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Re: XML-based Help Authoring tools for customized help
Subject:Re: XML-based Help Authoring tools for customized help From:eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 11 Dec 2003 12:34:17 -0500
"Mark Baker" <listsub -at- analecta -dot- com> wrote on 12/11/2003 12:08:24 PM:
> I am a strong believer in a rigorously lean approach to markup that is focused
entirely on author
> needs and author productivity. That, after all, is what this is really all
about.
I'm in complete agreement. Starting from a standard solution and then
customising (or even leaning it down) can be an expensive proposition. Just look
at all the various ATA solutions. Tens of thousands of dollars for tools and
processes to lean down and simplify the generalised approach.
I'd treat Docbook as an EXCHANGE medium. The true strength of XML is that the
semantics are well defined making mapping from one structure to the other
easier. THAT's the reason you want XML. Not so that everyone and their mother
are using the same DTD and process.
The problem with proprietary database systems and DTP tools is NOT that everyone
isn't using the same tables and templates, it's that migrating from one tool to
another is complicated by no commonly defined middle exchange mechanism or
language.
RoboHelp for FrameMaker is a NEW online publishing tool for FrameMaker that
lets you easily single-source content to online Help, intranet, and Web.
The interface is designed for FrameMaker users, so there is little or no
learning curve and no macro language required! Call 800-718-4407 for
competitive pricing or download a trial at: http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l4
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