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DITA

The friendly guide to the scope, format, and type attributes in DITA

In testing one day, I was running a set of sample content through the DITA-OT, and much to my consternation, the build was succeeding, but generating no content. The error log helped to ferret out the source of the problem; the preprocessor was attempting to extract a linktext and navtitle from an image file that could not be found.

The image in question was a keyref pulled in from a map referenced in the main map file. Everything validated, previews showed the images resolving correctly, yet the images steadfastly refused to be pulled in during preprocessing—so what was wrong?

Jake Campbell
August 24, 2015
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Structured content

Tech comm skills: writing ability, technical aptitude, tool proficiency, and business sense

Technical Writing is only about what software you know! Is that why every where I read any type of document, web page, or article it is FULL of misspellings, incorrect punctuation, and horrible formatting?!!

That’s what started a thread on LinkedIn that encapsulates long-running debates on the skill sets technical writers need. (The thread was removed from LinkedIn sometime after Friday, unfortunately.)

Alan Pringle
August 17, 2015
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Industry insights Personalization Structured content

Design versus automation: a strategic approach to content

Design and automation are often positioned as mutually exclusive–you have to choose one or the other. But in fact, it’s possible to deliver content in an automated workflow that uses a stellar design. To succeed, you need a designer who can work with styles, templates, and other building blocks instead of ad hoc formatting.

More content across more devices requires scalability–and that means more automation. A strategic approach to content needs to incorporate both design and automation as constraints and find the right balance between the two.

Sarah O'Keefe
August 10, 2015
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DITA

Making metadata in DITA work for you

Metadata is one of the most important factors in making the most of your DITA XML-based content environment. Whether you’re converting legacy content into DITA or creating new structured content, it’s important to know what metadata (or data about data) your files will keep track of and why. Coming up with a plan for using metadata can be tricky, so here are some tips to make the process easier.

Gretyl Kinsey
August 6, 2015
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Localization

Localization: are you the weakest link?

There is an old proverb that says, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” While many of the links in the chain could be quite strong, it only takes one weak link to break the chain. There is one process chain in particular where this proverb rings true: localization. However, more often than not, little or nothing is done to identify and strengthen the weakest link in that process.

Bill Swallow
July 13, 2015
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Brand credibility Content pitfalls Content silos Structured content Webinar

Webcast: Risky business: the challenge of content silos

In this webcast recording, Sarah O’Keefe discusses how content silos make it difficult to deliver a consistent, excellent customer experience. After all the hard work that goes into landing a customer, too many organizations destroy the customer’s initial goodwill with mediocre installation instructions and terrible customer support.

Do you have a unified customer experience? Do you know what your various content creators are producing? Join us for this thought-provoking webcast.

Sarah O'Keefe
June 25, 2015
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Localization

Localization, scalability, and consistency

When companies need to change the way they’re producing content, localization and scalability can be two of the biggest motivating factors. If your company’s content is not consistent, you may face significant challenges with translating it into new languages or distributing it via new platforms. A content strategy that embraces consistency and emphasizes planning for the future will help your company navigate these changes more smoothly.

Things have changed since we wrote this! Check out the latest post here with new insights from our team.

Gretyl Kinsey
June 23, 2015
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