Re: Help with Docbook

[eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com]

Jan Henning <henning -at- r-l -dot- de> wrote on 07/24/2003 01:26:39 PM:

> However, with XML you have three potential advantages over proprietary
> formats such as Word and FrameMaker:

> - The definition is completely open. This is not true for the standard
> binary FM and Word formats, although it is true for MIF and, I guess,
> RTF.

> - The definition is extensible.

> - There are tools that understand the principles of XML and can be
> adapted with little effort to your particular advantages.

But as soon as you implement a specific XML instance for use in a given
process, all three advantages evaporate and you're back in the same world
as FM-Word if you want to connect two systems or migrate to a new one. The
only advantage is that you yourself can tackle the monumental task of
making the conversion and don't have to fork over huge dollars to Adobe or
M$.

But then again, the existence of ridiculously priced XML-SGML systems and
consultants blows that last argument right out of the water. :P

 Eric L. Dunn



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