Uh Oh... (Microsoft Word Target not working)

[beagley]

Do I need to have Microsoft Word installed to export to a Microsoft Word format?

That seems ludicrous, but an error message suggests it is true.

I can convert Word documents into PDF using TextEdit/OpenOffice/etc. I don't need Word. But Flare somehow NEEDS MSWord in order to do its export?

If the answer is “yes,” can anyone think of any way I can produce PDFs if I do not own Microsoft Word or Framemaker?

[KevinDAmery]

Yes it does - you need Word 2003 for the Word export to work. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news....

[LTinker68]

And you need Word 2007 to be able to create a PDF directly from Flare.

As for other methods of creating PDFs... I have Adobe Acrobat, so I open the Word output and generate the PDF from there using the Acrobat plug-in. If you don't have Acrobat, there are other (free) programs available for creating PDFs.

[beagley]

I'm just... dumbfounded.

I was really digging this product, and now I learn that it can't generate any kind of printable media? It can't even create a .doc file?

So depressed.

*sigh*

Back to the drawing board...
-d

[LTinker68]

FYI... It clearly states in the system requirements (http://kb.madcapsoftware.com/default_CSH.htm#FlareTop1) that you need Word 2003 SP2 (Flare v1 and higher) or Framemaker 6 or higher (Flare v2 and higher) for printed output.

[beagley]

Yep yep. I'm not arguing... I'm just whining.

Thanks, though!
-d

[SteveS]

Of course if the Blaze beta is any indication of what Flare IV has in store....

In the meantime, add a feature request here

[RamonS]

Keep in mind that the .doc format is a proprietary, binary format that others emulate as good as possible (OpenOffice.org for example), but it really is Microsoft's fault for crushing any competition and other formats and then not coming forward with specs about what they use. While that may be the way to rake in more cash for Microsoft it makes it just more troublesome for everyone else, as you case clearly shows. PDF is also proprietary, but Adobe generally publishes enough maintained information about the format so that others can use it (FoxIT, OpenOffice.org, and yes, Word 2007 as well). It shows that using proprietary formats is not a smart thing. Unfortunately, MadCap decided not so support the only broadly implemented, open, XML based, ISO certified document format: ODF. With ODF Flare could generate the printable output without any additional software needed and after downloading OOo one could create PDFs. So, MadCap, when do we finally get ODF support? Or do we really have to go out and by MS Office and wait for the service pack to generate ODF from Flare projects?

[KevinDAmery]

PDF is also proprietary, but Adobe generally publishes enough maintained information about the format so that others can use it (FoxIT, OpenOffice.org, and yes, Word 2007 as well).

Not strictly true anymore: Adobe opened PDF up as an ISO standard last year.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/12/ ... ard_1.html

[RamonS]

I stand corrected on that one.

[Richard Ferrell]

Flare needs word in order to create the DOC files, Also Flare needs Word in order to import Word files also. Flare use Word to import the DOC files, as it saves it as XML and them import XML into your Flare project

[beagley]

Thanks RamonS... no worries, I do understand. Our company has an informal ban on Microsoft related products or workflow for exactly those reasons. ODF is a good idea, agreed.

My frustration is that I'm hunting for a good single-sourcing documentation solution... and it looks like I'll have to wait for Flare 4, and I don't know if we can wait that long. I've got a nice 3-6 month window right now, but at the end of it I need to have an online help system as well as PDF manuals for our existing documentation. I may have to reconsider ATCS, which is wicked depressing.

Come on MadCap! Bring on Flare 4! ...or a mid-version update that incorporates a smidge of Blaze's functionality!