Re: Right tool for the right job ...?

[Dan Emory <danemory@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 10:22 PM 4/29/02 +0200, Thomas Michanek wrote:

>Database publishing is a good idea if your contents is, guess what,
>stored in a database :-)

=======================================
It (the contents of the book) doesn't necessarily have to reside in a 
database in order to utilize a database publishing solution with UniMerge 
and FrameMaker. Instead, what resides in the database is product 
configuration data records for each customer, or each possible variation in 
the product configuration. I've had success, for instance, in using 
UniMerge to produce customized employee handbooks for each employee, 
utilizing Human Resources data on each employee (e.g., benefit data, 
employee type, employee location, etc.).

To apply this approach to produce a user manual for a particular product 
configuration, a single database record defining that configuration would 
generate the entire book.

The approach involves creating a FrameMaker template containing all of the 
invariant text interspersed with UniMerge conditional processing 
(IF-THEN-ELSE constructs which can be nested) which select, based on the 
configuration record, which configuration-dependent information is to be 
used, and where it is to be inserted. These "fragments" of configuration 
information are placed in a separate FrameMaker file, where each such 
fragment has an unique "fragment name." Each such named fragment is similar 
in some respects to a FrameMaker text inset.

It's even possible to specify different graphics for different 
configurations (again using IF-THE-ELSE constructs) which are imported by 
reference at merge time.

At merge time, UniMerge creates a new MIF file from the FrameMaker template 
which incorporates all of the invariant text, and evaluates each 
IF-THE-ELSE construct against the data record to determine which, if any, 
named fragment or graphic is to be incorporated. In effect, what UniMerge 
does is conditionally assemble a set of text insets and graphics in, above, 
and below the invariant text.

Both the invariant text and the fragments can also contain what amounts to 
variables, which UniMerge replaces at merge time with the applicable text 
values derived (directly or indirectly) from the product configuration record.

As we all know, the use of conditional text tends to fall apart when there 
are complex combinational relationships. UniMerge can handle these complex 
relationships with ease by virtue of much more powerful IF-THEN-ELSE 
constructs.

UniMerge is also unique, I believe, in its capability to pluck the 
applicable data- record-derived fragments from a separate FrameMaker 
fragment file.

UniMerge, for those who might be interested, runs on Windows and (some) 
Unix platforms, and costs about $600. UniMerge executes from the DOS or 
UNIX command line. Since it requires no GUI, it is blindingly fast.


====================
| Nullius in Verba |
====================
Dan Emory, Dan Emory & Associates
FrameMaker/FrameMaker+SGML Document Design & Database Publishing
Voice/Fax: 949-722-8971 E-Mail: danemory@primenet.com
177 Riverside Ave., STE F, #1151, Newport Beach, CA 92663
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