re-use 101

[Kristy Nolan]

Hi, Joel!

Are you using structured or unstructured Frame? Have you considered
using text insets? I found this useful when I had a similar scenario a
few years ago on unstructured Frame. If you are on structured, check out
InsetPlus at West Street Consulting. We have found this to be very
useful for our docs.

Kristy

-----Original Message-----
From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Joel
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 7:36 AM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: re-use 101

I am using Frame 8. I have a set of seven manuals that are close to 100
pages each. Many sections of these manuals are identical, some sections
differ in detail in minor ways, and fewer sections differ in more
substantial ways. Currently they are all Frame books with each chapter
being its own file within the book. There is no re-use of anything at
the moment.

This is becoming increasingly burdensome to maintain, as a change to
something that appears in all seven manuals requires me to make that
change manually in all seven files. I would like to get to re-use, or
single-sourcing, but I'm puzzled as to how to get there. Would the best
strategy be:

(a) To use conditional text and generate several versions;

(b) To try and convert everything to XML and sew things together based
on individual XML files;

(c) Something else?
I have zero XML knowledge, and whenever I read about it, my head hurts.
I am willing to learn, but the benefit needs to be commensurate with the
pain involved in learning. I'm looking for the simplest solution that
allows for some common source material using my existing Frame
configuration. Ideas are appreciated.
Joel
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