RE: [xsl] Word -> XSL

["G. Ken Holman" <gkholman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 2010-01-05 09:11 -0500, Schultz, Len wrote:
> I reached the same conclusion about using FO: it would be so much 
> work that it would not be worth it,
> ...
> I don't know FO well, and don't know what it can and can't do 
> relative to WordML.

Then perhaps you've arrived at the incorrect conclusion.

> unless there was a tool that could translate.

Translate what?  Automatic translation from WordML to an XSLT 
stylesheet running XSL-FO?  Good luck!  WordML is a serialization of 
a proprietary word processor infernal (internal) format.  XSL-FO is 
pagination language for methodical rule-based layout.

> I wanted to double check with the experts first.

I don't think you've given enough detail.  I've produced some very 
high quality layouts for customers by using XSL-FO very successfully.

> Michael, you are right that almost no "amateur" users use the high 
> level structuring features: e.g. all spacing and pagination is done 
> with carriage returns.  This will be one of the steps needed before 
> the transform is to apply consistent styles and structure to the 
> template before transformation.
>
> And you both bring up a good point on the other approach: that a 
> simplified design kit with limited customization options might work 
> better for most restaurants.  Most restaurants might get a better 
> product that way: a professionally designed and structured layout 
> with consistency.

Sounds like a job for XSL-FO to me.

> This brings up another question I have.  I don't know FO well, and 
> don't know what it can and can't do relative to WordML.  E.g. in 
> WordML, I can specify a book fold: where the flow is presented on a 
> 2 column landscape layout that can be folded in the middle to create a book.

In XSL-FO 1.1 I can set up two flow regions on a page with 
appropriate margins such that folding the page in half creates a book-fold.

> I can set this up with one parameter in WordML.

One parameter?  I doubt that ... what about margins and 
separation?  In XSL-FO all you have to specify are the margins, 
separation, regions and the flow map.  It is all very straightforward 
*when* you know what the processor can do.

> What are FO's limitations relative to a powerful word processor or 
> page layout program?

Comparable ... the only nuance is that formatting in XSL-FO is 
turnkey in that you set up the rules and the contingencies, and the 
process runs to produce the output.  There is no back-and-forth 
negotiation of things like dynamically-variable font sizes.

So certainly there are places where XSL-FO cannot be used when the 
rules cannot be expressed statically.

> Also, does anyone have experience with commercial servers, such as 
> Quark Server, In Design Server, PageFlex, etc?  If so, what do these 
> bring to the table that FO and WordML can't do?

I hope Dorothy Hoskins is reading this because I've seen her at 
conferences present her work with InDesign and XML where such 
back-and-forth interaction between layout and data is necessary that 
cannot be achieved with something like XSL-FO.

But from the limited descriptions of your needs that I've read, you 
don't have such back-and-forth copy-fitting requirements ... simply 
layout requirements.

I hope this helps.

. . . . . . . . Ken

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