RE: FrameMaker automatic database publishing

["Spreadbury, David" <david -dot- spreadbury -at- tellabs -dot- com>]

Rose,

You don't mention the version of Frame you are using, so this white paper, http://www.adobe.com/products/framemaker/pdfs/database_fm7.pdf, might or might not help.

-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-195991 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:bounce-techwr-l-195991 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Wilcox, Rose
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 11:30 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: FrameMaker automatic database publishing



Hello,

I am in a shop where I have inherited a set of unstructured FrameMaker 7.1 documents including a lot of tables and graphics.  The software we are documenting has become very customizable with any amount of system variables such as system name, field names, etc. 

What my boss wants to do first is to have a manual with generic screen picture(s) at the beginning of the chapter, followed by instructions with conditional text so that the field names will match what each customer is saying.  So far, so good.  

He wants us to be able to read in the values for the conditional text from a database or CSV file or some type of file.  Ideally he would like to run this as a job.  Is there anyway to automatically feed in the values for the conditional variables into unstructured Frame?  

So far, I put this query in on the Framer list and got the suggestion to read through the MIF manual.  I have found that I need to have the doc in MIF form and read in ASCII variables.  I have had Buildfire from Convivo suggested and am going to look into it.  

Since I didn't get much response on the framer list, I thought I'd try techwr-l.  I also have ordered the book *Advanced FrameMaker* by Kay Ethier because it appears to have several examples of ways and means to do database publishing.  But I am sure my boss would be happy to have a solution earlier than that.

We are looking for big bang for the buck in terms of customized manuals -- to be able convert the manuals quickly to usable versions for the customer, who can customize almost everything about the system -- menus items, field labels, and which features they use.  


P.S.  What happens to my index tags with this level of customization?  Can I use variables in my index tags?

Thanks in advance!
______________________
Rose A. Wilcox
Senior Technical Writer
480-586-2645
480-580-0530 (cell)
Rwilcox -at- ssqi -dot- com
Writing is the hardest work in the world not involving heavy lifting. - Pete Hamill 
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