Rebranding as a business case for XML
Reuse and automated formatting are the most common justifications for XML, but recently, we have heard a new reason from several customers: rebranding.
Dita
From tech writer to DITA superhero
In the world of superheroes, technical writers could just slide down a pole or do a clandestine spin to transform themselves into DITA technologists. Of course, nothing is that easy, so what does the transformation from tech writer to DITA superhero really require?
The politics of DITA
Deciding on a content model is a critical step in many of our projects. Should it be DITA or something else? The answer, it seems, often has more to do with our client’s corporate culture than with actual technical requirements.
Perplexed by complex syntax: understanding syntax diagrams in DITA
What DITA elements are available for syntax diagrams? And how does one go about using them?
DITA for presentations, aka how to avoid PowerPoint
After a number of years using PowerPoint and OpenOffice/LibreOffice Impress to create slide decks, I’ve grown frustrated with the enforced separation of information in PowerPoint-like products.
Perils of DITA publishing, part 8: PDF Acrobatics, revisited
A few weeks ago, I described some of the issues we faced in producing a PDF of Content Strategy 101 from DITA sources. Time and space didn’t permit me to finish the list of changes out. Now I can.
Perils of DITA publishing, part 7: the displeasures of distributing ebooks
In which we uncover some unpleasant realities about distributing ebook editions.
Perils of DITA publishing, part 6: EPUB and Kindle
In which we jump through flaming hoops for EPUB and Kindle.
Perils of DITA publishing, part 4: PDF acrobatics
In which we bend PDF publishing to our will. Eventually.
Webcast: To DITA or not to DITA
In this webcast recording, guests Alyssa Fox (NetIQ) and Toni Mantych (ADP) discuss their differing DITA implementation decisions.
Perils of DITA publishing, part 3: Indexing
In which we are boxed in by the limitations of DITA indexing support.
Perils of DITA publishing, part 2: Graphics
In which we build assorted graphics and develop style guidelines.
Perils of DITA publishing, part 1: Writing
In which we develop narrative content in a modular architecture.
Webcast: DITA 101
In this webcast recording, Sarah O’Keefe gives an overview of DITA, one of the major structured authoring standards in tech comm. You’ll also learn about DITA concepts, the business case for DITA, and typical scenarios where DITA is used.
Encoding context-sensitive help information in DITA reltables
The problem: DITA does not provide a default mechanism for encoding context-sensitive help information. This article discusses a new approach that avoids specialization and provides a maintainable approach for context-sensitive help mapping.
Design isn’t free
The mantra of XML is that you separate content from formatting. Authors do content; formatting happens later. During a panel discussion at last week’s (excellent) UA Europe conference, I realized that this is only half the story.
Vendor webcast: An overview of authoring DITA with oXygen
In this webcast recording, George Bina shows you how to create DITA content from zero to a full deliverable using oXygen. The full deliverable leads to multiple publishing formats.
Webcast: Transition to XML
Simon Bate provides a planning framework for implementing an XML-based structured authoring environment.
Vendor webcast: Collaborative content development with easyDITA
Paul Wlodarczyk shows how cloud-based tools like easyDITA can change the way you approach collaboration, and in turn speed your time to publish and simplify your work process.
DITA reporting tools in oXygen
Need some basic metrics on your DITA files? Wondering whether your topics are the right length or not? Check out this new feature in oXygen version 13.
Drink me: starting small like Alice
“What a curious feeling!” said Alice; “I must be shutting up like a telescope.”
And so it was indeed: she was now only ten inches high, and her face brightened up at the thought that she was now the right size for going though the little door into that lovely garden.
Lewis Carroll in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Orthodoxy versus nuance
Simple answers are appealing and are easy to remember. [Refrain from gratuitous political joke here, mostly.] But the real world is full of complex issues that are not easily reduced to soundbites. This also applies to technical communication and XML adoption.
The economics of information
The slides from my tekom/tcworld session on the economics of information are below.
