🚀 go-pugleaf

In looking over the various concepts involved in page layout, I have been
considering the "frame" concept.  I'm wondering what exactly this term
means in existing text editor and DTP implementations.

For one example, I have seen the MEPS (Multilanguage Electronic
Phototypesetting System) composition software created and used by the
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses).  It allows the
operator to specify rectangular areas on the page.  These areas are
numbered "1.1", "1.2", "1.3", etc.  If "1.3" appears on a given layout, and
the next layout in the same layout file has a frame numbered "1.4", then
the text pours into the next layout page, until the text is exhausted or
there are no more frames with the given major number.

And, of course, files of plain text are assigned to the major numbers:
File #1 ("foo.txt") gets poured into boxes "1.1", "1.2", etc.

Is the MEPS frame concept similar to those of other packages now in use?
As far as I know, MEPS is not used for composing more than 32 pages of
output at a time, since that is the size of _The Watchtower_ and _Awake!_;
is this style of layout control useful for longer publications as well?

Have frames been used to provide block indentation?  It would seem easy
enough to define a frame and then put nothing in it, thus achieving a block
indent without an explicit "block indent" command.

Responders, please Email -- or post if the answer is of general interest.
--
Chip Salzenberg                 "chip@ateng.UU.NET" or "codas!ateng!chip"
A T Engineering                 My employer's opinions are a trade secret.
       "Anything that works is better than anything that doesn't."

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