Re: [Framers] Arbortext v Frame
d me and them arguing somewhere in time). My point is that it is like the difference between a $120 inkjet you might have at home and a $30,000 printer/copier/scanner/fax machine you might find in your company's mail/kitchen/break rooms. You didn't ask about server management ... I alluded to it above, but if you are going to use Publishing Engine to make your PDFs, you will be standing up at least one server (plus DEV, plus QA, plus DR, depending on your company's philosophy about continuity). This might come with oversight from other divisions within your company (networking, storage, security, etc.), it might not. Again, depends on your company. Don't get me wrong: I really like the Arbortext products. (And, yeah, duh, I am biased.) Arbortext is a wicked powerful, massively customizable, highly capable, mature technology. It is not, however, something you should probably convert to from FrameMaker without a fully funded Project and a very, very clear understanding of the R and I in your ROI. On Tue, Nov 20, 2018 at 6:48 AM Alan Houser wrote: > I've seen this before. The sales staff at PTC (parent company of > Arbortext) are _very_ good. They reach exactly the right people, at the > right level in the organization, to make the sale. They are likely > selling Arbortext as a companion to PTC's other enterprise product data > management products (namely, Windchill). Writers are typically not > involved in the enterprise sale. > > I've seen organizations create and deliver effective documentation with > any number of tools, including Arbortext. For certain applications > (writing to MIL-Specs, for example), Arbortext will be substantially > easier out-of-the box than FrameMaker. > > Migrating structured FrameMaker content will be a big challenge. > Customer-specific EDDs and templates will be problematic. Although, in > fairness, Arbortext's formatting tools are far better than when FOSI > knowledge was a requirement. And it's probably a Good Thing from an > efficiency perspective to minimize or avoid customer-specific > customizations. > > This only tangentially addresses your questions, but I wanted to provide > some perspective about your situation. > > -Alan > > > On 11/19/18 7:33 PM, ROSS, Chris wrote: > > My company is thinking of changing from Framemaker to Arbortext. I have > been asked to attend a meeting, consisting mainly of managers and > accountants, to represent the Tech writing population. > > I have never used Arbortext before and am finding it very difficult to > download a trial version to make any viable comparison. I would appreciate > any input from other writers who have used Arbortext. > > Currently: > > > > *We use Frame for all our technical documentation and deliver > usually as PDF. > > > > *Use structured Framemaker 17. > > > > *Have EDDs and templates for each customer which can be modified > if required. > > > > *Use defence standards. > > > > *We use Sharepoint for our configuration management but have to > either Zip the frame files or PDF them to put them in Sharepoint. > > > > *All graphics are referenced and are in JPEG, TIFF, WMF or PNG. > > > > *Conditional text is often used. > > The main questions I have are: > > > > *Is Arbortex easy to use and intuitive? > > > > *Can Frame documents be imported into Arbortex easily and work? > > > > *How easy is it to create templates/EDDs (equivalent) in > Arbortext and modify them? > > > > *Can conditional text (or equivalent) be used in Arbortex? > > > > *Can JPEGs, TIFFs etc. be imported into Arbortex? > > > > *Are Arbortex and Sharepoint compatible? > > > > *Anything that Frame can do that Arbortex wont? > > > > I am very happy using Frame and would like any valid reason for not > changing over. > > Thank you. > > > > > > Chris Ross > > Senior Technical Writer > > Sustainment and Engineering Solutions > > BAE Systems Australia > > > > > > > -- > Alan Houser > Group Wellesley, Inc. > Consultant and Trainer, Technical Publishing > arh on Twitter > 412-450-0532 > > ___ > > This message is from the Framers mailing list > > Send messages to framers@lists.frameusers.com > Visit the list's homepage at http://www.frameusers.com > Archives located at > http://www.mail-archive.com/framers%40lists.frameusers.com/ > Subscribe and unsubscribe at > http://lists.frameusers.com/listinfo.cgi/framers-frameusers.com > Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com > -- Paul Nagai ___ This message is from the Framers mailing list Send messages to framers@lists.frameusers.com Visit the list's homepage at http://www.frameusers.com Archives located at http://www.mail-archive.com/framers%40lists.frameusers.com/ Subscribe and unsubscribe at http://lists.frameusers.com/listinfo.cgi/framers-frameusers.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com
Re: Big batch of old messages arrived this morning
I saw the same thing. On Thu, Aug 23, 2012 at 8:34 AM, Combs, Richard richard.co...@polycom.comwrote: This morning, my FrameUsers folder contained 50 new messages, some dating back to Aug. 1. I'm wondering if others have had the same experience, or if it's something done to me by the mail system here. Richard G. Combs Senior Technical Writer Polycom, Inc. richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom 303-223-5111 -- rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom 303-903-6372 -- ___ You are currently subscribed to framers as nagli...@gmail.com. Send list messages to framers@lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscr...@lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/naglists%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. -- Paul Nagai ___ You are currently subscribed to framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to framers@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.
Big batch of old messages arrived this morning
I saw the same thing. On Thu, Aug 23, 2012 at 8:34 AM, Combs, Richard wrote: > This morning, my FrameUsers folder contained 50 "new" messages, some > dating back to Aug. 1. I'm wondering if others have had the same > experience, or if it's something done to me by the mail system here. > > Richard G. Combs > Senior Technical Writer > Polycom, Inc. > richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom > 303-223-5111 > -- > rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom > 303-903-6372 > -- > > > > > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to framers as naglists 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/naglists%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > -- Paul Nagai -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.frameusers.com/pipermail/framers/attachments/20120823/e4cc5531/attachment.html>
Re: way OT - used copy of Arbor Text
On Fri, Apr 8, 2011 at 1:08 AM, Studio Smalbro stu...@smalbro.dk wrote: I'm looking for a used copy of Arbor Text - but being such a niche product it is hard to find. Would anybody know where to look for such a creature ? Chances are pretty good that only very old versions of Arbortext Epic (it is currently called Arbortext Editor) are out there somewhere on CD. Quite some time ago, Arbortext (now owned by PTC.com) stopped shipping media relying solely on downloads. (A media option exists for customers for whom downloading is problematic, but I would guess the EULA does not support resale or any other sort of transfer ... that said, I don't read EULAs ;) Anyhow, as for those very old CDs, I would bet that nearly all of those copies are owned not by individuals but by companies with little (and, in fact, more likely a dis-) incentive to sell, give, or loan old CDs. All that said ... maybe this page will help you find a likely place look. http://www.squidoo.com/arbortext If you are interested in demo'ing a current version, I can put you in touch with someone who will be able to direct you to the right place to make that request. Good luck! -- Paul Nagai ___ You are currently subscribed to framers as arch...@mail-archive.com. Send list messages to framers@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.
way OT - used copy of Arbor Text
On Fri, Apr 8, 2011 at 1:08 AM, Studio Smalbro wrote: > I'm looking for a used copy of Arbor Text - but being such a niche product > it is hard to find. Would anybody know where to look for such a "creature" ? > Chances are pretty good that only very old versions of Arbortext Epic (it is currently called Arbortext Editor) are out there somewhere on CD. Quite some time ago, Arbortext (now owned by PTC.com) stopped shipping media relying solely on downloads. (A media option exists for customers for whom downloading is problematic, but I would guess the EULA does not support resale or any other sort of transfer ... that said, I don't read EULAs ;) Anyhow, as for those very old CDs, I would bet that nearly all of those copies are owned not by individuals but by companies with little (and, in fact, more likely a dis-) incentive to sell, give, or loan old CDs. All that said ... maybe this page will help you find a likely place look. http://www.squidoo.com/arbortext If you are interested in demo'ing a current version, I can put you in touch with someone who will be able to direct you to the right place to make that request. Good luck! -- Paul Nagai -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.frameusers.com/pipermail/framers/attachments/20110408/5a49a997/attachment.html>
Re: Epic x FrameMaker x Epic XML glitches?
Hi Art, I am not aware of anyone doing this as part of their workflow. I do subscribe to the theory, however, that the active word in round tripping XML is trip. Preserving, adding, removing, re-adding, ignoring special stuff each application might require (think processing instructions) can be challenging. Forget about the complexity of the ... forgive me, I forget the exact Frame term ... edit rules (the structure map used during import/export or open/close or something along those lines). Maybe if your customer is using extremely small, simple chunks the effort could be worth it. But if that were so, you probably wouldn't prefer to use Frame if possible (making all sorts of wild assumptions about what you're trying to do). On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 6:07 AM, Art Campbell art.campb...@gmail.comwrote: A client is currently using Epic as their XML editor. Has anyone run into any problems round-tripping Epic XML files (with DTD) through FM 9 and back into Epic? TIA, Cheers, Art Art Campbell art.campb...@gmail.com ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358 ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as nagli...@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/naglists%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to listad...@frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. -- Paul Nagai ___ 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.
Epic x FrameMaker x Epic XML glitches?
Hi Art, I am not aware of anyone doing this as part of their workflow. I do subscribe to the theory, however, that the active word in "round tripping XML" is "trip." Preserving, adding, removing, re-adding, ignoring "special" stuff each application might require (think processing instructions) can be challenging. Forget about the complexity of the ... forgive me, I forget the exact Frame term ... "edit rules" (the structure map used during import/export or open/close or something along those lines). Maybe if your customer is using extremely small, simple chunks the effort could be worth it. But if that were so, you probably wouldn't prefer to use Frame if possible (making all sorts of wild assumptions about what you're trying to do). On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 6:07 AM, Art Campbell wrote: > A client is currently using Epic as their XML editor. > > Has anyone run into any problems round-tripping Epic XML files (with > DTD) through FM 9 and back into Epic? > > TIA, > Cheers, > Art > > Art Campbell > art.campbell at gmail.com > "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 > Vincent and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson > No disclaimers apply. > DoD 358 > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as naglists 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/naglists%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > -- Paul Nagai
Re: OT: PTC Epic Guru
Hi Bernard, PTC/Arbortext Epic's latest version is named Arbortext Editor. Adding Arbortext Editor to any searches you are performing, any requests you are sending, etc. may help you in your search. (PTC purchased Arbortext a while ago, but its users and gurus largely still refer to the products by their Arbortext moniker.) I will pass this on to people I know in that world. FWIW: The PTC/User conference, which attracts many, many Arbortext developers, is coming in June 7-10 2009 in Orlando, FL, USA. You may be able to leverage that convergence of people in your search somehow. On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 11:47 AM, Bernard Aschwanden (Publishing Smarter) bern...@publishingsmarter.com wrote: Hi to all: I've been asked by a business partner to find a person who knows the PTC Epic side of things inside and out. Someone who can do API development work and is available to work on an interesting project to connect a CMS into Epic. If you know of anyone who can do this, please let me know offlist. Email directly to me and I'll follow up as soon as possible. Thanks to all, Bernard Bernard Aschwanden President Publishing Smarter www.publishingsmarter.com -- Paul Nagai ___ 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: PTC Epic Guru
Hi Bernard, PTC/Arbortext Epic's latest version is named Arbortext Editor. Adding "Arbortext Editor" to any searches you are performing, any requests you are sending, etc. may help you in your search. (PTC purchased Arbortext a while ago, but its users and gurus largely still refer to the products by their Arbortext moniker.) I will pass this on to people I know in that world. FWIW: The PTC/User conference, which attracts many, many Arbortext developers, is coming in June 7-10 2009 in Orlando, FL, USA. You may be able to leverage that convergence of people in your search somehow. On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 11:47 AM, Bernard Aschwanden (Publishing Smarter) < bernard at publishingsmarter.com> wrote: > Hi to all: > > I've been asked by a business partner to find a person who knows the PTC > Epic side of things inside and out. Someone who can do API development work > and is available to work on an interesting project to connect a CMS into > Epic. > > If you know of anyone who can do this, please let me know offlist. Email > directly to me and I'll follow up as soon as possible. > > Thanks to all, > > Bernard > > Bernard Aschwanden > President > Publishing Smarter > > www.publishingsmarter.com > -- Paul Nagai
Re: MIF to SGML/XML
Oy. This time I'll cc the correct list! (Sorry dual techwr-l, framers subscribers!) On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 9:30 AM, Paul Nagai [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: meant to cc the list, too ... On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 9:29 AM, Paul Nagai [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 6:37 AM, Butler, Darren J CTR USAF AFMC 584 CBSS/GBHAC [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello fellow FrameManiacs, Does anyone know of an application that converts MIF to XML and/or SGML, besides the Maximus application made by Xorba inc? I hear that the company is defunct, so I have to find and alternative. We have an older copy of Maximus that is quite buggy. If we could find a copy of the latest source code, we could fix the bugs and use Max until we find something else. Thanks, Darren I have a really hard time imagining that this would interest you (aimed at a different market based on wild assumptions I'm making about your assumed Maximus source code availability), but PTC (who acquired Arbortext, the brand) has an import/export product that supports, among many other things, the conversion from FrameMaker (MIF) to XML. Here they have it attached to a server product (Publishing Engine), but I know it is also executable on an enabled client from a GUI or the command line. http://ptc.com/products/arbortext/publishing-engine/product-capabilities.htm If you're converting thousands of pages, probably not going to be interesting unless you are already an Arbortext shop. Get deep into the hundreds of thousands ... maybe. Into the millions? Then the software (and potential service costs) start to fade out as inhibitors depending on your requirements. -- Paul Nagai -- Paul Nagai -- Paul Nagai ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
MIF to SGML/XML
Oy. This time I'll cc the correct list! (Sorry dual techwr-l, framers subscribers!) On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 9:30 AM, Paul Nagai wrote: > meant to cc the list, too ... > > > On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 9:29 AM, Paul Nagai wrote: > >> On Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 6:37 AM, Butler, Darren J CTR USAF AFMC 584 >> CBSS/GBHAC wrote: >> >>> Hello fellow FrameManiacs, >>> Does anyone know of an application that converts MIF to XML and/or >>> SGML, besides the Maximus application made by Xorba inc? I hear that >>> the company is defunct, so I have to find and alternative. >>> We have an older copy of Maximus that is quite buggy. If we could find a >>> copy of the latest source code, we could fix the bugs and use Max until >>> we find something else. >>> Thanks, >>> Darren >>> >> >> I have a really hard time imagining that this would interest you (aimed at >> a different market based on wild assumptions I'm making about your assumed >> Maximus source code availability), but PTC (who acquired Arbortext, the >> "brand") has an import/export product that supports, among many other >> things, the conversion from FrameMaker (MIF) to XML. Here they have it >> attached to a server product (Publishing Engine), but I know it is also >> executable on an enabled client from a GUI or the command line. >> >> >> http://ptc.com/products/arbortext/publishing-engine/product-capabilities.htm >> >> If you're converting thousands of pages, probably not going to be >> interesting unless you are already an Arbortext shop. Get deep into the >> hundreds of thousands ... maybe. Into the millions? Then the software (and >> potential service costs) start to fade out as inhibitors depending on your >> requirements. >> >> -- >> Paul Nagai >> > > > > -- > Paul Nagai > > -- Paul Nagai
Re: Text Editor recommendation
Textad is a popular and powerful text editor. Watch out if you need true Unicode support, though. Doesn't quite get there. On Feb 12, 2008 10:28 AM, Grant Hogarth [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Notepad ++ here http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm Free, expandable, and rock-solid. Grant -Original Message- Linda G. Gallagher [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Any recommendation on a text editor? I don't think I have anything other than Notepad installed currently, as I don't use text editors a lot. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/naglists%40gmail.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. -- Paul Nagai ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Text Editor recommendation
Textad is a popular and powerful text editor. Watch out if you need true Unicode support, though. Doesn't quite get there. On Feb 12, 2008 10:28 AM, Grant Hogarth wrote: > Notepad ++ here > http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm > > Free, expandable, and rock-solid. > > Grant > > -Original Message- > "Linda G. Gallagher" wrote: > > Any recommendation on a text editor? I don't think I have anything other > than Notepad installed currently, as I don't use text editors a lot. > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as naglists 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/naglists%40gmail.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > -- Paul Nagai
Re: Reasons to Structure
Matt's question is, to some degree, academic and as a result list members have made many valid points, some totally at odds with others. (Isn't that the point of academia? :) In practice, the questions are: What will structure do for *my* problems and what will it cost to implement? I said the following recently in response to a similar question about XML over on techwr-l: For a long time my XML philosophy was, If you need XML, you're already there. I've come off that belief as tools, best practices, and the like developed and evolved. That said, my current XML philosophy is Don't deploy XML unless you have a clear set of goals and objectives and have a good understanding of the costs (effort, software, hardware, etc.) required to achieve those goals. In other words, XML for the sake of XML is a time and money pit. (My old philosophy was so much more catchy! ;( Find/replace XML with structure and you have my opinion on structure (less the catchy phrases). You better know why you're structuring your content and have a deep understanding of the obvious and hidden costs. Then it's just math ... is there ROI? -- Paul Nagai ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
Reasons to Structure
Matt's question is, to some degree, academic and as a result list members have made many valid points, some totally at odds with others. (Isn't that the point of academia? :) In practice, the questions are: What will structure do for *my* problems and what will it cost to implement? I said the following recently in response to a similar question about XML over on techwr-l: For a long time my XML philosophy was, "If you need XML, you're already there." I've come off that belief as tools, best practices, and the like developed and evolved. That said, my current XML philosophy is "Don't deploy XML unless you have a clear set of goals and objectives and have a good understanding of the costs (effort, software, hardware, etc.) required to achieve those goals." In other words, XML for the sake of XML is a time and money pit. (My old philosophy was so much more catchy! ;( Find/replace XML with structure and you have my opinion on structure (less the catchy phrases). You better know why you're structuring your content and have a deep understanding of the obvious and hidden costs. Then it's just math ... is there ROI? -- Paul Nagai
Re: Real Life Migration to Structured Doc
If you search google groups for the following: Comparison of XML tools for writing documents You will find a techwr-l conversation from about a year ago that might be helpful. ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
"Real Life" Migration to Structured Doc
If you search google groups for the following: Comparison of XML tools for writing documents You will find a techwr-l conversation from about a year ago that might be helpful.
