NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #26/NN_1992_26.iso/spool/comp/text/1380

Internet Message Format | 1992-11-10 | 3.2 KB

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Path: sparky!uunet!news.tek.com!ogicse!emory!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!usc!hacgate!mitchell!lynne
From: [e-mail] (Lynne Case)
Newsgroups: comp.text,comp.sys.sun.apps
Subject: Re: Alternatives to FrameMaker
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 10 Nov 92 21:50:25 GMT
Article-I.D.: hacgate.23953
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Organization: Hughes Aircraft Company
Lines: 50

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Richard Warner) writes:
|> [e-mail] (John Bossert) writes:
|>
|> >We're looking for alternatives to FrameMaker that have a more
|> >realistic/aggressive pricing model.
|>
|> >We're running Sun-4's (IPX's) and $2500 per license is unacceptable
|> >to us. (I know, run node.locked - but I thought the network was the computer)
|> >Does anyone sell this stuff to compete with Microsoft Word on a PC? (I hope
|> >I'm not struck by lightning for that one...)
|>
|> >How does IslandWrite, et.al. stack up?  We're typically doing Requirements
|> >Documents, Project Management Plans and the like.
|>
|> >Thanks in advance for any ideas.
|> >--
|>
|> Well what is it you want?  Microsoft Word and FrameMaker are very different
|> programs oriented towards very different markets.  Word is a word processor
|> that now incorporates a few desktop publishing features.  FrameMaker is
|> a technical/scientific oriented document preparation and management system.
|> The closest thing on a PC (other than FrameMaker itself) is AmiPro.
|>
|> If you want a word processor, you can get Word (yuck!) or WordPerfect (the
|> new 5.1 for Sun or X).  Island Write, etc., is an OK word processor that
|> integrates well with its companion paint and draw modules but less well
|> with the rest of the world.  If you want document preparation and
|> management, FrameMaker is it.  And if you plan for max use and get
|> network floating licenses the price is considerably less than $2500/node.
|>
|> >In-Real-Life: John Bossert, Thalatta Corporation, (+1 206.455.9838)
|> >Domain: [e-mail]   Path: ...!sun!sunup!thebes!bossert

John is correct.  When we last purchased FrameMaker, we could purchase a
floating license for $2500 per simultaneous user.  So you could have 10
nodes on your network but only 3 simultaneous users and the purchase price
would then be $7500.  If you really need licenses on all 10 machines you
could buy  ten fixed licenses at $1000 dollars.  This is what we did and
simply restricted FrameMaker use to certain machines.  I believe that
Interleaf has the same pricing structure only it is even more expensive.
I personally think FrameMaker is worth the price, but then I also do not
like MicroSoft and WordPerfect so maybe I am too biased.
--
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Lynne Case                      || I generally avoid temptation unless
Hughes Aircraft Co.             || I can't resist it.
e-mail: [e-mail]  ||              --- Mae West
 phone: [phone] or 1256  ||
   fax: [phone]          ||
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