FrameMaker vs DocBook

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3 total messages Started by ericheise Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:37

#1238

Author: ericheise
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:37

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Hey all -

I need some expert opinions on FrameMaker vs DocBook. I use Frame 8 for most everything. Some departments in my org need my help with some documentation tasks, however, they want to DocBook, and apparently there is some tool out there to convert Frame files to DocBook.

I've never heard of DocBook, certainly never used it. Can anyone give me the ten cent tour of DocBook, and how it compares with using Frame. Googling "docbook" doesn't provide a lot of answers. Opinions are more than welcome!

Thanks!
Eric

Re: FrameMaker vs DocBook

#1240

Author: Ian_Proudfoot
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:53

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Hi Eric,

DocBook isn't actually an alternative to FrameMaker, its a complex and powerful application of SGML or XML. FrameMaker includes DocBook support, so you don't need to change to another tool set.

If you are not currently using structured FrameMaker you will have quite a steep learning curve ahead of you, but don't worry you should find plenty of assistance on this forum.

Regards

Ian

Re: FrameMaker vs DocBook

#1241

Author: Art Campbell
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:37

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I wasn't aware that DocBook was actually still around... it came out in the early 90s, I think, as an SGML language. A quick Google seems to verify that it's morphed into an XML language.

As Ian points out, there isn't any reason you can't use Frame to output to it, because it's can be seen as a delivery format, as a PDF is. But before I embraced it, I think I'd counter with an argument that DITA may be a more flexible and adaptable way to go.

If I remember correctly, IBM was one of the early proponents of DocBook, but they jumped ship to DITA, viewing it as a better second or third generation tool.

Art

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