RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS
Hi Gordon, If you want to publish instantly, you'll probably have to build something or pay somebody lots of $$$ to customize something else. There is a conspicuous absence of off-the-shelf, dynamic publishing systems that also support multichannel publishing. There are things like Wiki pages which are good for quick publishing and revision management, but they certainly lack the information management and layout features that a professional techcommer would demand. I've done something similar to what you suggest, albiet with a fair amount of effort. We had a need to publish PDF manuals at normal release intervals as always, but there was also a need to view the current information in real time, as products were being developed. The ultimate solution uses FrameMaker to author the content in XML and produce the PDFs from it. On the web side, we built a Java-based publishing system that takes the same XML and delivers it over a website, making heavy use of XSLT. This is an example of an end-to-end system that works very well and was worth every second we put into it, but it certainly isn't something you can just go out and buy. We don't use DITA or a CMS. There is unlimited potential to do cool things if you have the will. And, you don't necessarily need DITA or a CMS to make amazing things happen, but you may find that one and/or the other turns out to be the best solution. Russ Message: 3 Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:52:55 - From: Gordon McLean [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii DITA isn't a publishing standard, it's a content structure standard I thought. Perhaps I need to state my question more clearly. Does anyone have an example of all the applications (names!) used in an end to end publishing system that is based on XML single source (DITA is a bit of a red herring I guess, it's a standard, not an application). I know FrameMaker 8 supports DITA, and I'll be evaluating that soon (I presume it handles the transformation from XML to 'FM editable' and back?). But what CMS are people using? And what publishing engines? Webworks? Or something from the DITA Open Toolkit? I'm wary of getting sucked into a proprietary path, and also of having an overly complex build system (ultimately we want to publish on a schedule as well as instantly to a website). I've visited and read up on a lot of vendor propositions, and I'm aware that consultancies will have favoured solutions, so I'm asking the Framers for THEIR recommendations if they have such a system in place. Gordon ___ 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.
RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS
Thanks Russ, and everyone else who has responded. It's good to get confirmation that we'll need to head down the bespoke custom path for now. Although I'd challenge the vendors to come up with the goods ASAP. There is obviously a need for SOMETHING in the market.. Gordon -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 13 March 2008 12:02 To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Subject: RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS Hi Gordon, If you want to publish instantly, you'll probably have to build something or pay somebody lots of $$$ to customize something else. There is a conspicuous absence of off-the-shelf, dynamic publishing systems that also support multichannel publishing. There are things like Wiki pages which are good for quick publishing and revision management, but they certainly lack the information management and layout features that a professional techcommer would demand. I've done something similar to what you suggest, albiet with a fair amount of effort. We had a need to publish PDF manuals at normal release intervals as always, but there was also a need to view the current information in real time, as products were being developed. The ultimate solution uses FrameMaker to author the content in XML and produce the PDFs from it. On the web side, we built a Java-based publishing system that takes the same XML and delivers it over a website, making heavy use of XSLT. This is an example of an end-to-end system that works very well and was worth every second we put into it, but it certainly isn't something you can just go out and buy. We don't use DITA or a CMS. There is unlimited potential to do cool things if you have the will. And, you don't necessarily need DITA or a CMS to make amazing things happen, but you may find that one and/or the other turns out to be the best solution. Russ Message: 3 Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:52:55 - From: Gordon McLean [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS To: framers@lists.frameusers.com Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii DITA isn't a publishing standard, it's a content structure standard I thought. Perhaps I need to state my question more clearly. Does anyone have an example of all the applications (names!) used in an end to end publishing system that is based on XML single source (DITA is a bit of a red herring I guess, it's a standard, not an application). I know FrameMaker 8 supports DITA, and I'll be evaluating that soon (I presume it handles the transformation from XML to 'FM editable' and back?). But what CMS are people using? And what publishing engines? Webworks? Or something from the DITA Open Toolkit? I'm wary of getting sucked into a proprietary path, and also of having an overly complex build system (ultimately we want to publish on a schedule as well as instantly to a website). I've visited and read up on a lot of vendor propositions, and I'm aware that consultancies will have favoured solutions, so I'm asking the Framers for THEIR recommendations if they have such a system in place. Gordon ___ 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/gordon.mclean%40grahamte chnology.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com ___ 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
RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS
Hi Gordon, Have a look at www.Doczone.com for an end-to-end solution (hosted cms), but not specially linked to FrameMaker. Or Sibersafe http://www.siberlogic.com/sibersafe/. Vriendelijke groet, Wim Hooghwinkel International DTP DTP and Documentation Consultancy tel. +31652036811 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.idtp.eu ___ 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.
Re: FrameMaker DITA and CMS unclassified
LBS's (now PTC) AcquiRed is worth looking at for your CMS side of things. Richard Gordon McLean wrote: I'm currently evaluating a variety of tools and solutions with an aim to moving the team to some form of single source process. We have looked at, and like, DITA, and will be using that as the basis for our content. However trying to find an end-to-end solution is proving hard, or perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places? My belief is we need a database (CMS) to hold the content (as XML chunks), an editing application (FrameMaker?) as well as a set of rules to transform the XML into something editable (or we get an XML editor like... XMetal?). We then need publishing engines to convert the XML to PDF, JavaHelp, HTML etc. Ohh and we need to maintain three different versions (releases) of the documentation set. The DITA side I've done a lot of research on, we have the beginnings of an Information Model and have planned out how we will specialise the schema for our own use. It's the tooling side that seems wide open. I've looked at the Open Toolkit but (and this may be a strange admission for a TECHNICAL writer) it's a little heavy on the tech side. So, in short, I'm looking for any/all recommendations in this area. If you have a DITA based publishing system in place, with version control, I'd love to hear about it! Gordon P.S. This is not an excuse for vendors to cold call me! The data contained in, or attached to, this e-mail, may contain confidential information. If you have received it in error you should notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail, delete the message from your system and contact +44 (0) 1332 242424 (the Rolls-Royce IT Security Director) if you need assistance. Please do not copy it for any purpose, or disclose its contents to any other person. An e-mail response to this address may be subject to interception or monitoring for operational reasons or for lawful business practices. (c) 2008 Rolls-Royce plc Registered office: 65 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AT Company number: 1003142. Registered in England. ___ 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.
FrameMaker DITA and CMS
Hi Gordon, If you want to publish instantly, you'll probably have to build something or pay somebody lots of $$$ to customize something else. There is a conspicuous absence of off-the-shelf, dynamic publishing systems that also support multichannel publishing. There are things like Wiki pages which are good for quick publishing and revision management, but they certainly lack the information management and layout features that a professional techcommer would demand. I've done something similar to what you suggest, albiet with a fair amount of effort. We had a need to publish PDF manuals at normal release intervals as always, but there was also a need to view the current information in real time, as products were being developed. The ultimate solution uses FrameMaker to author the content in XML and produce the PDFs from it. On the web side, we built a Java-based publishing system that takes the same XML and delivers it over a website, making heavy use of XSLT. This is an example of an end-to-end system that works very well and was worth every second we put into it, but it certainly isn't something you can just go out and buy. We don't use DITA or a CMS. There is unlimited potential to do cool things if you have the will. And, you don't necessarily need DITA or a CMS to make amazing things happen, but you may find that one and/or the other turns out to be the best solution. Russ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Message: 3 Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:52:55 - From: "Gordon McLean" <gordon.mcl...@grahamtechnology.com> Subject: RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS To: Message-ID: <000301c88426$d87885a0$61284d0a at devtestpub.inchinnan.grahamtech.co.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" DITA isn't a publishing standard, it's a content structure standard I thought. Perhaps I need to state my question more clearly. Does anyone have an example of all the applications (names!) used in an end to end publishing system that is based on XML single source (DITA is a bit of a red herring I guess, it's a standard, not an application). I know FrameMaker 8 supports DITA, and I'll be evaluating that soon (I presume it handles the transformation from XML to 'FM editable' and back?). But what CMS are people using? And what publishing engines? Webworks? Or something from the DITA Open Toolkit? I'm wary of getting sucked into a proprietary path, and also of having an overly complex build system (ultimately we want to publish on a schedule as well as instantly to a website). I've visited and read up on a lot of vendor propositions, and I'm aware that consultancies will have favoured solutions, so I'm asking the Framers for THEIR recommendations if they have such a system in place. Gordon >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FrameMaker DITA and CMS
Thanks Russ, and everyone else who has responded. It's good to get confirmation that we'll need to head down the bespoke custom path for now. Although I'd challenge the vendors to come up with the goods ASAP. There is obviously a need for SOMETHING in the market.. Gordon -Original Message- From: framers-boun...@lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of russ at weststreetconsulting.com Sent: 13 March 2008 12:02 To: framers at lists.frameusers.com Subject: RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS Hi Gordon, If you want to publish instantly, you'll probably have to build something or pay somebody lots of $$$ to customize something else. There is a conspicuous absence of off-the-shelf, dynamic publishing systems that also support multichannel publishing. There are things like Wiki pages which are good for quick publishing and revision management, but they certainly lack the information management and layout features that a professional techcommer would demand. I've done something similar to what you suggest, albiet with a fair amount of effort. We had a need to publish PDF manuals at normal release intervals as always, but there was also a need to view the current information in real time, as products were being developed. The ultimate solution uses FrameMaker to author the content in XML and produce the PDFs from it. On the web side, we built a Java-based publishing system that takes the same XML and delivers it over a website, making heavy use of XSLT. This is an example of an end-to-end system that works very well and was worth every second we put into it, but it certainly isn't something you can just go out and buy. We don't use DITA or a CMS. There is unlimited potential to do cool things if you have the will. And, you don't necessarily need DITA or a CMS to make amazing things happen, but you may find that one and/or the other turns out to be the best solution. Russ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Message: 3 Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:52:55 - From: "Gordon McLean" <gordon.mcl...@grahamtechnology.com> Subject: RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS To: Message-ID: <000301c88426$d87885a0$61284d0a at devtestpub.inchinnan.grahamtech.co.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" DITA isn't a publishing standard, it's a content structure standard I thought. Perhaps I need to state my question more clearly. Does anyone have an example of all the applications (names!) used in an end to end publishing system that is based on XML single source (DITA is a bit of a red herring I guess, it's a standard, not an application). I know FrameMaker 8 supports DITA, and I'll be evaluating that soon (I presume it handles the transformation from XML to 'FM editable' and back?). But what CMS are people using? And what publishing engines? Webworks? Or something from the DITA Open Toolkit? I'm wary of getting sucked into a proprietary path, and also of having an overly complex build system (ultimately we want to publish on a schedule as well as instantly to a website). I've visited and read up on a lot of vendor propositions, and I'm aware that consultancies will have favoured solutions, so I'm asking the Framers for THEIR recommendations if they have such a system in place. Gordon >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ___ You are currently subscribed to Framers as Gordon.McLean at grahamtechnology.com. Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. To unsubscribe send a blank email to framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/gordon.mclean%40grahamte chnology.com Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com
FrameMaker DITA and CMS
Hi Gordon, Have a look at www.Doczone.com for an end-to-end solution (hosted cms), but not specially linked to FrameMaker. Or Sibersafe http://www.siberlogic.com/sibersafe/. Vriendelijke groet, Wim Hooghwinkel International DTP DTP and Documentation Consultancy tel. +31652036811 info at idtp.eu www.idtp.eu
FrameMaker DITA and CMS unclassified
LBS's (now PTC) AcquiRed is worth looking at for your CMS side of things. Richard Gordon McLean wrote: > I'm currently evaluating a variety of tools and solutions with an aim to > moving the team to some form of single source process. > > We have looked at, and like, DITA, and will be using that as the basis for > our content. > > However trying to find an end-to-end solution is proving hard, or perhaps > I'm looking in the wrong places? > > My belief is we need a database (CMS) to hold the content (as XML chunks), > an editing application (FrameMaker?) as well as a set of rules to transform > the XML into something editable (or we get an XML editor like... XMetal?). > We then need publishing engines to convert the XML to PDF, JavaHelp, HTML > etc. > > Ohh and we need to maintain three different versions (releases) of the > documentation set. > > The DITA side I've done a lot of research on, we have the beginnings of an > Information Model and have planned out how we will specialise the schema for > our own use. > > It's the tooling side that seems wide open. I've looked at the Open Toolkit > but (and this may be a strange admission for a TECHNICAL writer) it's a > little heavy on the tech side. > > So, in short, I'm looking for any/all recommendations in this area. If you > have a DITA based publishing system in place, with version control, I'd love > to hear about it! > > Gordon > > P.S. This is not an excuse for vendors to cold call me! > > The data contained in, or attached to, this e-mail, may contain confidential information. If you have received it in error you should notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail, delete the message from your system and contact +44 (0) 1332 242424 (the Rolls-Royce IT Security Director) if you need assistance. Please do not copy it for any purpose, or disclose its contents to any other person. An e-mail response to this address may be subject to interception or monitoring for operational reasons or for lawful business practices. (c) 2008 Rolls-Royce plc Registered office: 65 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AT Company number: 1003142. Registered in England.
FrameMaker DITA and CMS
I'm currently evaluating a variety of tools and solutions with an aim to moving the team to some form of single source process. We have looked at, and like, DITA, and will be using that as the basis for our content. However trying to find an end-to-end solution is proving hard, or perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places? My belief is we need a database (CMS) to hold the content (as XML chunks), an editing application (FrameMaker?) as well as a set of rules to transform the XML into something editable (or we get an XML editor like... XMetal?). We then need publishing engines to convert the XML to PDF, JavaHelp, HTML etc. Ohh and we need to maintain three different versions (releases) of the documentation set. The DITA side I've done a lot of research on, we have the beginnings of an Information Model and have planned out how we will specialise the schema for our own use. It's the tooling side that seems wide open. I've looked at the Open Toolkit but (and this may be a strange admission for a TECHNICAL writer) it's a little heavy on the tech side. So, in short, I'm looking for any/all recommendations in this area. If you have a DITA based publishing system in place, with version control, I'd love to hear about it! Gordon P.S. This is not an excuse for vendors to cold call me! This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com ___ 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.
RE: FrameMaker DITA and CMS
DITA isn't a publishing standard, it's a content structure standard I thought. Perhaps I need to state my question more clearly. Does anyone have an example of all the applications (names!) used in an end to end publishing system that is based on XML single source (DITA is a bit of a red herring I guess, it's a standard, not an application). I know FrameMaker 8 supports DITA, and I'll be evaluating that soon (I presume it handles the transformation from XML to 'FM editable' and back?). But what CMS are people using? And what publishing engines? Webworks? Or something from the DITA Open Toolkit? I'm wary of getting sucked into a proprietary path, and also of having an overly complex build system (ultimately we want to publish on a schedule as well as instantly to a website). I've visited and read up on a lot of vendor propositions, and I'm aware that consultancies will have favoured solutions, so I'm asking the Framers for THEIR recommendations if they have such a system in place. Gordon -Original Message- From: Shmuel Wolfson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 12 March 2008 09:08 To: Gordon McLean Subject: Re: FrameMaker DITA and CMS You need an XML editor such as Xmetal or Structured Frame. The CMS helps for version control and knowing which chinks are used in which books. This is useful information when considering editing a chunk. DITA is a popular XML publishing standard, although there are others. There is a plug-in for structured Frame to have DITA support in Frame, and in Frame 8 it is built in. HTH Regards, Shmuel Wolfson Gordon McLean wrote: I'm currently evaluating a variety of tools and solutions with an aim to moving the team to some form of single source process. We have looked at, and like, DITA, and will be using that as the basis for our content. However trying to find an end-to-end solution is proving hard, or perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places? My belief is we need a database (CMS) to hold the content (as XML chunks), an editing application (FrameMaker?) as well as a set of rules to transform the XML into something editable (or we get an XML editor like... XMetal?). We then need publishing engines to convert the XML to PDF, JavaHelp, HTML etc. Ohh and we need to maintain three different versions (releases) of the documentation set. The DITA side I've done a lot of research on, we have the beginnings of an Information Model and have planned out how we will specialise the schema for our own use. It's the tooling side that seems wide open. I've looked at the Open Toolkit but (and this may be a strange admission for a TECHNICAL writer) it's a little heavy on the tech side. So, in short, I'm looking for any/all recommendations in this area. If you have a DITA based publishing system in place, with version control, I'd love to hear about it! Gordon P.S. This is not an excuse for vendors to cold call me! This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com ___ 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/sbw%40actcom.com Send administrative questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our
Re: FrameMaker DITA and CMS
Hi Gordon, you may want to post your questions in the dita-users and/or framemaker-dita Yahoo groups. You'll get more answers there: * http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/dita-users/ * http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/framemaker-dita/ I run a consultancy, specializing in DITA-based technical writing, but I am also a long-time Framer, so I think I can give you a couple of recommendations. This is what I'm currently using: * *Authoring*: XMetal 5 and/or FrameMaker 8 with the DITA-FMx plug-in (http://www.leximation.com/dita-fmx/) * *Publishing*: FrameMaker to PDF and the DITA Open Toolkit to xhtml, EclipseHelp and chm. I use chm2web Pro to convert the chm to webhelp (simple, fast and inexpensive). WebWorks ePublisher is the only help authoring tool (HAT) I know so far which accepts a ditamap as input. I have done some quick tests and it looks promising, but I need to do some further testing here. * *Managing DITA content*: Our technical writers use the CMS of the customers, so we don't have a CMS (yet). You may want to check out this site: http://dita.xml.org/products. Kind regards Yves Barbion Managing Director Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor Scripto Belgium Gordon McLean wrote: DITA isn't a publishing standard, it's a content structure standard I thought. Perhaps I need to state my question more clearly. Does anyone have an example of all the applications (names!) used in an end to end publishing system that is based on XML single source (DITA is a bit of a red herring I guess, it's a standard, not an application). I know FrameMaker 8 supports DITA, and I'll be evaluating that soon (I presume it handles the transformation from XML to 'FM editable' and back?). But what CMS are people using? And what publishing engines? Webworks? Or something from the DITA Open Toolkit? I'm wary of getting sucked into a proprietary path, and also of having an overly complex build system (ultimately we want to publish on a schedule as well as instantly to a website). I've visited and read up on a lot of vendor propositions, and I'm aware that consultancies will have favoured solutions, so I'm asking the Framers for THEIR recommendations if they have such a system in place. Gordon -Original Message- From: Shmuel Wolfson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 12 March 2008 09:08 To: Gordon McLean Subject: Re: FrameMaker DITA and CMS You need an XML editor such as Xmetal or Structured Frame. The CMS helps for version control and knowing which chinks are used in which books. This is useful information when considering editing a chunk. DITA is a popular XML publishing standard, although there are others. There is a plug-in for structured Frame to have DITA support in Frame, and in Frame 8 it is built in. HTH Regards, Shmuel Wolfson Gordon McLean wrote: I'm currently evaluating a variety of tools and solutions with an aim to moving the team to some form of single source process. We have looked at, and like, DITA, and will be using that as the basis for our content. However trying to find an end-to-end solution is proving hard, or perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places? My belief is we need a database (CMS) to hold the content (as XML chunks), an editing application (FrameMaker?) as well as a set of rules to transform the XML into something editable (or we get an XML editor like... XMetal?). We then need publishing engines to convert the XML to PDF, JavaHelp, HTML etc. Ohh and we need to maintain three different versions (releases) of the documentation set. The DITA side I've done a lot of research on, we have the beginnings of an Information Model and have planned out how we will specialise the schema for our own use. It's the tooling side that seems wide open. I've looked at the Open Toolkit but (and this may be a strange admission for a TECHNICAL writer) it's a little heavy on the tech side. So, in short, I'm looking for any/all recommendations in this area. If you have a DITA based publishing system in place, with version control, I'd love to hear about it! Gordon P.S. This is not an excuse for vendors to cold call me! This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author
FrameMaker DITA and CMS
I'm currently evaluating a variety of tools and solutions with an aim to moving the team to some form of single source process. We have looked at, and like, DITA, and will be using that as the basis for our content. However trying to find an end-to-end solution is proving hard, or perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places? My belief is we need a database (CMS) to hold the content (as XML chunks), an editing application (FrameMaker?) as well as a set of rules to transform the XML into something editable (or we get an XML editor like... XMetal?). We then need publishing engines to convert the XML to PDF, JavaHelp, HTML etc. Ohh and we need to maintain three different versions (releases) of the documentation set. The DITA side I've done a lot of research on, we have the beginnings of an Information Model and have planned out how we will specialise the schema for our own use. It's the tooling side that seems wide open. I've looked at the Open Toolkit but (and this may be a strange admission for a TECHNICAL writer) it's a little heavy on the tech side. So, in short, I'm looking for any/all recommendations in this area. If you have a DITA based publishing system in place, with version control, I'd love to hear about it! Gordon P.S. This is not an excuse for vendors to cold call me! This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com
FrameMaker DITA and CMS
DITA isn't a publishing standard, it's a content structure standard I thought. Perhaps I need to state my question more clearly. Does anyone have an example of all the applications (names!) used in an end to end publishing system that is based on XML single source (DITA is a bit of a red herring I guess, it's a standard, not an application). I know FrameMaker 8 supports DITA, and I'll be evaluating that soon (I presume it handles the transformation from XML to 'FM editable' and back?). But what CMS are people using? And what publishing engines? Webworks? Or something from the DITA Open Toolkit? I'm wary of getting sucked into a proprietary path, and also of having an overly complex build system (ultimately we want to publish on a schedule as well as instantly to a website). I've visited and read up on a lot of vendor propositions, and I'm aware that consultancies will have favoured solutions, so I'm asking the Framers for THEIR recommendations if they have such a system in place. Gordon -Original Message- From: Shmuel Wolfson [mailto:s...@actcom.com] Sent: 12 March 2008 09:08 To: Gordon McLean Subject: Re: FrameMaker DITA and CMS You need an XML editor such as Xmetal or Structured Frame. The CMS helps for version control and knowing which chinks are used in which books. This is useful information when considering editing a chunk. DITA is a popular XML publishing standard, although there are others. There is a plug-in for structured Frame to have DITA support in Frame, and in Frame 8 it is built in. HTH Regards, Shmuel Wolfson Gordon McLean wrote: > I'm currently evaluating a variety of tools and solutions with an aim to > moving the team to some form of single source process. > > We have looked at, and like, DITA, and will be using that as the basis for > our content. > > However trying to find an end-to-end solution is proving hard, or perhaps > I'm looking in the wrong places? > > My belief is we need a database (CMS) to hold the content (as XML chunks), > an editing application (FrameMaker?) as well as a set of rules to transform > the XML into something editable (or we get an XML editor like... XMetal?). > We then need publishing engines to convert the XML to PDF, JavaHelp, HTML > etc. > > Ohh and we need to maintain three different versions (releases) of the > documentation set. > > The DITA side I've done a lot of research on, we have the beginnings of an > Information Model and have planned out how we will specialise the schema for > our own use. > > It's the tooling side that seems wide open. I've looked at the Open Toolkit > but (and this may be a strange admission for a TECHNICAL writer) it's a > little heavy on the tech side. > > So, in short, I'm looking for any/all recommendations in this area. If you > have a DITA based publishing system in place, with version control, I'd love > to hear about it! > > Gordon > > P.S. This is not an excuse for vendors to cold call me! > > > This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the > addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via > telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments > are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility > whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented > within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation > as a whole. > > Graham Technology plc > Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 > Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH > > http://www.grahamtechnology.com > > ___ > > > You are currently subscribed to Framers as sbw at actcom.com. > > Send list messages to framers at lists.frameusers.com. > > To unsubscribe send a blank email to > framers-unsubscribe at lists.frameusers.com > or visit http://lists.frameusers.com/mailman/options/framers/sbw%40actcom.com > > Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit > http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info. > > This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have
