FrameMaker development - until version 3.0

Release date	Version 1.11b [5] 1986 ?	Version 1.3 1988	Version 2.0 and 2.1 1989	Version 3.0 1992 1/2 Quarter
User interface [4]	File path to be typed in (open, save, import)	X-Window support. File selection lists. Remember last directory	Localised: de, fr Macintosh version available in May 1990) Version 2.1: Localised version for Japan	Menu structure changed. 'Page' menu folded into 'Format'. Windows 3.11 version probably available 1992
Documentation/ Help	About 100 pages 8.5 x 11" [1]		Manual more comprehensive, size 7.5x9.5". Additional short guides on MIF, MML and early FDK	Additional information in supplements (tables, cond. text). 2.5" thick book listing all 3rd party products "Frame Connections"
OS specifics & fonts	UNIX version only (Sun Sparc, Apollo Domain) MIF file handling right from the beginning ???	File selection dialog added to all fields requesting a file name	Version 2.1 ??? ported to Macintosh (no screen capture, macros, context menus); Version 2.1 running X Window and OS/Motif on Apllo, DEC, HP, IBM, SUN and NEXT	NeXt version discontinued 1992-06: Windows (3.x) version in store. "Version for Windows NT is planned for launch later 1992"
Document handling	Spell checking for few languages; change bars		Search includes all object types. Version 2.1: Eur. paper sizes and metric measures	Conditional text introduced
Typography	¶-designer has only 1 'page' of properties		¶-designer with several 'pages'; Character styles introduced
Page layout	One masterpage per document (page 0). 1-line header and 1-line footer; mirror for R/L		Multiple masterpages. Text frames to define header and footer. Reference pages (boiler plate elements, definitions for TOC etc.)	'Text Rectangles' became 'Text Columns' (later: text frames)
Graphics / colour	Graphic capabilities (except text frame). Rotate in 90° steps		Rotated text in 90° increments, graphics in any angle. Spot colour introduced [3]	Break each text line in a column into separate text frame (pseudo run-around). Basic colour for objects. Process colour using Open Prepress Interface
Tables				Tables introduced, full set of functions
Import / Export	Basic import filters Print, print to PDF		Version 2.0: Import filters for some text formats Version 2.1: Filtrix filters for 25 formats	MML import [softline.com]; filters added for DCA, CGM, CCITT-G4, IGES, HPGL, DXF and Calcomp 960
Hypertext				Hypertext commands introduced 1993-01: HyperGen [3]HyperGen war a product of Frank Stearns Associates, the makers of IXGEN makes TOC, IX and X-refs live
Language			Language is ¶-property; dicitionaries for 4 languages. Version 2.1: now 11 language dictionaries (spell, hyphenation)	International hyphenation and spelling support
Variables, references	System variables, user defined variables		Cross references introduced. Character properties in variables
Book operations; generated files	Special text file in MIF syntax to define contents of book; run in batch mode with fmbook. Probably only TOC and index available.		Dialogues for book building and generated lists	Batch book building More types of generated lists
Utilities	fmbook, fmbatch FrameReader, FrameViewer ???		No utilities on Macintosh	No utilities on Windows
Formulas			Equations Editor based on Milo introduced	Typography enhanced
SGML				1992-Q4: FrameBuilder (SUN) = FrameMaker + SGML [2]
Commercial issues	DECwrite is based on FM 1.0 [Pospectus 1992–02]		1991-01: European sales are 17% of revenue 1990-02: >14000 licences worldwide; price of UX versions USD 2500.–	Mac version: USD 995.- Win version: USD 795.- FrameBuilder: USD 1995.– on SUN. 1992–08: 60% revenue encrease in Q2 most likely due to Windows version 1992–02 [prospectus]: > 50'000 licenses; Int. sales steady on 14–17% revenue

Notes

[1] From e-mail conversation with Martha J Davidson: a very clear description of what the program was for, how it worked, and how to use all of its features.

[2] Based on Exoterica XGML Engine, licenced already in 1989.

[3] Sources consider the functions as powerful as SunDraw of those days.

[4] Keyboard 'shortcuts' for nearly every task available. When was this introduced ???

[5] The first publically known version of FrameMaker

[6] HyperGen was a product of Frank Stearns Associtates. See FSA oldies.