Header
Newsgroups: comp.text.sgml
Date: 07 Oct 1994 23:27:36 UT
From: Erik Naggum <erik@naggum.no>
Organization: Naggum Software; +47 2295 0313
Message-ID: <19941007T232736Z.erik@naggum.no>
References: <CxBALM.Kz2@mv.mv.com>
Subject: Re: MS Word SGML Add on (text version)
Text
[Howard Kaikow]
| The following is uuencoded, zipped RTF of a fax I received. Could be
| errors in OCR or manual conversion, but it should do.
thanks for the contents. I have taken it out of its two proprietary worlds
(PKZIP and RTF) and put it into the universal form of the free world: text.
#<Erik>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft Introduces First SGML Authoring Tool for Microsoft Word
New Add-On Tool Makes Creating SGML Easy
REDMOND, Wash. - Sept. 13, 1994 - Microsoft Corporation today announced
Microsoft* SGML Author for Word, an easy-to-use add-on tool for Microsoft
Word 6.0 for the Windows* operating system for creating Standard
Generalized Markup Language (SGML). SGML Author hides the complexities of
SGML, allowing users to create SGML quickly without extensive training or
knowledge. Users no longer have to spend hours manually tagging documents
-- SGML Author does it for them automatically.
SGML 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 hardware
platforms in an open, vendor-neutral format. It defines a methodology for
"marking" the contents of a document such as the title, the author, a
graphic, the date, or even specific categories of data, essentially turning
the document into a database.
SGML is used by organizations such as governments, airlines and
pharmaceutical companies, among others, that are looking for ways to reuse
and publish document-based information electronically. Because it is an
open data specification, SGML enables companies to publish information
through media such as CD-ROM, electronic viewers and paper. In the airline
industry, manufacturers are investigating distributing their aircraft
service bulletins electronically to be read with intelligent document
viewing systems. For example, if a maintenance person needs a guide for
adjusting a plane's landing gear, a viewing tool could assemble all the
necessary information automatically.
"Many companies are looking for easy-to-use, cost-effective applications
like SGML Author," said Peter Pathe, general manager of the Word business
unit at Microsoft. "SGML Author exends the power and ease of use of Word
to the emerging demand for online documents and electronic publishing."
SGML Author Makes It Easier to Create SGML
According to InterConsult, Inc., a Massachusetts-based research firm, the
most common request among companies is to make SGML easier to use. SGML
Author simplifies the SGML creation process by allowing users to work
entirely within Word's graphical word-processing environment. Users of SGML
Author never see SGML "tags" in Word and are therefore shielded from the
complexities of SGML so they can focus entirely on creating documents.
Because users of SGML Author for Word are already working within a familiar
word-processing environment, creating SGML can be quicker, easier and more
cost-effective. Because SGML Author requires no programming, it also
facilitates SGML creation by administrators. Using intuitive
point-and-click management tools, administrators can configure SGML Author,
to make their solutions operational quickly.
SGML Author Leverages Users' Investment in Word
With SGML Author, companies can leverage their investments in Word by
adding SGML functionality without having to purchase a separate, dedicated
SGML application. Because users of SGML Author are already familiar with
Word, they can become productive quickly with minimal incremental training
or knowledge of SGML.
As organizations increasingly distribute and manage information
electronically, they are looking to build publishing solutions based on
off-the-shelf applications. "SGML Author for Word solidifies the position
of Word as a robust authoring tool that can be used as a component in
demanding publishing applications," said Mark Walter, senior editor at
Seybold Publications, Inc.
SGML Author and Third-Party Tools Deliver Complete SGML Solutions
SGML Author is a single component of any SGML solution that usually
includesapplications from many vendors. Microsoft's strategy is to work
actively with third-party vendors to offer companies a complete, end-to-end
SGML solution. A number of third-party vendors have created products and
services that leverage their areas of expertise to specifically augment
SGML Author.
"Microsoft's SGML Author provides a significant boost for the SGML
industry," said Bill Zoellick, president of Avalanche Development Company.
"SGML Author for Word does an excellent job of complementing many existing
third-party SGML tools." Microsoft is working with several companies
supporting SGML Author, including Avalanche, Electronic Book Technologies,
Interleaf, Inc., MicroStar Software and SoftQuad Inc.
System Requirements
Microsoft SGML Author for Word requires a PC with an 80386 or higher
microprocessor, Microsoft Word 6.0 forWindows or later, theMS-DOS operating
system version 3.0 or later, 4 MB of memory minimum (6 MB recommended), 3
MB of hard disk space, and a Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device.
Also required is one of the following: Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or
later, Microsoft Windows\'99 for Workgroups version 3.1 or higher, or
Microsoft Windows\'99 for Pen Computing.
Pricing and Availability
Microsoft SGML Author for Word will be available for approximately $595.
It is expected to begin shipping by the end of the fourth quarter of 1994.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the
mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage
of the full power of personal computing every day.
########
Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark
of Microsoft Corporation.
Editor's Note: MS-DOS is a trademarked product name. Please do not
abbreviate in any way.
--
Microsoft is not the answer. Microsoft is the question. NO is the answer.