The document compares DITA support in FrameMaker and XMetaL. FrameMaker is better for print/PDF output and has WYSIWYG authoring, while XMetaL is better for DITA authoring and output-neutral formatting. Neither tool is a clear winner, and the best choice depends on priorities like print needs, author control level, and specialization requirements. The presenter provides an overview of key features in each tool for authoring, output generation, cross-references, and more.

1. Comparing DITA support in XMetaL and FrameMaker Simon Bate Scriptorium Publishing www.scriptorium.com

2. Agenda Authoring Conditional processing Generating output Cross-references and conrefs Map files Specialization Consider your needs

3. About the presenter Based in Research Triangle, North Carolina Senior Technical Consultant at Scriptorium 30+ years experience in Technical Publications Long-time FrameMaker user Instructor for Scriptorium classes: XMetaL DITA XSL in Publications

4. A note about Scriptorium Affiliated with Adobe as Adobe Authorized Training Center Affiliated with JustSystems as a Certified Services Partner Nonetheless, I think you'll find this presentation quite candid about each tool's strengths and weaknesses.

5. Questions Please ask questions. I may defer some questions to the end of the presentation.

6. FrameMaker highlights High-quality print/PDF output Formatting control is built in Ability to "tweak" formatting, such as page breaks WYSIWYG for print/PDF

7. XMetaL highlights Ability to edit XML directly Integration with DITA Open Toolkit Not WYSIWYG for print Specialization support DITA 1.1 support

9. XMetaL Authoring highlights Code ("plain text") view Structure view (block only)‏ Format-neutral WYSIOO presentation No invalid content allowed Elements grouped by type (Insert menu)‏

11. FrameMaker authoring highlights WYSIWYG for print/PDF Structure view is complete Document window/structure view combination Invalid content allowed

12. Conditional processing in FrameMaker Traditional FrameMaker conditions In 8.0, allows expressions FM information is saved in XML output But the information is not DITA Use attributes Special > Filter by attributes

13. ditaval files FrameMaker: only when using DITA Open Toolkit XMetaL: hidden by conditional GUI Use Export to create ditaval file

14. Generating output in XMetaL Open Toolkit RenderX for PDF via Open Toolkit HTML-based help

15. Generating output in FrameMaker PDF Open Toolkit (install plug-in)‏ FrameMaker book from DITA map HTML-based help

16. Cross-references in FrameMaker FrameMaker <fm-xref> element Only reference a selected set of elements Creates active links in PDF files DITA <xref> elements Can reference any element in any topic Can contain alternate text (not just the title)‏ Does not create active links in PDF files

17. Cross-references in XMetaL Insert > Link Cross-reference File reference Web link Can change text in <xref> element Converted correctly in Open Toolkit

18. conrefs in XMetaL

19. conrefs in FrameMaker

20. Map files in FrameMaker

21. Map files in XMetaL

22. Specialization XMetaL Many hooks for specialization FrameMaker Nothing built-in Could modify EDD

23. Which has better DITA support? For print/PDF output: FrameMaker For DITA authoring: XMetaL For print WYSIWYG: FrameMaker For output-neutral formatting: XMetaL No clear winner.

24. How important is print publishing? It's much easier to produce high-end print/PDF from FrameMaker. Print/PDF publishing through Open Toolkit is not satisfactory. WYSIWYG presentation in FrameMaker is a plus for print-centric workflows. WYSIOO presentation in XMetaL is a plus for authoring without focusing on print.

25. How much control should authors have? Because FrameMaker combines authoring and publishing, authors have more control Can create and publish with invalid content XMetaL enables DITA authoring; separates out publishing Does not allow invalid content in normal authoring. Think workflow and sharing topics

26. Do you need cross-browser, cross-platform help? HTMLHelp (CHM)‏ Not cross-platform XMetaL and FrameMaker (3 rd -party or OT)‏ XHTML-based Help FrameMaker and 3 rd -party converters Eclipse Help XMetaL and FrameMaker (via OT)‏ Requires Eclipse infrastructure

27. Transition issues Current unstructured FrameMaker users will find structured FrameMaker easier than XMetaL (mostly). Developer types may prefer XMetaL. FrameMaker includes conversion utility. (Of course, you could convert in FrameMaker and then use the converted content in another XML tool.)‏

28. Do you need to specialize? You will have to implement FrameMaker support yourself. XMetaL supports use of specialized DTDs.

29. Graphics Many more formats supported in FrameMaker. In XMetaL, PDF output with EPS images requires Acrobat Distiller. Callouts a problem in either: Layers in graphic file? FrameMaker callouts are flattened on export to XML.

30. Attributes Attributes Inspector (XMetaL) is easier to use than Attributes Editor (FrameMaker). But...attributes show up in FrameMaker structure view and not in XMetaL structure view.

31. Summary Your priorities will dictate which tool is a better fit for your organization. Each application has significant strengths and weaknesses. Authoring paradigms are significantly different.

32. Resources DITA @ OASIS http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/ tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=dita White papers Available on CD at our booth www.scriptorium.com/papers.html Please leave a business card or your email address if you want the handouts.

33. Contact information Simon Bate Scriptorium Publishing Services www.scriptorium.com [email_address] 919 481-2701 x106

34. Questions