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> Frankly, I believe that the method by which Frame
> combines the type definition with print rules (the
> "EDD" in Frame-speak) is at one time a strength
> (limits writers' ability to mess up the design *too*
> much, and makes dealing with structured writing
> easier to learn) and a weakness (too difficult to
> use arbitrary type definitions when a variety are
> needed in an organization).
I know your belief is wrong. ;) Use it, then critique
it. Just because it's structured does not mean it's
rigid.
> As Andrew points out, software is but a tool; we
> become too often attached to some long after they
> reach albatross status. In some ways, Frame is like
> that (although at the moment, I believe it is still
> often the best available tool for documentation
> use!).
Hey, I use the tool line all the time! And yeah, FM is
feeling its age, and I think you're right.
> Whether the long document prowess can transfer to
> the InDesign code base has yet to be seen, I
> believe. Given the tremendous transformation from
> versions 1.5 to 2.0 in the product, I am hesitatant
> to think it will not be feasible.
Anything's feasible. I just don't see the other side
of the market (ID's current target client base) really
wanting long, structured authoring capability.
> However, unless another product appears in the
> interim, I don't believe that Adobe will lose more
> clients from Frame *than they already are losing*
> (mostly to more XML-centered tools like Arbortext
> Epic, I believe). The largest difficulty will be in
> luring existing Frame customers to switch to
> InDesign.
Arbortext is an interesting beast, isn't it? I just
don't see as strong an ROI as they advertise. It's
very cool though, but frankly, it's no more or less
powerful than FM, just different.
> Without any pipelines into Adobe myself at the
> moment, I believe what is happening is that Frame
> being offshored is to serve several functions: to
> reduce costs in keeping the product updated while
> allowing their existing programmers inhouse to work
> on, among other things, the InDesign development.
> Since the existing folks understand the long
> document needs, this infusion of talent into the
> InDesign team (if, in fact, I am right--remember
> this is pure speculation on my part!) may hasten the
> transition.
Yes, had Adobe not laid off about 98% of the FM
developers, that'd be an excellent plan. ;)
> From what I have seen so far, if this is a correct
> speculation, the resulting product if successful
> could replace the need for most add-on products such
> as WWP or Mustang with little effort. Now *that*
> would be a value proposition that would be hard to
> beat in the marketplace, well beyond their present
> product selection.
Have you seen DocFrame? Or have you experimented with
XML output from FM? Really, there's no need for a 3rd
party tool for FM anymore, except that for most people
it makes their work life easier.
> Let us hope that Adobe is thinking along these
> lines--for Frame may continue to evolve while the
> efforts regarding InDesign are ongoing.
Possibly. Maybe not. I've no vested interest in any
tool looking longer out than 1 year (maybe 2). I just
use the ones that aid my work the best and move along
as needed.
=====
Goober Writer
(because life is too short to be inept)
"As soon as you hear the phrase "studies show",
immediately put a hand on your wallet and cover your groin."
-- Geoff Hart
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