The version of FrameMaker available in "new" mode on the RCS UNIX systems has just gotten newer. On December 16, version 5.5.6 replaced version 5.5.3, which was in "new" mode for several weeks and is no longer available.
In addition to a number of bug fixes, version 5.5.6 includes the ability to save files as XML and the ability to import Word97 files, as well as the following improvements introduced with version 5.5.3:
To use the latest version, issue the following commands in a UNIX window:
setup frame-new maker &
Alternately, you may click on the FrameMaker option on the RCS Applications menu.
The first time you use the new version, a new directory called FrameMaker will be created in your home directory. This directory, which will be version-independent, will remain the current directory for all future releases of FrameMaker, putting an end to the proliferation of Frame directories created with each new version. You will find the familiar Frame directories ClipArt, Samples, and Templates one level down in a directory called FrameLinks.
Note that, when you create a new file with version 5.5.6, it saves the file with the extension ".fm" instead of ".doc" as in previous versions. And when you use the new version to open an older document, the program will convert it to Frame 5.5.6 and generate a message to that effect.
However, please note that older versions of Frame cannot open a Frame 5.5.6 document. Therefore, if, while using Frame 5.5.6, you know you will want to open the document later with an earlier version, you can save it as a MIF file. The earlier version of Frame will be able to open the MIF file, although any new features will not be available.
Note that FrameMaker saves a file as PDF by first creating a PostScript file and then calling Adobe Acrobat Distiller to convert to PDF. However, because Distiller is not available for SGI systems, the PDF feature is not available on SGIs. If you work on an SGI and want to save your Frame file as PDF, first save the file as PostScript, and later run Distiller on an IBM or a Sun.
You may use Adobe Acroread, available on all RCS UNIX platforms, to view a PDF file. To do this, issue a command similar to the following from a UNIX prompt, where somefile.pdf refers to the specific file you wish to view:
acroread somefile.pdf &
FrameMaker 5.5.6 will become the system default at the beginning of the Spring 1999 semster, and you will no longer have to set it up. You will still be able to access the current version of FrameMaker, version 5.1, until February 12 by entering the command setup frame-old from a UNIX prompt before running the program.
FrameMaker has extensive on-line help; to access it, click on the HELP button at the top of the FrameMaker window. Printed manuals are also available in the ACS Help Desk areas, as well as in the computer manual reference collection, located on the first floor of the Folsom Library.
If you have any additional questions about using Frame, please contact the ACS Help Desk consultants, or direct electronic mail to consult@rpi.edu.