's never stopped a PDF from being created, until yesterday. Frame simply refused to create the PDF. I have no idea what's wrong with the file (it's the cover). The only font used is Arial. There are no other fonts in the file. I even did a Select All and reapplied Arial just in case, but to no avail. Has anyone ever had this problem before? Is there some way to search Frame files for a specific font in order to change it? Thanks for any help! Lea Galanter ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as swh...@alamark.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/swhite%40alamark.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: Cost of a basic FrameScript script
In case anyone is having problems finding it, the URL for the FrameScript group on Yahoo is http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/framescript-users/ Philip. ___ 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: Help: File gone berserk
Wow, this is very strange. I've been running into this same issue lately, so I did a quick test and that hidden table format is well and truly hidden, even from MIF which really surprised me. If I export the file to MIF and open it with a text editor, there is no mention of the missing font anywhere in the MIF file. And yet FrameMaker insists it is there, every time I open the FM file. But the good news is that exporting to MIF and then opening the MIF from inside FrameMaker finally kills off the zombie table definition. (So does unchecking Remember Missing Font Names in the preferences, but that might change more than you want.) This is using FrameMaker 7.2. I don't know if the behavior is any different in later versions. To make simpler, I think we should all stick to Courier New :-) Philip. On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 5:38 AM, Chris Despopoulos despopoulos_chr...@yahoo.com wrote: Concerning missing fonts messages even though you have tried all the tricks to clear that font out of your document... There's a known issue with FrameMaker -- Maker stores font information with table formats. I think this is how it goes... If you copy/paste a table into your document, and it's not identical to an existing table format in your document, Maker creates a new table format under the covers, and stores font information with it. If you copied from a document that uses font X, then your document will now expect to have font X whenever it opens. The new table format can be created such that you have no direct access to the format definition. That means that you can't change the font definition. These table formats aren't even exposed to the API, which means you can't get a plugin or FrameScript tool to fix the problem -- believe me, if it was exposed to the API there would be fixes available. The only fix I know of is to open the file in MIF and search/replace the font name. I think you need to replace all variants of the font name, but I'm not sure... I'm kind of font-stupid, and I'm not sure what MIF does with incomplete font declarations. I have always removed all variants of the name... I suppose another thing to try would be to copy/paste all the content from your document into a new file built with a clean template. This would assume that the offending font is never included in any of the visible content, and you have no format overrides. I haven't tried this -- it just occurs to me now. Who knows... I could work. I really wish Adobe would expose this information in the API. cud ___ 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: Remote Desktop and FrameMaker
All- From the information available to me, the source of our problem is our network connections and their interference with our ability to use Remote Desktop properly. Our IT department is addressing the problem. Thanks immensely for the many responses. Michelle __ Michelle Brabson * Technical Production Manager * SunGard Higher Education * 4 Country View Road, Malvern, PA 19355 * Tel 610-578-5040 * Fax 610-578-5400 * michelle.brab...@sungardhe.com * www.sungardhe.com Please consider the environment before printing this message. -Original Message- From: Catherine Woods [mailto:catw...@telus.net] Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:52 PM To: Brabson, Michelle; framers@lists.frameusers.com Cc: Dressner, Elizabeth Subject: RE: Remote Desktop and FrameMaker I was using FrameMaker with remote desktop today. It was fine as far as I could tell. -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Brabson, Michelle Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 8:28 AM To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Cc: Dressner, Elizabeth Subject: Remote Desktop and FrameMaker Hi-- Does anyone know if FrameMaker works with Remote Desktop? I have this set up and I find that several files I work with blow up. I do not have this problem on other configurations, that is, not using Remote Desktop. I am on FrameMaker 7.2. Any help is appreciated! Michelle __ Michelle Brabson * Technical Production Manager * SunGard Higher Education * 4 Country View Road, Malvern, PA 19355 * Tel 610-578-5040 * Fax 610-578-5400 * michelle.brab...@sungardhe.com * www.sungardhe.com Please consider the environment before printing this message. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as catw...@telus.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/catwood%40telus.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: Help: File gone berserk
Lea, When you are printing to a file it doesn't really matter if the physical printer is out there. You are only using the driver and creating a postscript file, even if you use the SaveAs PDF, a postscript file is created. On your Marketing graphics, they should be able to embed their unique fonts in their graphics, which should get rid of that problem. David Spreadbury Sr. Technical Writer -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Lea Galanter Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 9:54 AM To: Scott White Cc: Frame Users Subject: RE: Help: File gone berserk Thanks for the suggestion, Scott. I'll do that to get the offending fonts out of my docs. Meanwhile, I discovered that my problem was with my printer, even though I was creating a PDF. I had switched to a different printer (because the good printer I normally use was out of service for the day). Apparently, the printer didn't have the offending fonts installed, but why that should totally prevent me from creating a PDF is strange. Normally I just receive a font warning but I'm able to create the PDF. I use Frame 8 right now but I wonder if this problem (and I view it as a bug) exists in Frame 9? Lea Galanter Lead Technical Editor and Writer Attenex, an F T I company lgalan...@attenex.com www.attenex.com Phone: 206-689-4438 ___ 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: Help: File gone berserk
Thanks, Richard. Sorry I didn't provide background information. I have a feeling the font causing the problem is in a graphic (which came from the Marketing department, who uses different fonts than the documentation team). In which case, how do I handle that? I'll also use your suggestion about replacing the fonts permanently, because I know I receive an error message occasionally about that with reference to Courier and Courier New, and that's not problem to replace. Thanks for the help! Lea Galanter Lead Technical Editor and Writer Attenex, an F T I company lgalan...@attenex.com www.attenex.com Phone: 206-689-4438 -Original Message- From: Combs, Richard [mailto:richard.co...@polycom.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 7:42 AM To: Lea Galanter; framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: RE: Help: File gone berserk Lea Galanter wrote: I'm hoping someone can help me out here. I attempted to create a PDF yesterday of a book that I've created numerous times before. For some unknown reason I received an error message in the log indicating that a certain font was not available. I occasionally get this message but I ignore it, because I have no idea why Frame thinks I'm using a font it doesn't have. It's never stopped a PDF from being created, until yesterday. Frame simply refused to create the PDF. I have no idea what's wrong with the file (it's the cover). The only font used is Arial. There are no other fonts in the file. I even did a Select All and reapplied Arial just in case, but to no avail. Has anyone ever had this problem before? Is there some way to search Frame files for a specific font in order to change it? FM is punishing you for ignoring that missing font message for so long. ;-) Seriously, if the font's not being used (for instance, it exists only in a catalog definition or on a reference page), it shouldn't prevent Distiller from creating the PDF. Does the file contain an imported graphic that might contain the font? Further diagnosis would require further information. In general, it helps if you provide specifics like the OS, the FM version, the process you were using to PDF, the point in the process when it failed and the exact error message, the name of the missing font, etc. Here's the easiest way to get rid of missing font messages -- if they're not coming from imported graphics or text insets, and you're really, really sure the font shouldn't be there: Close the file with the missing font. Go to File Preferences General. Clear the Remember Missing Font Names check box and click Set. Reopen the file with the missing font. You'll get a slightly different missing font message because this time you're being asked if it's OK to replace the font permanently. Accept, save the file, and the font is gone. If you care about what it's replaced with, you'll need to learn about font mappings in the maker.ini file. HTH! 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: Help: File gone berserk
Lea Galanter wrote: Meanwhile, I discovered that my problem was with my printer, even though I was creating a PDF. I had switched to a different printer (because the good printer I normally use was out of service for the day). Apparently, the printer didn't have the offending fonts installed, but why that should totally prevent me from creating a PDF is strange. Normally I just receive a font warning but I'm able to create the PDF. I use Frame 8 right now but I wonder if this problem (and I view it as a bug) exists in Frame 9? First, you're always going to get a font warning when you change printers. That's because even if the printer you changed to has all the fonts you need, they may have different font metrics, causing line breaks in your document to change, which may change page breaks, which potentially may wreak havoc on your pagination (especially if you have hard page breaks in your document) and make entries in your index, TOC, etc., incorrect. Second, this is not a bug -- it's FM trying to protect you from yourself. Third, and most important, DO NOT create PDFs using a physical printer driver -- ANY physical printer driver. ALWAYS use the Adobe PDF printer instance -- ALWAYS! Having a font available on your printer is not the same as having it installed on your PC. Acrobat Distiller _cannot_ access fonts on your printers, only fonts installed on your PC. Even if there is no font problem, a PDF created using a specific physical printer driver will have all the limitations of that specific printer. If it's a monochrome laser printer, your PDFs won't have color. The physical printer's non-printable page margins will apply. And who knows what other device-specific limitations and special PostScript code will be applied to your PDFs. ALWAYS use Adobe PDF for creating PDFs. 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.
OT: Describing software user interfaces using DITA
Hi I am looking at my software user interface and evaulating what should be tasks, comcepts and reference. Right now I am creating context-sensitive help and a paper manual (single-sourced). In my interface I can create hundreds of tasks, but they are very simple almost self-explanatory on screen. Tasks like "Printing a report", "Approving a result", "Reviewing a result" "Writing a reject comment" What is more difficult is to describe what happens behind the scene. What new features opens up for you depending on your choices. Yet another issue is that what is probably the most difficult for users to understand is typical reference information like all the symbols on different screens. They are not all intuitive and without documentation the user hasn't a clue to what is going on. Questions: Do you describe the very simple tasks? If so, how do you handle hundreds of small tasks in a paper manual? Where do you describe task-related connections between features? Where do you place reference information that is necessary for the user to know? Are there any good examples of DITA doumentation that illustrate my issues? Best regards, Verner Radiometer Medical ApS Akandevej 21 2700 Bronshoj Denmark Phone: +45 38 27 38 27 CVR: 27 50 91 85 www.radiometer.com For the latest trends in acute care testing, go to Radiometer's knowledge site www.acutecaretesting.org 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.
Help: File gone berserk
Concerning missing fonts messages even though you have tried all the tricks to clear that font out of your document... There's a known issue with FrameMaker -- Maker stores font information with table formats. I think this is how it goes... If you copy/paste a table into your document, and it's not identical to an existing table format in your document, Maker creates a new table format under the covers, and stores font information with it. If you copied from a document that uses font X, then your document will now expect to have font X whenever it opens. The new table format can be created such that you have no direct access to the format definition. That means that you can't change the font definition. These table formats aren't even exposed to the API, which means you can't get a plugin or FrameScript tool to fix the problem -- believe me, if it was exposed to the API there would be fixes available. The only fix I know of is to open the file in MIF and search/replace the font name. I think you need to replace all variants of the font name, but I'm not sure... I'm kind of font-stupid, and I'm not sure what MIF does with incomplete font declarations. I have always removed all variants of the name... I suppose another thing to try would be to copy/paste all the content from your document into a new file built with a clean template. This would assume that the offending font is never included in any of the visible content, and you have no format overrides. I haven't tried this -- it just occurs to me now. Who knows... I could work. I really wish Adobe would expose this information in the API. cud
Describing software user interfaces using DITA
Are you going to be at the tekom conference in Germany this November? If so, I'd love to take some time to talk about this one. However, as general statements, consider what users want to do, not the name of a dialog. The indeas such as prinint and approving or reviewing reports are a great start. However, what also becomes hugely important is to consider the audience and to organize information groups (maps) based on both the type of content you need, but also the audience in regards to their skills. If you figure out the topic level (not the specific element level) ideas of what the audience is, then it will help to determine what you should document and how deeply. You can, for example, decide that audience has administrator as it's primary target. The admin could be responsible for customizing. The experience level is general. So, for you can decide that the topics you include are more advanced. You assume they can print, heck, you may assume they can format c: and reinstall the OS if they are an "average level" administrator in the IT world. So, what can a user at that background do with your product? Perhaps user surveys. Ask people "what is your job title and what are your skills" and then use that to recover information on the audience that you can then use to decide on the tasks and the depth of detail. So, before anything, identify what "users" means in the context of your questions. Once you have ID'd who you are writing for, the type of content you write, and the depth of information may be easier to understand. So, based on that idea, I'll try the three questions. You ask where to describe the very simple tasks and I'd say you don't. *IF* your audience is at a level of skill that already can perform the simple tasks. Or build those tasks into a tutorial. Put together a tutorial on how to open a report, then how to review the report, and finally how to write a rejection comment. That covers two of the tasks in a single tutorial AND it lets the user do something. Heck, most of us can learn a lot by reading a well written tutorial. Where do you describe task-related connections between features is another question. If I understand that correctly, you want to know where you would put together the link for Reviewing/Approving. In a relationship table (used by the maps) you can put a relationship between the two of these. Try to never put the links between your topics INSIDE the topics. Otherwise the famous "unresolved xref" idea could happen if you don't include required files. Just create the map and use the reltable as much as you can to drive the connections between the topics you write for the features. As for reference information, same idea. Put the links between topic/concept/reference/task into the map using the relationship table when you can. It's not something that is 100% the "right answer" but it will make a big difference in how you manage the links. By removing them from topics you reduce the likelyhood that one topic needs three others (which in turn each need 2, 3, 4 or however many more) and growing your single and simple set of three or four topics into a deliverable that needs 23 topics to print. So, know your audience, and ID them early. Learn what they will actually want and use. What are their goals? When will they likely have questions that trigger help and what do they know before doing so. Once they know all this, can they quickly find it because it's well detailed? And for links, use the maps and the reltables. Hopefully this is a bit of help. Let me know if there are more questions. Again, if you are at tekom, great. I'll hope you stop by and say hello. For anyone that is in North America, take the time to consider www.lavacon.org as well since I'll be there, as will others who are part of this forum and a few of the people behind DITA, the toolkit, and the tools that work with the architecture. Best of luck, Bernard Bernard Aschwanden President Publishing Smarter www.publishingsmarter.com -Original Message- I am looking at my software user interface and evaulating what should be tasks, comcepts and reference. Right now I am creating context-sensitive help and a paper manual (single-sourced). In my interface I can create hundreds of tasks, but they are very simple almost self-explanatory on screen. Tasks like "Printing a report", "Approving a result", "Reviewing a result" "Writing a reject comment" What is more difficult is to describe what happens behind the scene. What new features opens up for you depending on your choices. Yet another issue is that what is probably the most difficult for users to understand is typical reference information like all the symbols on different screens. They are not all intuitive and without documentation the user hasn't a clue to what is going on. Questions: Do you describe the very simple tasks? If so, how do you handle hundreds of small tasks in a paper manual? Where do you describe task-related
Mif2Go graphics question
Hi Jeremy, I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else can I try? Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jer...@omsys.com] Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM To: framers at lists.frameusers.com Cc: Martha Lee Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, "Martha Lee" wrote: >Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid >having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate the >online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't >solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied >to the wrap directory. Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, and see what happens: [all in one line] copy /Y "C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg" C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus That is what we run, I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. In the copy command, "+" means to concatenate the file before the plus with the file after the plus. -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. http://www.omsys.com/
Mif2Go graphics question
Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee wrote: > Hi Jeremy, > > I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the > graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else > can I try? > > Thanks. > > Martha > > -Original Message- > From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jeremy at omsys.com] > Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM > To: framers at lists.frameusers.com > Cc: Martha Lee > Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question > > > On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, "Martha Lee" > wrote: > >>Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid >>having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate > the >>online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't >>solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied >>to the wrap directory. > > Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, > and see what happens: > > [all in one line] > copy /Y "C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg" > C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus > > That is what we run, ?I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. > If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. > > In the copy command, "+" means to concatenate the file before > the plus with the file after the plus. > > -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. > ? ?http://www.omsys.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. >
Mif2Go graphics question
Hi Art, When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, Attributes is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee wrote: > Hi Jeremy, > > I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but the > graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What else > can I try? > > Thanks. > > Martha > > -Original Message- > From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jeremy at omsys.com] > Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM > To: framers at lists.frameusers.com > Cc: Martha Lee > Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question > > > On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, "Martha Lee" > wrote: > >>Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid >>having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate > the >>online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't >>solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied >>to the wrap directory. > > Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, > and see what happens: > > [all in one line] > copy /Y "C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg" > C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus > > That is what we run, ?I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. > If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. > > In the copy command, "+" means to concatenate the file before > the plus with the file after the plus. > > -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. > ? ?http://www.omsys.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. >
Mif2Go graphics question
Hi Martha, Yes, that's what I'm asking about. If a directory's permissions are set to read-only, as yours seem to be, a process or user isn't supposed to be able to create files in that directory. I'd follow the directory tree upwards to find the starting point for the read-only setting, then change the properties to allow files to be created. You should get a prompt asking if you want to apply it to that directory or all files and sub-directories -- which you do want to do. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM, Martha Lee wrote: > Hi Art, > > When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, Attributes > is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? > > And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties > dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. > > Thanks. > > Martha > > -Original Message- > From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campbell at gmail.com] > Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM > To: Martha Lee > Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com > Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question > > > Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write > permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure > something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? > > 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee > wrote: >> Hi Jeremy, >> >> I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but > the >> graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What > else >> can I try? >> >> Thanks. >> >> Martha >> >> -Original Message- >> From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jeremy at omsys.com] >> Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM >> To: framers at lists.frameusers.com >> Cc: Martha Lee >> Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question >> >> >> On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, "Martha Lee" >> wrote: >> >>>Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid >>>having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate >> the >>>online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't >>>solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied >>>to the wrap directory. >> >> Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, >> and see what happens: >> >> [all in one line] >> copy /Y "C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg" >> C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus >> >> That is what we run, ?I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. >> If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. >> >> In the copy command, "+" means to concatenate the file before >> the plus with the file after the plus. >> >> -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. >> ? ?http://www.omsys.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. >> > >
Mif2Go graphics question
Art, This is the Mif2Go output directory,and the html files are being created and put in the output directory and then the wrap directory. So if the problem was the Read-only attribute, wouldn't also prevent the html files from being placed in that directory? Also, if I right click on any folder in my C drive and select Properties, it has the Read-only option selected for that folder. Even those folders that I created and to which I can add or delete files. And if I unset that attribute, it doesn't stay unset. -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:20 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Hi Martha, Yes, that's what I'm asking about. If a directory's permissions are set to read-only, as yours seem to be, a process or user isn't supposed to be able to create files in that directory. I'd follow the directory tree upwards to find the starting point for the read-only setting, then change the properties to allow files to be created. You should get a prompt asking if you want to apply it to that directory or all files and sub-directories -- which you do want to do. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM, Martha Lee wrote: > Hi Art, > > When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, Attributes > is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? > > And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties > dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. > > Thanks. > > Martha > > -Original Message- > From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campbell at gmail.com] > Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM > To: Martha Lee > Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com > Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question > > > Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write > permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure > something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? > > 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee wrote: >> Hi Jeremy, >> >> I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but > the >> graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What > else >> can I try? >> >> Thanks. >> >> Martha >> >> -Original Message- >> From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jeremy at omsys.com] >> Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM >> To: framers at lists.frameusers.com >> Cc: Martha Lee >> Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question >> >> >> On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, "Martha Lee" >> wrote: >> >>>Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid >>>having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate >> the >>>online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't >>>solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically copied >>>to the wrap directory. >> >> Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, >> and see what happens: >> >> [all in one line] >> copy /Y "C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMSplus\*.jpg" >> C:\rep\documentation\trunk\MEMS+OmniHelp\MEMSplus >> >> That is what we run, ?I'll bet that it does *not* copy the files. >> If you really remove the plus from the directory name, it will. >> >> In the copy command, "+" means to concatenate the file before >> the plus with the file after the plus. >> >> -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. >> ? ?http://www.omsys.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. >> > >
Mif2Go graphics question
Martha, I don't _know_ that this is the problem -- I just suggested that you check it because incorrect permissions have the potential to screw things up. I agree with your logic that it seems as if a Read Only setting should prevent creation of HTML files in those directories, but I have also learned that it's dangerous to apply logic to computer operations. ;- ) If the permissions are being re-set, you may not be going high enough up the directory tree when you change permissions. If a parent directory is set to read-only, the child directories under it usually inherit that setting. So I'd walk back up the directory tree to ensure that you're getting the parent directory and change the permissions there. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 11:06 AM, Martha Lee wrote: > Art, > > This is the Mif2Go output directory,and the html files are being created and > put in the output directory and then the wrap directory. So if the problem > was the Read-only attribute, wouldn't also prevent the html files from being > placed in that directory? > > Also, if I right click on any folder in my C drive and select Properties, it > has the Read-only option selected for that folder. Even those folders that I > created and to which I can add or delete files. And if I unset that > attribute, it doesn't stay unset. > > -Original Message- > From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campbell at gmail.com] > Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:20 AM > To: Martha Lee > Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com > Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question > > > Hi Martha, > > Yes, that's what I'm asking about. If a directory's permissions are > set to read-only, as yours seem to be, ?a process or user isn't > supposed to be able to create files in that directory. > > I'd follow the directory tree upwards to find the starting point for > the read-only setting, then change the properties to allow files to be > created. You should get a prompt asking if you want to apply it to > that directory or all files and sub-directories -- which you do want > to do. > > 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM, Martha Lee > wrote: >> Hi Art, >> >> When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, > Attributes >> is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? >> >> And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties >> dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. >> >> Thanks. >> >> Martha >> >> -Original Message- >> From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campbell at gmail.com] >> Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM >> To: Martha Lee >> Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com >> Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question >> >> >> Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write >> permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure >> something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? >> >> 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee > wrote: >>> Hi Jeremy, >>> >>> I renamed the output directory so that it does not have a plus sign, but >> the >>> graphics are still not copied automatically to the wrap directory. What >> else >>> can I try? >>> >>> Thanks. >>> >>> Martha >>> >>> -Original Message- >>> From: Jeremy H. Griffith [mailto:jeremy at omsys.com] >>> Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:25 PM >>> To: framers at lists.frameusers.com >>> Cc: Martha Lee >>> Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question >>> >>> >>> On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:52:55 -0400, "Martha Lee" > >>> wrote: >>> Running the copy command from the command prompt works. So how do I avoid having to run the commands from the command line every time I regenerate >>> the online help? Getting rid of the plus sign in the directory path doesn't solve the problem as to why the graphics aren't being automatically > copied to the wrap directory. >>> >>> Try running the *full* command, with the part containing the plus, >>> and see what happens: >>> >>> [all in one line] >>> copy /Y
Mif2Go graphics question
Art et al, The problem seems to be that Mif2Go is quite happy putting any file it creates or any file that is already in the Output directory in the wrap directory. But it is not executing the CopyGraphicsFrom setting I have in the mif2htm.ini file. I removed the problematic plus sign from the directory names, and that didn't solve my problem. I can write, copy and paste to the graphics directory and to the Mif2Go output and wrap directories. But for some reason, Mif2Go will not copy the graphic files from the specified directory to the wrap directory. If I execute the copy command from the command line, it works, but the automated process doesn't. Anybody had this problem? Sorry for taking up so much of the list bandwidth, but this is driving me crazy. Thanks. Martha -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campb...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 11:28 AM To: Martha Lee Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question Martha, I don't _know_ that this is the problem -- I just suggested that you check it because incorrect permissions have the potential to screw things up. I agree with your logic that it seems as if a Read Only setting should prevent creation of HTML files in those directories, but I have also learned that it's dangerous to apply logic to computer operations. ;- ) If the permissions are being re-set, you may not be going high enough up the directory tree when you change permissions. If a parent directory is set to read-only, the child directories under it usually inherit that setting. So I'd walk back up the directory tree to ensure that you're getting the parent directory and change the permissions there. 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 11:06 AM, Martha Lee wrote: > Art, > > This is the Mif2Go output directory,and the html files are being created and > put in the output directory and then the wrap directory. So if the problem > was the Read-only attribute, wouldn't also prevent the html files from being > placed in that directory? > > Also, if I right click on any folder in my C drive and select Properties, it > has the Read-only option selected for that folder. Even those folders that I > created and to which I can add or delete files. And if I unset that > attribute, it doesn't stay unset. > > -Original Message- > From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campbell at gmail.com] > Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:20 AM > To: Martha Lee > Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com > Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question > > > Hi Martha, > > Yes, that's what I'm asking about. If a directory's permissions are > set to read-only, as yours seem to be, ?a process or user isn't > supposed to be able to create files in that directory. > > I'd follow the directory tree upwards to find the starting point for > the read-only setting, then change the properties to allow files to be > created. You should get a prompt asking if you want to apply it to > that directory or all files and sub-directories -- which you do want > to do. > > 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM, Martha Lee > wrote: >> Hi Art, >> >> When I right click on the output directory and select Properties, > Attributes >> is set to Read-only. Is this what you are referring to? >> >> And if I unselect Read-only, click on OK, and then reopen the Properties >> dialog, the Attributes is again set to Read-only. >> >> Thanks. >> >> Martha >> >> -Original Message- >> From: Art Campbell [mailto:art.campbell at gmail.com] >> Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:47 AM >> To: Martha Lee >> Cc: Jeremy H. Griffith; framers at lists.frameusers.com >> Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question >> >> >> Martha, this is a long shot, but have you checked the read/write >> permissions on all the directories in that tree, to make sure >> something isn't inadvertently set to Read Only? >> >> 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, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:19 AM, Martha Lee > wrote: >>> Hi Jeremy, >>> >>> I renamed the
Mif2Go graphics question
I have no idea whether it will make a difference, but your GraphCopyFiles statement has a space following the equals sign. Have you tried removing it?
Mif2Go graphics question
Thanks for the suggestion, but that wasn't the problem. Martha -Original Message- From: Jim Owens [mailto:jow...@magma.ca] Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 1:12 PM To: Martha Lee Cc: Art Campbell; framers at lists.frameusers.com; Jeremy H. Griffith Subject: Re: Mif2Go graphics question I have no idea whether it will make a difference, but your GraphCopyFiles statement has a space following the equals sign. Have you tried removing it?
Mif2Go graphics question
Jeremy H. Griffith wrote: > > Also, if you use StripGraphPath=No, and don't set a GraphPath, you > are saying to preserve the original paths from the Frame files. > Those are unlikely to work. If you are putting the graphics in > the same dir as the HTML, you definitely want StripGraphPath=Yes. > > Hi, Martha. No one seems to have followed up Jeremy's remark about GraphPath. It's supposed to default to the value of WrapPath, but I infer that if StripGraphPath-No, it might get the original path as a value. This is all rather hazy for me. In a case like this, I'd set GraphPath explicitly just to see what happens. Section 33.51 says you can also use relative or absolute paths in the GraphCopyFiles statement. That also might be worth a try, again just to see what happens..
Mif2Go graphics question
On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:04:11 -0400, "Martha Lee" wrote: >The problem seems to be that Mif2Go is quite happy putting any file it >creates or any file that is already in the Output directory in the wrap >directory. But it is not executing the CopyGraphicsFrom setting I have in >the mif2htm.ini file. I removed the problematic plus sign from the directory >names, and that didn't solve my problem. I can write, copy and paste to the >graphics directory and to the Mif2Go output and wrap directories. But for >some reason, Mif2Go will not copy the graphic files from the specified >directory to the wrap directory. If I execute the copy command from the >command line, it works, but the automated process doesn't. > >Anybody had this problem? Sorry for taking up so much of the list bandwidth, >but this is driving me crazy. Wel, FWIW, *we've* never had that problem, nor has anyone ever reported it before... You didn't show [Graphics]GraphPath, so I assumed it was not set. If it is present, and is relative, we concatenate it to the wrap dir to make the destination. If it is absolute, we simply use it as the destination for graphics. If you have [Automation]LogAuto=Yes, you'll see a line in the Frame console output that shows the dir being made if it doesn't already exist. If that's not it, you could try doing the copy with a BookWrapCommand instead, as in par. 32.4.2.1, "Executing a system command". At least then you could set [BookFileCommands] BookCommandWindow=Keep so you could see any error messages you get from Windows, which you can't with the Automation command. HTH! -- Jeremy H. Griffith, at Omni Systems Inc. http://www.omsys.com/
Help: File gone berserk
Wow, this is very strange. I've been running into this same issue lately, so I did a quick test and that hidden table format is well and truly hidden, even from MIF which really surprised me. If I export the file to MIF and open it with a text editor, there is no mention of the missing font anywhere in the MIF file. And yet FrameMaker insists it is there, every time I open the FM file. But the good news is that exporting to MIF and then opening the MIF from inside FrameMaker finally kills off the zombie table definition. (So does unchecking "Remember Missing Font Names" in the preferences, but that might change more than you want.) This is using FrameMaker 7.2. I don't know if the behavior is any different in later versions. To make simpler, I think we should all stick to Courier New :-) Philip. On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 5:38 AM, Chris Despopoulos < despopoulos_chriss at yahoo.com> wrote: > Concerning missing fonts messages even though you have tried all the tricks > to clear that font out of your document... > > There's a known issue with FrameMaker -- Maker stores font information with > table formats. I think this is how it goes... If you copy/paste a table into > your document, and it's not identical to an existing table format in your > document, Maker creates a new table format under the covers, and stores font > information with it. If you copied from a document that uses font X, then > your document will now expect to have font X whenever it opens. > > The new table format can be created such that you have no direct access to > the format definition. That means that you can't change the font > definition. These table formats aren't even exposed to the API, which means > you can't get a plugin or FrameScript tool to fix the problem -- believe me, > if it was exposed to the API there would be fixes available. > > The only fix I know of is to open the file in MIF and search/replace the > font name. I think you need to replace all variants of the font name, but > I'm not sure... I'm kind of font-stupid, and I'm not sure what MIF does > with incomplete font declarations. I have always removed all variants of > the name... > > I suppose another thing to try would be to copy/paste all the content from > your document into a new file built with a clean template. This would > assume that the offending font is never included in any of the visible > content, and you have no format overrides. I haven't tried this -- it just > occurs to me now. Who knows... I could work. > > I really wish Adobe would expose this information in the API. > > cud > > >
Remote Desktop and FrameMaker
All- >From the information available to me, the source of our problem is our network >connections and their interference with our ability to use Remote Desktop >properly. Our IT department is addressing the problem. Thanks immensely for >the many responses. Michelle __ Michelle Brabson * Technical Production Manager * SunGard Higher Education * 4 Country View Road, Malvern, PA 19355 * Tel 610-578-5040 * Fax 610-578-5400 * Michelle.Brabson at sungardhe.com * www.sungardhe.com Please consider the environment before printing this message. -Original Message- From: Catherine Woods [mailto:catw...@telus.net] Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:52 PM To: Brabson, Michelle; framers at lists.frameusers.com Cc: Dressner, Elizabeth Subject: RE: Remote Desktop and FrameMaker I was using FrameMaker with remote desktop today. It was fine as far as I could tell. -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Brabson, Michelle Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 8:28 AM To: framers at lists.frameusers.com Cc: Dressner, Elizabeth Subject: Remote Desktop and FrameMaker Hi-- Does anyone know if FrameMaker works with Remote Desktop? I have this set up and I find that several files I work with blow up. I do not have this problem on other configurations, that is, not using Remote Desktop. I am on FrameMaker 7.2. Any help is appreciated! Michelle __ Michelle Brabson * Technical Production Manager * SunGard Higher Education * 4 Country View Road, Malvern, PA 19355 * Tel 610-578-5040 * Fax 610-578-5400 * Michelle.Brabson at sungardhe.com * www.sungardhe.com Please consider the environment before printing this message. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as catwood at telus.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/catwood%40telus.net Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Help: File gone berserk
Lea, When you are printing to a file it doesn't really matter if the physical printer is out there. You are only using the driver and creating a postscript file, even if you use the SaveAs PDF, a postscript file is created. On your Marketing graphics, they should be able to embed their unique fonts in their graphics, which should get rid of that problem. David Spreadbury Sr. Technical Writer -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Lea Galanter Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 9:54 AM To: Scott White Cc: Frame Users Subject: RE: Help: File gone berserk Thanks for the suggestion, Scott. I'll do that to get the offending fonts out of my docs. Meanwhile, I discovered that my problem was with my printer, even though I was creating a PDF. I had switched to a different printer (because the "good" printer I normally use was out of service for the day). Apparently, the printer didn't have the "offending" fonts installed, but why that should totally prevent me from creating a PDF is strange. Normally I just receive a font warning but I'm able to create the PDF. I use Frame 8 right now but I wonder if this problem (and I view it as a bug) exists in Frame 9? Lea Galanter Lead Technical Editor and Writer Attenex, an F T I company lgalanter at attenex.com www.attenex.com Phone: 206-689-4438
Help: File gone berserk
Lea Galanter wrote: > Meanwhile, I discovered that my problem was with my printer, even though > I was creating a PDF. I had switched to a different printer (because the > "good" printer I normally use was out of service for the day). > Apparently, the printer didn't have the "offending" fonts installed, but > why that should totally prevent me from creating a PDF is strange. > Normally I just receive a font warning but I'm able to create the PDF. I > use Frame 8 right now but I wonder if this problem (and I view it as a > bug) exists in Frame 9? First, you're always going to get a "font warning" when you change printers. That's because even if the printer you changed to has all the fonts you need, they may have different font metrics, causing line breaks in your document to change, which may change page breaks, which potentially may wreak havoc on your pagination (especially if you have hard page breaks in your document) and make entries in your index, TOC, etc., incorrect. Second, this is not a bug -- it's FM trying to protect you from yourself. Third, and most important, DO NOT create PDFs using a physical printer driver -- ANY physical printer driver. ALWAYS use the Adobe PDF printer instance -- ALWAYS! Having a font available on your printer is not the same as having it installed on your PC. Acrobat Distiller _cannot_ access fonts on your printers, only fonts installed on your PC. Even if there is no font problem, a PDF created using a specific physical printer driver will have all the limitations of that specific printer. If it's a monochrome laser printer, your PDFs won't have color. The physical printer's non-printable page margins will apply. And who knows what other device-specific limitations and special PostScript code will be applied to your PDFs. ALWAYS use Adobe PDF for creating PDFs. Richard Richard G. Combs Senior Technical Writer Polycom, Inc. richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom 303-223-5111 -- rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom 303-777-0436 --
