Illuminations
In this issue:
- New white paper: Creating PDF files from DITA content
- Liberty, equality, technology
- More webinars ahead
- Registration open for JustSystem webinars
- Last classes of 2009
New white paper: Creating PDF files from DITA content
There are several ways to create PDF output from DITA content, and each method has its own trade-offs for ease of use, automation, sophistication of layout, and costs. How do you decide which one is best for you?
Scriptorium's latest white paper, Creating PDF files from DITA content, explains and evaluates the PDF-producing capabilities of several tools and technologies that support DITA, including XSL-FO, FrameMaker, Arbortext, MadCap Flare, XMetaL, and more.
Read in HTML or download the PDF file (540 KB, 22 pages)
Liberty, equality, technology
Last year, Scriptorium freed its FrameMaker workbook content and turned it into a FrameMaker wiki. Now we're liberating our technical references and offering them as free white papers. Download, read, and print to your heart's content:
Hacking the DITA Open Toolkit
Read in HTML, or download the PDF file (435 KB, 19 pages).
FrameMaker 8 and DITA Technical Reference
Download the PDF file (5 MB, 55 pages).
More webinars ahead
Prep your online calendars, mobile devices, and old-fashioned pen-and-paper planners, because Scriptorium has added two new webinars to the fall schedule:
Demystifying DITA to PDF Publishing (September 10, 11 a.m. Eastern time)
Learn about your options for creating PDF output from DITA content. Includes comparison of DITA Open Toolkit, FrameMaker, and InDesign approaches.
What Do Movable Type and XML Have in Common? (September 22, 11 a.m. Eastern time)
The invention of movable type changed the economics of information, making the process of copying a book by hand obsolete. More than 500 years later, XML seems to be doing the same to desktop publishing. But where movable type changed the economics of a mechanical process—creating printed copies—XML changes the economics of content authoring, formatting, and customization.
For $20, you get an hour-long presentation that includes 15 minutes of Q&A with an industry expert. Attendees also receive a free recording of the session.
If you can't attend a webinar but would still like to view the presentation, you can purchase a recording for $20. You can find previously recorded webinars in our online store.
Registration open for JustSystem webinars
Registration has opened for two free webinars hosted by JustSystems and presented by Scriptorium's Simon Bate. Both these webinars address the age-old dilemma of converting legacy content into DITA:
- Converting Unstructured FrameMaker to DITA (August 25, 2 p.m. Eastern time)
- Converting Microsoft Word to DITA (September 1, 2 p.m. Eastern time)
The third webinar in the series, Getting Started with Reuse, is scheduled on September 17 at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Check our blog for information about registration, which will open about three weeks before the event.
Last classes of 2009
Make the most of XML, DITA, and XSL to improve your publishing workflow. Register now for the last structured authoring classes of the year.
- XML and Structured Authoring (November 2–5)
- XSL in Publishing (November 16–20)
- Introduction to DITA and XMetaL (December 1–4)
Scriptorium also offers a full range of FrameMaker courses on the unstructured and structured interfaces.
For information about private, on-site, or web-based training, see our training options page. If you have any questions, contact training@scriptorium.com, or call 919-481-2701.
Comments? Questions?
We welcome your suggestions for newsletter topics. Drop us a line at comments@scriptorium.com.
If you know colleagues who could benefit from our services, please let them know about us. They can also contact info@scriptorium.com.