Illuminations

Volume 7, Issue 1
February/March 2004

In this issue:

Spring Training: XML and FrameMaker 7

FrameMaker 7.1: Improved Conditional Text Handling

DocFrame 2.0 with JavaHelp Transformation Coming Soon

Transition to Structure: A Twelve-Step Process

Glitz, Glamour, and Tech Writers (?!) in Hollywood

Spring Training: XML and FrameMaker 7

You don't have to be a baseball player to benefit from spring training. Our upcoming classes will help you develop XML and structured FrameMaker skills.

Are you considering a move to a structured workflow? On March 1 and 2, we're offering XML and Structured Authoring. In this software-independent class, you'll learn the basics of XML, DTDs, and XML-based workflows. You'll learn about valid and well-formed XML, and explore how you might best use XML in your environment. Don't miss this chance to think through all the issues before you make the leap into structured authoring! We strongly recommend this class for anyone who is considering XML or structured FrameMaker. Even if your 2004 budget doesn't include a transition to structure, this class will help you develop a plan for the future.

Ready to jump into structured FrameMaker? In April, we offer our classes for the structured interface of FrameMaker 7.0 and 7.1:

• Introduction to Authoring (April 20)—a beginner-level course that shows you how to use the structured interface and author content in FrameMaker.
• Building EDDs (April 21–22)—an advanced course that explains how to build an element definition document (EDD).
  
• Structured Applications (April 23)—an advanced course that walks you through setting up a structured application to create XML output from structured FrameMaker files. This class also explains the new conditional text handling in XML files generated from FrameMaker 7.1 (more on that in the next story, FrameMaker 7.1: Improved Conditional Text Handling ).

If you're interested in other class dates or want courses on technical writing and unstructured FrameMaker 7, take a look at the schedule for the entire year. Early and multiple registrations earn you discounts. You can register for classes through our shopping cart.

Scriptorium Publishing is an Adobe Authorized Training Center (formerly Adobe Certified Training Provider). Our instructors are Adobe Certified Experts (ACEs) and have additional teaching credentials, such as Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+).

FrameMaker 7.1: Improved Conditional Text Handling

Adobe just released version 7.1 of FrameMaker, and it has some great new features, including the preservation of conditional text in structured files saved as XML output.

FrameMaker 7.0 doesn't support conditional tagging in structured files saved to XML. Shown conditional content is exported to XML, but the output contains no indication the text was conditional in the FrameMaker file. Hidden conditional content is dropped altogether from XML output.

Version 7.1 has changed all of that. Now, when you save a file as XML, the output defines each condition and its indicators, where the conditions are applied, and whether conditions are shown or hidden.

To show you how the conditional text handling works in version 7.1, we wrote some new exercises for our Structured Applications Workbook. Download condition.zip (120K), which contains the following files:

• condition.pdf—new appendix containing exercises about conditional text
• icing.fm—file used in the exercises

To complete the exercises, you need the structured application files that are on the workbook's installation CD. Even if you don't own the workbook (or FrameMaker 7.1), you can still download the files and read condition.pdf to see how conditional text works in version 7.1. The exercises in that file contain code samples and figures that illustrate the new capabilities.

For more information about FrameMaker 7.1, read the FAQ (PDF format) posted by Adobe.

DocFrame 2.0 with JavaHelp Transformation Coming Soon

We plan to release version 2.0 of our DocFrame solution in April. The updated version will be compatible with both FrameMaker 7.0 and 7.1, and it will include XSL transformations for JavaHelp and updated documentation. The transformations for HTML and HTML Help will also have a few improvements.

Buy a DocFrame Developer license for version 1.1 now to take advantage of the special $995 introductory pricing, and you'll receive the upgrade to 2.0 for free. The introductory price will expire the day version 2.0 is released—the new price will be $1495, so act soon to save $500! Also, those who purchased an earlier version of DocFrame within 12 months of the new release date will be eligible for free upgrades; we will ship those out the week of the release.

For more information about pricing and licensing, see the DocFrame page, or contact sales@scriptorium.com.

Transition to Structure: A 12-Step Process

Glitz, Glamour, and Tech Writers (?!) in Hollywood

Sarah O'Keefe is offering two sessions at the upcoming Writers UA (formerly WinWriters) annual conference in Hollywood, CA:

• Structured Authoring 101 (Monday, March 29)
• Single Sourcing with FrameMaker, XML, and XSL: A Case Study (Tuesday, March 30)

Matt Arnold will also be attending—look for him at our booth in the conference hall, where we'll be offering demos of DocFrame and passing out chocolates. We hope to see you (and a few celebrities) in Hollywood!

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