RE: To SGML or not to SGML

[Ron Nelson <rnelson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

For all who have asked, I'll be happy to post a summary of responses.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Nelson 
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 10:51 AM
To: 'Framers@FrameUsers.com'; 'Framers@omsys.com'
Subject: To SGML or not to SGML


Hello everybody,

The company I work for is going through a growth spurt and we're trying to
figure out our best and brightest options.  One of the decisions that needs
to be made is whether to continue with the base FrameMaker and upgrade to FM
6 or if it would make sense to migrate to FM6+SGML - so here are my
questions: 

1)  We currently have several - as many as 40 tech writers, some contract
some permanent.  I'm in charge of DTP which is the last to touch the books
for a final clean-up before going to print, et al.  Would we need to upgrade
everyone to +SGML, or can the writers continue to write in the basic FM and
I would apply the SGML DTD to the books at the end of the process?

2)  I know the learning curve is steep for SGML, and the process of setting
up a good DTD is long - can anyone give me an idea of what I'd really be
getting myself into?  We produce training manuals that range from 100 to
1000 pages.

3)  The reason for looking at FM+SGML is to radically improve our
single-sourcing capabilities.  We will produce both print and on-line
materials, as well as translating into several languages, and want to use a
document management system that would allow greater reuse of material at a
section or paragraph level.  Will the addition of SGML really help this
effort or are we just as well off sticking with basic FM and investing in
something like Canterbury?

4)  I've followed the discussions regarding implementation of Unicode and
native importing of XML - assuming that we will see these in the *near*
future, can I safely assume that it would be well worth the time, effort and
cost to implement FM+SGML?  Can anyone provide me with more specifics on
why?

Thanks in advance,

Ron Nelson

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