to dita or not to dita
TRANSCRIPT
To DITA or Not To DITA
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04/15/2023 TC Dojo Master Session 2
Why should I make a change?
Don’t fix what isn’t broken!
Things seem to be fine.
What more could you want?
04/15/2023 TC Dojo Master Session 3
Change Happens
Revolutions are rarely started by the established class. – They happen from the outside forces pushing in.
04/15/2023TC Dojo Open Session 4
It's a difficult thing to truly know your own limits and points of weakness- Hagakure
Disclaimer
04/15/2023 TC Dojo Master Session 6
What structure is best or you?
The first step is to take a long look at where you are at. Good bad or indifferent you need to know where you are, what you have, and where you need to be.
• Technical – tools, structure capabilities, infrastructure
• Resources – time, revenue, headcount, infrastructure
• Skills – existing staff and recruit-able staff• User Experience – How are your customers coming
to your content?
How do they stack up?
• Well established• Well supported• Well documented• Solid history• Version 5.1CR2
Is it DITA• Young and evolving• Growing community• Evolving documentation• Just getting started • Version 1.2
Is it DocBook
How do they stack up?
• Rigid Structure• Easy to grasp and follow• Hierarchy• Book / Section / Section (XML file with includes)• Entities• Book oriented• 100s of Elements • Library type reference
(traditional/linear)
Is it DITA• Specialize / Extendable• Requires training• Context defines structure• Mapped topics(map with links to related files)• Link references• Topic oriented (Concept, Task,
Reference)• Around 120 elements• Database type reference (cubed storage/many possibilities)
Is it DocBook
How do they stack up?
• Content consumption is – Optimized for Print, Web,
Help
• Reuse is a side benefit• Majority of content is
unique to each publication• Great for behemoth
publications
Is it DITA• Content consumption is
– Optimized for Web, Help, Print
• Reuse is critical• Majority of content is
shared across multiple publications
• Big or small, can handle any size publication
Is it DocBook
How do they stack up?
• Easy to maintain• Easy to implement
Is it DITA• Ripple effect• Implementation requires
planning
Is it DocBook
Don’t forget the infrastructure
• Tools – they both have them, almost all venders support both standards – Selection Criteria• OTK does not equal Free
• Staff – Who do I have and who can I get?– Training– Bandwidth• Headcount, Flexibility in
delivery commits
Tools and Team two factors that can make or break you!
04/15/2023TC Dojo Open Session 12
In the end, the best solution for you will be based on what is more important for you or holds more weight.
Next TC Dojo Open Session
• Title: Visualizing Data• Visiting Dojo Master: Phylise Banner• Date: Monday 10 February 2014• Topic:
This session will explore data visualization and literacy, focusing on various techniques to conceptualize narratives and create visualizations. Along with gaining a more comprehensive understanding of data visualization, participants will be introduced to new ways of managing, analyzing, and visualizing data sets, as well as textually expressing underlying relational content.
• Registration link: http://bit.ly/14jB6yQ
• Don’t forget to vote for your choice of upcoming session topics! http://svy.mk/120AaAb
Next TC Dojo Arbortext Edition
• Title: Arbortext Editor for Authoring: So Easy a ChildCan Do It!
• Date: Thursday 30 January 2014• Topic:
One of the hardest things for technical communicators moving into an XML authoring environment is that you’re learning two things at once: A new UI and a new technology. In this session, we’re going to take a step back and walk through the Editor UI. There are a lot of features right at your fingertips that make it easy to get started. We’ll show them to you and give you a chance to see Arbortext Editor in a neutral context.
• Registration link: http://bit.ly/15AU5pg
Next Master Series session – Mon 27 JanuaryA single conversation among a small group of peers. Attendees will have the opportunity to present their challenges and solicit advice in a confidential supportive environment with other Master Series Members.
Sign up at http://tcdojo.org
TC Camp• Unconference & Workshops [On-Site Event]
• Date: Saturday 25 January 2014• Mission College, Santa Clara, CA
• Morning Workshops– Structured Authoring– Responsive Design– Content Quality– Analytics– Inside TCS4
• You can suggest and vote early on afternoon session topics!
http://www.tccamp.org
Thanks to our Sponsors!• Camp Ambassador:
Adobe Systems
• Camp Scout Leader: SDL
• Camp Rangers:MadCap SoftwareDCLSimplyXMLAntenna House
• Camp Conservationists:oXygenXMLDesignScienceJustSystems
Camp Counselor: Single-Sourcing Solutions
See You Next TimeDon’t forget to vote for your choice of
upcoming session topicshttp://svy.mk/120AaAb