Framemaker vs XMetal for structured authoring

[Joe Campo]

Hi Verner
We are migrating to XMetal DITA from RoboHelp and Frame/webworks. We
like that XMetal is in one package and we don't have to worry about
maintaining multiple applications to output our deliverables (chm,
single html, and pdf). Granted the PDF output has been difficult to
achieve, but we have a Tools person who has been able to customize
output to meet our needs.

Translation was another driver in adopting XMetal. We localize into many
languages and the ease of working with pure XML files makes life much
easier for Translators, who could not process .fm files directly.

As the others have written, analyze and base your choice on your needs.
Mind that converting legacy to XML DITA, no matter what your tool, will
have a huge impact on translation memory. If you do translation, make
sure to involve that team for input.

Good luck.
Joe Campo
DS SolidWorks
Concord, MA USA

Today's Topics:

   1. Framemaker vs XMetal for structured authoring
      (Andersen, Verner Engell VEA)
   2. Re: Framemaker vs XMetal for structured authoring (Yves Barbion)
   3. Re: Framemaker vs XMetal for structured authoring (Writer)


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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:04:20 +0200
From: "Andersen, Verner Engell VEA" <verner.andersen at radiometer.dk>
Subject: Framemaker vs XMetal for structured authoring
To: <framers at lists.frameusers.com>,	"FrameMaker discussion list
	(omsys) (FrameMaker discussion list	(omsys))"
<framers at omsys.com>
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Hi
I currently use unstructured Framemaker for pdf output. I single-source
my content - and via Webworks Publisher I output to context-sensitive
help in Webworks help format.
 
My 5 colleagues use Word and output to pdf for printing. We plan to go
structured and are considering whether we should use Framemaker or
XMetal.
 
Do any of you know where I can find an unbiased comparison of the two
tools?
 
I have been told that the major disadvantage of using Framemaker is that
you are required to save in binary format to keep the
Framemaker-specific XML processing instructions (pls). If you store in
xml-format you cannot retrieve and maintain conditional text. Callouts
on drawings (the graphics tool in Framemaker) will be rasterized, and
even paragraph styles can be discarded if you save a document as XML.
 
What are the implications of sacrificing saving documents as XML? 
 
Another advantage in favor of XMetal should be that it has
vendor-supported integration with most content management systems (CMS).
Apparently XMetal seems to be the best choice. 
 
What are your comments?
 
Thanks,
 
Verner