• Introduction
• Base module
• Data formatting
• PostScript pagination
• Mailbox
• Syndication
• Internet Delivery Module

Product Overview - Base Module

Message Input

News agency copy is normally received in any wire format - ANPA, IPTC, IATA and IIM. Any non-standard format service can be received using a parameter-driven program defined by the user. Incoming files can be any number of bits from 5 to 16 or variable for binary files.

Editorial system interfaces

The user can configure this program to tailor messages for the editorial system depending on where they came from and how they are formatted. Tables are available for Adobe® Indesign/Incopy based systems, Quark® QPS based systems, Atex® J11 systems, SII®., CSI®., CCI®. DTI®, P.ink®., Tera®. and a whole host of other Quark®. or PC-based editorial systems.

Incoming message distribution

Incoming messages are routed automatically according to the header of the article. All header fields are available for routing. Different messages from the same source can be treated differently - TV lists for example can be formatted and typeset directly while TV text files are routed to the main editorial computer.

Each file can be routed to more than one destination. This can be used for those sites that need to duplicate wires for different publications running on different systems or where senior editors are notified when high priority traffic arrives or where specialists require a duplicate of specific story types in their personal queue.

Outgoing copy distribution

Each outbound message can be sent to a single destination, a group of destinations or a combination of both. These destinations can be any type of output, fax, telex, mailbox, printer or broadcast news service. Security exists to stop certain types of message being sent via an inappropiate route. New and temporary lists for mass mailings are possible via fax and telex.

Text conversion

Since most publishers and information providers such as news agencies, have slightly different character sets and text formatting styles, FIP can process any text into the format required by that publication. Character set translation to and from UTF8, UTF16, CCITT No2, EBCDIC, ASCII and all their variations. Strings of characters can be substituted according to user-tables : # for 'pounds' for example. Binary files, such as typesetter files or incoming faxes, are marked as such and are passed through the system with no conversion.

System management and control

This includes starting and stopping processes, queue control, error reporting and an on-line help facility. The system is easily maintainable by system managers. For incoming services under test or with communication problems, a non-destructive line monitor shows current activity on any port. Incorrectly routed messages are intercepted for the operator to decide how to reroute, delete or otherwise process the messages. System management is available as from a command line interface, or a web based interface.

Statistics, logging and accounting

System managers can check the following :

• Traffic - what messages have passed to and from which destination
• Access - who has read which mailbox
• Failure tracking - list all failures
• Customised lists - all items of a particular type.

Archive and resend

Most incoming messages are archived in the FIP system. An option is that messages can be saved after translation and/or on output. These messages can be retrieved from the Database and routed to either the original or a new destination. Archive files can be selectively erased depending on date, service, disk size and importance. Off-line storage and file maintenance use standard Unix or NT routines.

Data redundancy inbound and outbound

Important incoming services may be duplicated on separate communication paths running into 2 different Fip Servers. FIP will automatically switch from one server to another in the event of a breakdown of any part of the incoming service and revert when the service is restored. Delivery or destination redundancy is also available: the system can deliver to a primary server, only failing over to the secondary in the event of failure.

W4 web based Copy browser

for tasting and delivering both text and pictures. ALso web based system management and control.

Other services

Printer spooler with abstract option; Interfaces for other PC, Mac or Unix-based traffic.

Notes and Comments

Please leave your name and a contact email address ..... We need demo version to show our customer. Prasad Rao vrao@quark.com

-- TWikiGuest? - 10 Jan 2006

Hi,

How are you?. I hope that everything goes well with you. Actually, we have been working with Fingerpost for three years. We have CCI as our editorial System. Nowadays, we have a new IT manager in production area who asked to make a little presentation about the options that we have with FIP for solving others kind of problems in our company. I don’t know if you had any conceptual presentation where I can get that...

Best regards.