Is FrameMaker 2022 going to be an automatic update to those subscribing to FM 2020?

[FrameMaker-dk]

I can't figure out whether FrameMaker 2022 is going to be an automatic update, which will be pushed out to 2020 subscribers, once it is released? Anybody who knows it?

Bjørn

[LinSims]

That's how it works with the CC subscription.

[Jeff_Coatsworth · Accepted solution]

I don't think it's ever been an "automatic" update in TCS subscription-land; it just becomes available for you to download & install AFAIK.

[FrameMaker-dk]

No, there was never an automatic update, but things have changed a lot with FrameMaker and I would expect that the "new" subscription mode would mean that the 2022 update would be pushed out. I wonder what we can expect from that revision...

[Barb Binder]

You probably already know this—but for others who may read this thread—you can see what's new in the Fall 2022 release by attending the launch event on October 11.

https://adobe-special-event-fall-2022.meetus.adobeevents.com/

~Barb

[FrameMaker-dk]

Thanks. Yes I knew. Regarding the original question... are we sure that is the right answer?

[Barb Binder]

Ha. Are we ever 100% sure about anything? 😉

I will unmark it if you would like... just let me know. We moderators on the Fm forum have a tendency to leave answers unmarked even when confirmed correct by the OP (but not marked by the OP). And unlike the other forums where I participate, Adobe staff does not make periodic sweeps to mark answers correct. Every forum has its own personality and habits and that's just what happens here. I am personally trying to remember to mark answers that I believe to be correct when I see them.

I feel confident in marking @Jeff_Coatsworth's answer as correct, based in part on this sentence from the Adobe website, on the FrameMaker subscription FAQ page:

Your subscription includes access to current and future versions of the Adobe technical communication application as long as your subscription remains active.

As per @LinSims, on the Creative Cloud side—where we went to the subscription model 10 years ago—with each major upgrade, we get an automatic notification that the new release is available but it's not an automatic installation nor does it remove older versions. 

~Barb

[LinSims]

Generally speaking, Frame has always notified me when there's an update or an upgrade to install. Beyond that, so long as you maintain your subscription then you can update/upgrade at will once they're released.

CC does much the same (once you fiddle the settings): lets you know if an update/upgrade is available and gives you the option of installing it or not. For example, I'm still using Photoshop 22.4 because later versions changed how you apply layer masks to remove backgrounds (or where it was or how it was named, I forget) and I found that too confusing (it is not in any way my primary program).

CC does let you set things up to auto update. I turned that off. FM, as far as I know, has always required you to ask for and install the update. It is not pushed.

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Hi Bjørn:

I went ahead and reached out to TCS support in this and received the following answer:

There is no automatic update that happens for FrameMaker/RoboHelp/Technical Communication Suite. Once the release is available, a user has to download and install the new build manually.

So now, finally, I'm sure. LOL  😊

~Barb

[FrameMaker-dk]

Thanks @Barb Binder! Kind of you to reach out to the TCS fellows.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

AFAIK, that's pretty much the way it's been for any major release.

I wish the TCS had a uniform installer like the Creative Cloud app, or the TCS got added to the CC app if on the same system/account.

[LinSims]

But, that would be convenient!

[K.Daube]

Such an automatic update would restrict me to have only the latest version installed. Currently I can start either FM-15.xxx, FM-16.xxx or even FM-17.xxx - A must vor comparing what has really been fixed or what has been ruined again (yes, this happens all to often).

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

If Adobe followed the same pattern as the Creative Cloud app, one can auto-update or not, and the option to keep old versions or not. 

[LinSims]

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. Are you saying you literally have separate directories for each version of each release, as in Adobe FrameMaker 2020.16.0.4.1940, or Adobe FrameMaker 2020.16.0.4.1062. (or whatever that version number was)?

For me, each new release of FM (as in, 15, 16, and now 17) has always installed in a separate directory. So my folders are:

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe FrameMaker 2020
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe FrameMaker 2022

It isn't separate directories for each version, but it is for each major release.

(NB: FM 2019 isn't there now because I got a new computer.)

[K.Daube]

Lin, You do it the same way as I do: each version (8, …14 (2017), 15 (2019), etc, are in their own subdirectory, for example:

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.8en

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.12de 

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.12en        

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.13en\AdobeFrameMaker2015 → first one insisting on subdir Adobe…

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.14de\Adobe FrameMaker 2017

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.15en\Adobe FrameMaker 2019

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.16en\Adobe FrameMaker 2020

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.16enβ\Adobe FrameMaker 2020

H:\Adobe\FrameMaker.17en\Adobe FrameMaker 2022