Description: Adobe FrameMaker enterprise software provides powerhouse publishing for corporate and technical publishing of complex documents for Web, print, and other distribution methods.
Publisher: Adobe, Inc.
Overview: For desktop publishing that requires that documents be available in print as well as in various formats such as PDF, HTML, or XML, FrameMaker delivers. It is strong on features for the layout and management of long, highly structured documents. With version 7 there are no longer separate plain and SGML versions, the features of each are combined. For less structured, non-templated documents, the interface and tools are less than intuitive but adequate if needs are basic.
Best Use: FrameMaker will appeal most strongly to enterprises, including some small businesses, producing manuals, eBooks, technical documentation, and personalized content who want and need the power of XML and multi-purposing of materials.
History: Originally created as a WYSIWYG editor for Sun/UNIX workstations circa 1986, it was ported to the Macintosh platform in the early days of desktop publishing, and later to Windows. Designed primarily for long technical documentation, attempts to broaden its base to a wider consumer desktop publishing audience floundered. Adobe acquired the product from Frame Technology and continued its development with version 5.5 arriving in 1997 and version 6 showing up in 2000. Version 7.2 comes in standard and Server editions.
