Differences between 7 and 8 for long books

Question

I am considering FM 7 and 8 for producing a long book.  The issue with 8 is that it requires SP2 on XP, and I can't put that on my writing system.
So that would favour 7 unless its features are noticably lacking compared to 8.  Here are the book requirements, please read carefully --
* There are 4 parallel columns spread across 2 facing pages -- each column has its own text, layout, font and size, different from texts in other columns.
* All 4 columns in the spread (2 on even pages, 2 on odd pages) must retain their positions on the spread, no matter which page of the book you turn to.
* There is absolutely no left to right wrapping of columns in a parallel column layout.  This means all columns flow down - even to even, and odd to odd.
* This page flow must be automatic -- I am simply NOT going to draw frames for all pages and manually link them across a 400 page book, it is absurd.
I need to know which one of 7 or 8 supports automatic wrapping of 2 columns on even pages to the next even page, and the two columns on the right odd pages to the next odd page (if you don't understand this requisite column flow, please leave it for other to reply who do -- thank you).  If both FM 7 and 8 are more or less the same, that would be very helpful information too.  Please give compative capabilities as it relates to parallel book columns.
BTW, another really crucial feature is being able to manually set a FIXED line height in each column -- not in point size, like InDesign does (that does not work for precise alignment) -- I should be able to specify the line height in each column in decimals of an inch.  Which one can do this?
Your help on these specific questions is much appreciated.  Please no discussion of FM 9.  I will not be getting that version.  Thanks

Answer 1

ScratchyBoy wrote:
Mike --
That weird work-around is indecipherable to me (column less than a character width??) -- would you care to explain it in the context of this thread?
I noticed that Arnis has already explained the reason for using a tiny frame in each thread to carry the flow across pages where you don't want to display that content.
The reason Jay posted that is because he was on my question in InDesign, realized the serious failing of InDesign to handle a 2-page spread of parallel columns, and obviously wanted to see if FM could do it.  He did a book in FM with only 2 columns, hence the "entrenched" concept of even-to-odd page flow worked fine for him.
You know, I have personally read 100+ books with 4 parallel texts like I am describing, and I am sure there are thousands of ones I haven't read with a similar layout.  It takes scarcely 2 seconds to realize, looking at the 2 page spread, that even page columns MUST wrap to even page columns, and odd to odd.  It's not an "unusual, special" request, it is a NECESSARY REQUIREMENT of 4 parallel columns spread across facing pages.  Surely you can see that?  But it seems that Adobe developers either never read any scholarly texts, or they just don't understand parallel texts -- period.
Have you contacted the folks who created the books you're referring to, to learn what tools they used for the books? Just seeing the final print version, or even the PDF, can't reveal the underlying construction.
Maybe the truth came out in that thread.  Framemaker, as it was originally conceived by the original developers, DID allow correct page flow for parallel columns -- but once Adobe got it, they killed that ability, dumbing it down to InDesign's level, which cannot do it.  Peter so much as admitted to that fact on that thread, that somewhere in the versions, this feature was killed.  Which confirms the above paragraph.
Winfried Ring responded to my question about the feature not working in later FrameMaker releases, in that other thread, that the technique still works in later FrameMaker releases. The key, Winfried pointed out, is to begin the document with one body page, regardless of whether it's a single-page or facing-page layout. This keeps FrameMaker from getting confused about where the flows should go on the new pages it creates as any of the flows grows to the point that it creates a new page.
I think you're trying to imagine how these techniques will work, rather than trying them out hands-on. I've done that myself; it's a good learning style for some things, but in this particular case, you need the empirical experience of seeing how the software's built-in mechanisms behave. Until and unless you do it and gain the experience, you can't imagine, project, empathize, conjure, or visualize how these things work. You do have a clear vision of what you want for the end result, however.
In FrameMaker, as in InDesign, as in PageMaker, as in QuarkXpress, you draw text frames on document pages, or on master pages, using a text frame tool. It's named differently in each application.
The tools are for users to apply their vision and creativity, so if you need a certain kind of layout, you need to lay it out yourself. If your particular layout were common, there would very likely be at least one template for available in each professional publishing tool's community.
Why should I even consider FM 9 ??  Adobe wants $1000 bucks for it -- they brag on its "improved features for book production".  What a laugh!  They can't even conceive of scholarly comparative books across a HUGE gamut of subject areas -- so why should I consider it ??  I'd love for someone to tell me: "YES !!  I am proud to announce that FrameMaker can do this natively out of the box !! "  But I don't see it coming, do you?
Professional tools cost huge money to develop. If you use them professionally, your work should bring in the revenue to pay for the tools.
As has been said by many posters on many threads in regards to most software, especially the professional tools, it's very unlikely that you'll find a legitimate copy of a past version for sale. The older the version, the less likely there will be a legit copy on some dealer's shelf that pops up, and is put on eBay for a song. It's illegal to sell old versions that one uses to upgrade to a new version. You'll not be able to register the license; in recent versions of Adobe products, you won't be able to use the software at all after the trial period expires, without a valid license.
Using a license cracking tool is also illegal.
It sounds as if  your hardware and Windows version limitations are constraining your software choices. It's a tough set of choices.
Oh, BTW, here's a link to a PDF of a FrameMaker example of what I think you're talking about:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/363247/fm%207X7%204-parallel%20flows%20across%20same-side%20pages. recover.pdf
EDIT:
In the PDF, the small fragments of text are the "pass-through" threaded frames that Arnis described. They're larger than a single character, so you can see the text flow through; in real use, they should be teensy.
/EDIT
It's trickier in InDesign because it's built-in ability to create new pages as stories grow is trick to accomplish the same behavior. The In-Tools plugin that was mentioned can do this.
If you're persnickety about typographic control, InDesign is the better tool. FrameMaker isn't a slouch, it's just that InDesign's been bred for the task.
Regarding lining up the text across columns, InDesign and FrameMaker both can control baseline alignment. You'll need to try out both tools to decide which works the way you need.
HTH
Regards,
Peter
Peter Gold
KnowHow ProServices