http://thecontentwrangler.com/2008/04/11/choosing_an_xml_schema_docbook_or_dita/
I am feel that AsciiDoc is too much like a wiki tool
- no validation so you have to read the output to know if you are right.
- IDEs used by most developers can auto-validate XML and provide code
completion so DITA is going to be easy for developers to use - more
chance that docs match code.
- too much formatting embedded in the AsciiDoc markup so it is going to
be harder to reuse and rebrand for different System Integrators or customers
- No translation support in AsciiDoc.
- harder to include and exclude topics in AsciiDoc to make sure that you
can use the dynamic configuration of help to match components selected
or activated in a particular installation.
- hard to reuse AsciiDoc in other outputs such as proposals, contracts,
custom specifications, brochures, web sites, etc.
Converting DocBook to DITA is not a big deal except that there will
probably be a desire to update and restructure the current DocBook to
make it better and more modular.
Ron
On 06/06/2015 5:14 PM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
Thanks Ron,
That's interesting but seems quite a lot of work, not sure the
community will commit to provide it... Let's see...
I also wonder if this could not be done with DocBook or AsciiDoc. What
is specific to DITA that 2 other systems have not to do the same?
Thanks
Jacques
Le 31/05/2015 15:59, Ron Wheeler a écrit :
On 31/05/2015 8:42 AM, Jacques Le Roux wrote:
Le 31/05/2015 14:41, Jacques Le Roux a écrit :
It is going to be much better for Integrators that need to produce
marketing materials, RFP responses and custom end-user
documentation that could be largely composed of topics from the
shared OFBiz library of topics simply by defining a map that calls
up the topics that you need in the sequence required and applying
a format that matches the output requirements.
I just don't see how the alternatives that are being discussed can
do this and this seems to be a major value that will motivate
people to contribute.
You know and use DITA professionally so you have arguments. I have
no (at all) experience with AsciiDoc so I can't give good
arguments. Could you though explain what you mean by "RFP responses
and custom end-user documentation that could be largely composed of
topics from the shared OFBiz library of topics simply by defining a
map that calls up the topics that you need"? Notably what is
exactly the "shared OFBiz library of topics"?
Ho, I think you already answered with
http://intuillion.com/2015/05/27/how-we-used-dita-to-automate-generation-of-requirements-documents/
I will read that...
Though still, what is exactly the "shared OFBiz library of topics"?:)
Jacques
Short answer.
The manual or help system git project would have topics such as
*Concept Topics*
- goal of OFBiz eCommerce - OFBiz_eCommerce_goal.dita
- OFBiz eCommerce overview - OFBiz_eCommerce_overview.dita
- OFBiz eComerce Benefits - OFBiz_eCommerce_benefits.dita
- OFBiz eCommerce Features - OFBiz_eCommerce_features.dita
- OFBiz ecommerce and Paypal - OFBiz_eCommerce_with_Paypal.dita
- OFBiz eCommerce and Google Wallet -
OFBiz_eCommerce_with_Google_Wallet.dita
- Shopping cart Overview
*Task Topics*
- configuring PayPay in OfBiz -
Configuring_OFBiz_eCommerce_with_Paypal.dita
- configuring Google Wallet in OFBiz -
Configuring_OFBiz_eCommerce_with_Google_Wallet.dita
- Shopping Cart payment process - Paying_with_eCommerce
- with Paypal - Paying_with_eCommerce_through_PayPal
- with Google Wallet - Paying with eCommerce_through_Google_Wallet
There would be hundreds of topics when you start to breakdown all of
the things that one might want to say about OFBiz in help and the web
site.
If you were writing a marketing brochure for your company, you would
create a ditamap that included "OFBiz_eCommerce_overview.dita" and
perhaps "OFBiz_eCommerce_benefits.dita" or
"OFBiz_eCommerce_features.dita". The map would include references to
other similar pieces from the library.
You would have your company profile, perhaps some topics targeted at
the industry that you are approaching, and a topic that has your
references.
This DITAmap would be processed through your customized DITA-OT
process to add your branding and format it as a brochure.
If you were responding to an RFP that asked about Paypal, you might
select "OFBiz_eCommerce_overview.dita" and
"OFBiz_eCommerce_with_Paypal.dita" with
"Paying_with_eCommerce_through_PayPal" if the RFP asked for details.
You would have your own topics about legal, support, references,
industry experience, etc that you would include in the RFP respose.
--
Ron Wheeler
President
Artifact Software Inc
email: [email protected]
skype: ronaldmwheeler
phone: 866-970-2435, ext 102
