This is how I've done it:
1. Learn topic-based authoring, for example by taking some classes in
structured writing or Information Mapping (IMAP).
2. Design Frame templates that support topic-based authoring.
3. Learn XML, at least XML for authors (not XML for developers).
4. Learn DITA and download and install the DITA Application Pack for
FrameMaker 7.2.
5. Write a "paradigm shift guide" (which is what I'm doing now):
you'll have to start thinking in terms of elements and attributes, not
styles (or paragraph tags). The idea of my paradigm shift guide is to list
and describe all the "components" (paragraph tags, variables, condition
tags, table tags etc.) in my unstructured FrameMaker template and relate
them to their respective DITA counterparts (if possible). For example, my
template has the styles "cellheading" and "cellbody" for text in tables. In
DITA, you just have the element <stentry> for this purpose. The formatting
(style) of the element <stentry> depends on its position: in body cells, it
will use the style "table.cell.body"; in heading cells, it will use "
table.cell.head.left". Another example: my unstructured template has
the character tag "control", which I used in software manuals to refer to
text of "user controls", such as menu commands, dialog box titles, button
names etc. And, lo and behold, DITA has the element <uicontrol> for this
purpose. So I changed the name of the character tag "control" to "uicontrol"
in my unstructured Frame template. People who use my unstructured Frame
template are already familiar with "uicontrol" and they immediately
understand the meaning and usage of the DITA <uicontrol> element.
Hope this helps a bit.
Good luck
--
Yves Barbion
Documentation Architect
Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
____________________________________
_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to Framers as [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Send list messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To unsubscribe send a blank email to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
or visit
http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/archive%40mail-archive.com
Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit
http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
