[austechwriter] Re: XML - bringing it together
- From: Peter Rule <p_ruleau@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2003 09:10:09 +1000 (EST)
AuthorIT is fine for what it is (even good), but its not an XML
tool/environment.
From what you have said Andrea, what you really want is a structured publishing
platform like FrameMaker. Frame is not the best sgml/xml platform going around
and it has its limitations but it is probably the most (reasonably) economical
and it is very powerful.
You can implement exisitng structured DTDs like DocBook (which ships with
Frame) or develop your own (better, but not for the faint hearted). You'll
have an excellent platform to create online, paper versions from the one source
etc. as well as a thoroughly robust system that you can trust.
BUT ... implementing a structured authoring system is a major investment and
if your organisation thinks it can just say "OK lets do all our docs in xml"
without following this up with resources (time, tools, people, training) then
you will be better off buying a tool like AuthorIT and using that (or sticking
with Word). You have to be realistic about this; you can't half do it.
If you do want to implement a structured authoring system you will do well to
do some training and link up with a company like Allette Systems in Sydney (no
personal commercial connection, though I am working with them on my current
contract), or I believe ADG (?) in Brisbane who specialise in setting these
types of systems up.
I'm in the middle of setting up just the type of system you are talking about
and let me tell you it is far from straight forward but ultimately very
rewarding. Frame is a pleasure to work with, and structure frame is even
better.
Feel free to contact me off-list if you want more info etc.
Peter
ps forget Word as an xml editor; just don't go there.
Sonja McShane <Sonja_McShane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Andrea,
Maybe you could do something with AuthorIT?
http://www.author-it.com/index.mv
Sonja
-----Original Message-----
From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Andrea Tappe
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 4:15 PM
To: Austechwriter Group (E-mail)
Subject: [austechwriter] XML - bringing it together
Hi there,
Couple of weeks ago, I was told that QSR is moving to XML and could I =
produce XML documents from now on? I'm starting to think that the answer =
may be no. I've done an introductory course (Melb CAE) and ploughed =
through a stack of reading, so I have a fair grasp on how to apply and =
create XML tags, how to link an XML doc to a spreadsheet etc.
Problem is, I just don't know how to go about bringing the whole deal =
together to create online help, paper docco (manuals and marketing) and =
web content, all of which will need to be translated into at least one =
foreign language in the near future. Trying to pre-empt the most obvious =
questions:
* I've searched the Austechwriter archives and checked out all the =
relevant links.
* We are using Microsoft Word - apparently the version in Office 2003 is =
an XML editor. The beta version is an XML editor which doesn't appear to =
accept W3C compliant schemas, and it doesn't ship with any schemas, =
stylesheets etc of its own. Use of Word is not negotiable (I've tried! I =
want XMLSpy!).
Already been through:
* www.w3.org
* Microsoft's XML articles on their website (not MSDN) - I was hoping to =
find something which would tell me whether or not they are W3C compliant =
or not.=20
* www.thescarms.com had some handy tutorials, as did
* http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp
Anyone who has any hints, tips or suggestions - let me know! I'm even =
prepared to consider approaching the boss to hire someone as a =
consultant to help me get started.
Thanks and regards
Andrea Tappe
Technical Writer/Webmaster
QSR International Pty Ltd
613 9840 4939 (ph)
613 9840 1500 (fax)
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