ID: Q126249
The information in this article applies to:
This article answers the most frequently asked questions regarding Microsoft SGML Author 1.0 for Word 6.0 for Windows.
1. Q. What is SGML Author for Word?
A. Microsoft SGML Author is an add-on to Word 6.0 for Windows that
builds on Word's easy-to-use word processing tools. SGML Author hides
the complexities of SGML, enabling you to become productive without
extensive training or knowledge. With SGML Author, you can forget
about spending hours manually tagging documents because SGML Author
does it for you automatically. All you have to do is focus entirely
on creating documents. SGML Author's focuses are:
- Providing an easy-to-use SGML authoring solution. SGML Author does
not use tags in the authoring environment. This shields you from
the complexities of SGML and allows you to focus on creating
content. Administrators configure SGML Author to any DTD without
programming using point-and-click tools.
- Leveraging your investment in Word. SGML Author allows you to
create SGML in your mainstream word processor rather than
requiring a completely separate editing environment.
- Supporting key industry standards. SGML Author's ease-of-use and
author productivity features are matched with its built-in
support for key industry standards and its ability to read and
write syntactically correct, fully parseable SGML.
2. Q. What is the price for SGML Author?
A. SGML Author will have an estimated retail price (ERP) of $595.0
(US) and will also be available through the same volume licensing
packages as other Microsoft software.
3. Q. How will SGML Author be distributed
A. SGML Author is available directly from Microsoft and through a
number of well established channels, including third-party
integrators, ISVs, and Solution Providers. Since SGML is a strategic
technology for many organizations, Microsoft is working with these
channels to insure that SGML Author users have the highest level of
third-party support.
To obtain pre-sales information about new or updated Microsoft
products, call the Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-
9400. If you are outside the United States, contact your local
subsidiary. To locate your subsidiary, see the Microsoft World Wide
Offices Web site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/default.htm
4. Q. What is SGML?
A. SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) is an international
standard that describes the relationship between a document's content
and its structure. SGML allows document-based information to be
shared and reused across applications and computer platforms in an
open, vendor-neutral format. SGML is sometimes compared to SQL, in
that it enables companies to structure information in documents in an
open fashion, so that it can be accessed or reused by any SGML-aware
application across multiple platforms.
5. Q. What are the benefits of SGML?
A. There are three primary reasons why companies are moving their
documents into SGML. These reasons are:
* Document Reuse. SGML separates content from presentation, making
information stored in documents very flexible for uses with
multiple delivery formats, such as CD-ROM and electronic
publishing. Because SGML represents information stored in
documents as fielded data, this means that SGML-aware applications
can be used to query and retrieve entire documents or even pieces
of documents from document repositories. This information can then
be combined and delivered in a wide variety of formats.
* Document Protection. SGML is an international, platform-
independent standard that is based on ASCII text, so companies can
safely store their documents in SGML without being tied to any
single vendor solutions.
* Document Interchange. SGML is a core data standard that enables
any SGML-aware application to interoperate and share data
seamlessly. This enables customers to choose the best applications
for their SGML solutions. In some respects, SGML is ahead of many
other computing technologies where a standard data format is
defined and customers can "plug-in" any vendor's application as
part of a larger solution.
6. Q. What are the primary uses for SGML?
A. SGML is primarily used for electronic publishing and distribution
systems. One of the big advantages of SGML is that it is an open,
vendor-neutral data standard that allows companies to create
documents that can be reused with a number of different media, such
as CD-ROM, electronic document viewers, and on-demand publishing.
Further, SGML is an excellent format for archiving documents that
require a long life-span.
7. Q. Does SGML Author assure DTD conformance?
A. When you save an SGML instance, SGML Author automatically ensures
that syntactically correct SGML is always created. To do this, SGML
Author may need to adjust the document to ensure its conformance to
the DTD. To provide batch feedback to the user, SGML Author returns a
new Word file that contains annotations describing any necessary
adjustments. These annotations are all worded in terms familiar to
Word users, as opposed to terms familiar to the DTD creator.
Keywords : kbusage kbsgml kbformat
Version : 6.0a 6.0c
Platform : WINDOWSLast Reviewed: August 7, 1997