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Start associated text on DCA conversion
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These notes give extra information on converting MS_Word files from the Mac
to FrameMaker files using version 1.0 of FrameMaker's dcatomif filter.
Also included is an improved configuration file for this filter. We evolved
this method some time ago, and Frame may well now provide a better method of
doing so. Ask for information from your FrameMaker supplier about Frame's
current range of filters for other word/document processors.


First of all, DCA files are binary files. When you transfer them between
computers, you must ensure you preserve the top bit of each byte. It's
important to realise this, as many comms programs default to stripping top
bits.

Secondly, the process of converting MS-Word documents to FrameMaker is not
as simple as suggested. This is because the DCA format used has fewer codes
available for characters and fonts than does MWS-Word, so many characters
and fonts get merged.

There are some fixes you can use for this to get an improved conversion.
These involve doing some global exchanges on the RTF file that MS-Word
produces, and/or editing a file within the FrameMaker filter that specifies
how fonts and characters are converted.

* Below is a version of this file that (in my opinion) improves the mapping
  of characters. By the way, this isn't a criticism of FrameMaker's version
  of the file - that has to be a generic file for any word processor which
  will produce DCA, and there are a lot of them out there. It's just that my
  version is specific to MS-Word on the Mac.

  To use the file, rename the file dca.am that was supplied with your filter
  as something else (say dca.am.issue). It's a good idea to keep it! Then
  save my version of the file as dca.am. The file is delimited by rows of
  tilde's (~).

* Also, below is a document in MS-Word RTF format that gives a lot of
  details about how to make a conversion, and how to customise it. Some of
  it's simple, other bits get more technical. I can't guarantee its
  technical accuracy because most of it was worked out by trial and error -
  although many people use DCA, it seems to be virtually impossible to get a
  specification!

  The document had to be in some weird format (rather than plain text)
  because it needs to use a lot of top-bit-set Mac characters. Many mail
  systems strip out top bits. However, if you're interested in converting
  MS-Word files, you ought to have a copy of MS-Word available! To read the
  document, transfer it to a Mac, and read it into Word as an RTF file. If
  in doubt, consult your MS-Word manual. Again, the document is delimited by
  more rows of tilde's (~).

  Some of the lines are quite long, and this may cause problems with some
  mail systems. I hope you don't get a corrupted version.