Frame's File Comparison Feature

[Alison Craig]

Thanks Jim.

I'm on the SDL mailing list but I haven't looked into this module - so much to do, so little time ;-))). 

Have you actually used the module? Do you know of any issues, bugs, etc?

BTW, when I was working in Word, I did content management "manually" across 3 product lines (2 manuals per product). Making a conscious effort did make a huge difference, but it's not fool proof by any means.

Alison
 
Alison Craig, Technical Writer
Ultrasonix Medical Corporation
Tel: (604) 279-8550, ext 127
E-mail: alison.craig at ultrasonix.com
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Pinkham, Jim [mailto:Jim.Pinkham at voith.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 1:52 PM
To: Alison Craig; Combs, Richard; FrameMaker Forum
Subject: RE: Frame's File Comparison Feature

On an only slightly tangential note, Alison, your having FM 9 also
enables you to use the free SDL Author Assistant plug-in:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4357. 

As Adobe describes it, "The SDL Author Assistant for Adobe(r)
FrameMaker(r) 9 plug-in enables enterprise-wide consistency in grammar,
style, and terminology and reusability of content. It checks written
text for writing style issues that impact the content's readability and
translatability." 

That consistency can also help contain translation costs.

Jim

 

-----Original Message-----
From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Alison Craig
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 3:22 PM
To: Combs, Richard; 'FrameMaker Forum'
Subject: RE: Frame's File Comparison Feature

Richard:

Someone else who replied off-list made the same observation - and we do
have a TM for each language. I can also get a copy simply by asking.

I was hoping for an additional (easy and reliable) method to speed up
the process and cut down on costs.

Looks like I'm out of luck on this one.

Alison

 
Alison Craig, Technical Writer
Ultrasonix Medical Corporation
Tel: (604) 279-8550, ext 127
E-mail: alison.craig at ultrasonix.com
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Combs, Richard [mailto:richard.combs at Polycom.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 12:17 PM
To: Alison Craig; 'FrameMaker Forum'
Subject: RE: Frame's File Comparison Feature

Alison Craig wrote: 
> Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 11:49 AM
 
> In various List threads, I've read about using Frame's file comparison

> ability to determine changes from one release to the next. As a Frame 
> newbie, I wondered if anyone could give me more information about this

> feature? Can it be used to mitigate the amount of translation sent to 
> the Language Service Provider (LSP) and if it can, how do I do this?
> 
> FYI: My current procedure is to send the LSP all the relevant native 
> Frame (and Visio) files. I let them handle the MIF conversion (as I 
> don't pay a project management fee, I let them work for their money. 
> Besides, I have never worked with MIF files - but there is a first
time for everything).
> 
> Budget is always an issue, so if I need to buy any other tools to make

> this feasible, I would have to present an ROI case (even for something

> that only cost $100). But if there is a way to send a smaller amount 
> of text and then put the files back together without a hassle once 
> they were completed, I know I could swing the purchase of new tools.

What you're considering is (or should be) neither necessary nor
desirable. Your translation vendor should be using a translation memory
(and you should request a copy of it, since you've paid for it, so that
you're not locked into this vendor because it's holding your translation
memory hostage). 

When you send an updated set of files for a book that's already been
translated once, the unchanged paragraphs will match the translation
memory. Only the portions that are new or changed need to be translated.


If your vendor isn't using translation memory, find a new one. If it is
using translation memory, there's no point in you trying to dissect
files and reassemble them -- you'd gain nothing and risk all kinds of
problems. 


Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-903-6372
------





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