Filtrix: Frequently-Asked Questions

FAX :	(925) 887-6687
EMAIL :	sales@blueberrysoftware.com
MAIL :	Blueberry Software, Inc. PO Box 271235 Concord, CA 94527 USA

• For Windows: Place an order and get the files via FTP or your Web browser (with a special password you'll receive when you order).
• For UNIX: A password key will turn your demo software into a fully licensed version, after you purchase a license.

The Filtrix fixed license is node locked. It will only operate on the machine that is licensed. The Motif and OPEN LOOK versions work across networks.

What are the differences between Filtrix for Windows and Filtrix-UNIX?

Filtrix for Windows and Filtrix-UNIX conversions are very similar.

Supported formats are a bit different. For example, Filtrix-UNIX supports conversions for SunWrite and Island products. Filtrix for Windows does not support these formats.

Filtrix for Windows supports import of all versions of Microsoft Word. Filtrix-UNIX supports import only up to Word 2000.

How much disk space does Filtrix require?

• Filtrix for Windows requires less than 10 megabytes of hard disk space.
• Filtrix for UNIX requires less than 15 megabytes for the initial installation, but can usually be trimmed down to a few megabytes by removing modules you won't be using, if you are doing only a few types of conversions.

How can I reduce Filtrix disk usage?

• For Sun users: Filtrix is available for Sun OS and Solaris systems. Sun OS users can remove the solaris subdirectory and Solaris users can remove the sun4 (Sun OS) directory.
• GUI extras: Filtrix-Unix is shipped with several GUIs.You may delete GUIs that do not apply to your environment.

• filtrix.ol = Fixed license for OpenLook
• filtrixelm.ol = Floating license for OpenLook
• filtrix.mo = Fixed license for Motif
• filtrixelm.mo = Floating license for Motif

Lotsa filters: If you only convert files between two or three types, many other filters can be removed from the system.
Filters named in* are for reading input files; filters named out* are for writing output files.

The most popular filters are:

• inascii reads simple ASCII text files
• infr reads FrameMaker 3 and 4 MIF files
• infr5 reads FrameMaker 5 MIF files
• inhtm reads HTML 3 and 4 files
• inil5 reads Interleaf IAF 5 and 6 files
• inwp5 reads WordPerfect 5.x files
• inwp6 reads WordPerfect 6.x and 7.x/8 files
• inww8 reads Word 97 files
• inww reads Word for Windows 2 files
• inww6 reads Word for Windows 6 and 7 files
• outasc writes ASCII text files with simple formatting tags
• outfr5 writes FrameMaker 5 MIF files
• outhtml writes HTML files
• outil writes Interleaf 4 IAF files
• outil5 writes Interleaf 5 IAF files
• outwp5 writes WordPerfect 5 files
• outwp6 writes WordPerfect 6/7/8 files
• outww writes Word for Windows 2 files
• outww6 writes Word for Windows 6 files (readable by Word 97/98/2000)
• outww8 writes Word for Windows 98/2000/XP/2003 files

Other filters can be removed if they are not used. Remember, you need pairs of filters, one to read source files and one to write target files.

Do I need to be root to install Filtrix for UNIX?

• Usually not. The only times you may need to become root or superuser are:
  • to create the Filtrix install directory
  • (for a fixed license) to create the /etc/licenses file
  • (for a floating license) to add the fxelmd floating license daemon to system startup files
    

You should install Filtrix in its own directory, and that directory should be owned by the user who is performing the installation. This is generally a regular user, not root.

The file permissions on the directory and files should be read-execute for world.

What is the difference between Microsoft Word and Word for Windows?

Microsoft has many different publishing tools available under the title of "Word."
Most of these have individual formats that are not compatible with other versions of Word, other than by using filters. We support Microsoft Word for DOS through version 6, and Word for Windows version 2, 6, and 7, along with Word 97 and Word 2000.

Will Filtrix work across networks?

Yes, on NFS mounted filesystems. Using Filtrix on automounted filesystems may cause unexpected difficulties and errors.

How does Filtrix for Windows run on a network?

Filtrix can be installed on a local machine and/or on a network server. A local machine install will be a single user license version of Filtrix. The default install location is c:\Program Files\Blueberry Software\Filtrix; however, it may be installed on any valid drive/path combination. For Filtrix to function on a network it will need to be installed on a drive that is shared to other (client) computers. The drive must be mounted by these client computers and given a drive letter. For example, you need to be able to see the drive from within MS Explorer.

To install Filtrix for a network, run the installation program from any computer that mounts to network drive (preferably from the computer that has the drive as an internal drive). You will need write permissions in the directory where Filtrix is installed. Once Filtrix is installed, create a shortcut to filtrix.exe on each computer that you want access to Filtrix. Right click on the Desktop->New->Shortcut. Click Browse and navigate through the Explorer window to the install directory. If you don't see the network drive, then you will need to set up networking on the client and mount the drive, giving it a drive letter. Click on filtrix.exe--its name should appear in the filename box--and click Open. The full path and filename should now appear in the command line box of the Create Shortcut window. Click Next, renaming the icon if you wish, and click Finish. A new icon will now be on the desktop. Double clicking it will run Filtrix from the network as long as you are connected to the network.

Filtrix typically comes as a single user license, which is the format we place at our FTP site. It allows a single conversion to occur at a time. If more conversions than licenses are attempted from the GUI, Filtrix will wait for the license to be freed, then begin converting. The typical advantages of installing on a server also apply to Filtrix. Only disk space for one copy is needed, which also means only backup of one copy. Only one copy needs to be upgraded when you upgrade. The disadvantages are also the same: Execution, specifically loading, of the app is slower because of network speeds, and the network needs to be running for Filtrix to run.

Does the Filtrix license ever expire?

How are non-compatible features supported during conversions?

Filtrix does the best it can, but it cannot create new features in target formats.

Here are some examples of how Filtrix deals with non-compatible issues:

• Microdocs in Interleaf are not supported in Word for Windows, but Filtrix will break up the lines and align them as well as possible in WMF graphic frames.
  
• Master pages in FrameMaker are not supported in Word for Windows, but headers and footers are approximated by the location of the data in the Frame master page.

Why did Filtrix delete data from my FrameMaker master page?

If the conversion loses data that were defined on a FrameMaker master page:

A. Any master page data found in the upper 3" of the page is treated as header data and any data found in the bottom 3" of the page is treated as footer data.
B. Under most conditions, any data found between these two header/footer markers will not be converted. EXCEPTION: When a body page identifies a master page and the body page is determined to be empty, Filtrix will translate the entire master page.

Why did Filtrix delete graphic objects from my FrameMaker document?

All body page graphic data that are anchored to a frame will be converted according to our supported graphic features. After analyzing the structure of each body page, Filtrix may not be able to convert individual, unanchored graphic objects unless the entire body page comprises graphic data alone. Otherwise, Filtrix discards the isolated graphic objects in favor of the document text found on the page.

What does this error mean: Not enough memory or command not found.

For UNIX, Filtrix cannot find the executable files. Make sure the environmental variable for FXHOME is set properly to the directory that contains the actual executable commands.

For Windows, check for TSRs (Terminate and Stay Resident programs) that can be removed, or add memory.

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