The argument as to whether FM is a native XML editor has been running for years.
It's true that FrameMaker supports XML/SGML in a different way to other tools but at the end of the day what does it do? It allows users to open an XML/SGML instance, edit it, validate it within the editor, and then save it directly back out as XML/SGML ... fully valid against the DTD or Schema. On this basis I consider FrameMaker to be a native XML and SGML editor that competes at the same level as all other XML authoring tools. To make any XML authoring tool viable for users to work with, they all need some degree of customisation. All need stylesheets ... Epic uses FOSI, XMetaL uses CSS, FrameMaker uses EDDs. All need some way to map elements to object types (e.g. graphics, tables, cross references etc.). The work required to implement a solution in FrameMaker is comparable to other author tools. In fact, I find working with an EDD much easier, quicker and more logical than other products. The fact that FrameMaker is itself a high quality pagination tools means that users do not need to employ or invest in external processes to create their printed material. If different templates are required it is very easy for a FrameMaker user (without EDD training in many cases) to create them. FM will not allow you to simply open up an XML instance and start editing. Many other authoring tools also need some level of doctype configuration to do this. I would never recommend this for any of my client though. If this is what you need then a dedicated XML authoring tool is perhaps the wrong tool. Using Oxygen, XMLSpy, Stylus Studio would be more suitable ... I do not consider these to be authoring tools though. One of the most important factors is what the authoring experience is like. Whilst there are many authors who will be happy working with XML tags there are just as many, if not more, who will not be. FrameMaker provides a very intuitive user interface that makes the creation of structured documents very easy. I have yet to find another authoring tool with a structure view as powerful as FrameMaker's. Another factor is whether you are an existing FrameMaker user who wants to move to authoring XML content. With FrameMaker being able to support structure out of the box, the argument to move away from using it must be justified. This is a much harder proposition as the total investment will be higher (e.g. software licenses (authoring tool, pagination engine), user training, customisation etc.). Adobe's continued commitment to FrameMaker and improved XML support will ensure that it will remain one of the best tools for authoring XML content. Regards Mark Poston -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Pedro Pastor Sent: 17 January 2007 18:46 To: framers@FrameUsers.com Subject: RE: XML and FrameMaker Hi Scott, Thanks for the info, but DocBook is not the problem here. I have some good command of the XML DocBook DTD (from version 3). I have also developed simplified version for DocBook for organization specific needs (just to realize myself that there is nothing better than using the original). To my understanding, the key point in this discussion is that FrameMaker is not a "native" SGML/XML tool. It has its own way of dealing with structured documents. In some way, it has reinvented the wheel (being SGML much older than FM, and with many SGML processing tools available out there). I could be wrong, but I could find at least some other people that are thinking (more o less) the same way: http://www.getnet.net/~swhitlat/DocBook/Frame_Project_Readme.php >From /SGML users point of view, it would've been easier to have FM work internally with DTD's. The second part of the round trip, presentations design and structure mapping, seems very powerful in FM. Finally, as very simple example of what I'm saying: Could I just specify a DTD to FM without any Template, EDD, MML or other associate file and just begin typing a new valid and "plain" structured text, even if the "look&feel" is very basic (even if it is tag based)? Regards, Pedro -----Mensaje original----- De: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] En nombre de [EMAIL PROTECTED] Enviado el: miércoles, 17 de enero de 2007 18:09 Para: Pedro Pastor; framers@FrameUsers.com Asunto: Re: XML and FrameMaker I recommend that you check the original, and downloadable DTDs for Docbook. http://www.docbook.org/ They also have a Simplified Docbook which might help you also. There are at least two books that I'm aware of that give an explanation of the Docbook DTD. Go to the above site and check them out. Scott _______________________________________________ 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/pps%40dlsi.ua.es Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/mark.poston%40mekon.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
