Re: Further to K-mac's problem...

["Michael P. Kube-McDowell" K-Mac@xxxxxxxx]

Date sent:   	Thu, 8 Apr 1999 11:43:05 +0200
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From:      	"Tom Learmont" 
To:       	
Subject:    	Further to K-mac's problem...

> A studio in Germany complained about Word 6-converted-from-Xy3+ files
> (especially tabs) coming out all higgledy-piggledy, even though they were
> perfect at the Johannesburg end. So, with a heavy heart I inflicted the
> task of learning Word 6 on my excellent casual typist. After she had
> mastered it, she began to ask for more money because Word 6 is so slow,
> with its pathetic version of save-gets, compared to Xy3+ (this is
> something publishers haven't woken up to yet -- Word wastes time). And
> boy, do you need save gets for the characters in a drama script!!
>
> The solution was to find out what page set up and paragraph formatting
> details were being used by translators who originated in Word. When these
> are set up correctly, a Xy3+ text simply flows into the mould, including
> hanging indents; all she has to do in Word is insert page numbers and
> delete the Xy3 formatting triangles at the beginning. All's well that ends
> well; everyone is happy including the blissfully ignorant studio (which
> has commended me for abandoning my obsolete word processor!)
>
> So the answer might lie in carefully preparing the target processor to
> receive the Xy3 text. I realise this might not be the case with XyWin,
> which I've never used. Does it export Xy3 files?

XyWin (which uses the XyDOS IV formatting protocols) can export
to XyDOS III using the W4W17T.DLL filter. In theory. 

I'm glad you found a solution, but it's exactly that sort of two-toads-
and-a-pinch-of-mugwump-root fiddling that I've lost patience with.
(It's not that I can't deal with it--I've been at this since DOS 1.0,
160K floppies, and the 64K motherboard, did my own batchfile and
BASIC programming, etc. I just don't feel like I should have to get
in touch with my British publisher's typesetting bureau to find out
how many toads and how much mugwump root before I can with
confidence pass on a file or files.)

Best,

   K-Mac


  ---] Michael Paul McDowell, writing as Michael P. Kube-McDowell
  ---] Author of THE QUIET POOLS and STAR WARS: THE BLACK FLEET CRISIS
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