delivering XML on the web

[Yves Barbion]

Hi Mollye,

I'm currently also working on a fun project: authoring structured 
content for a corporate website.

I'm using the DITA information model and I'm writing DITA topics in 
FrameMaker with the DITA-FMx plug-in. This is how I do it:

   1. We do a brainstorm and make a list of the topics which we want to
      have on the site.
   2. We open this list in FrameMaker and save it as a regular,
      unstructured FrameMaker file. This list is resembles the
      traditional outline: the indents define the level of the topics
      and headings.
   3. We  use DITA-FMx to create a ditamap and "stubs" from this list.
      The "stubs" are topics which already have the correct title and
      some metadata.
   4. Write standalone, information-typed topics, which means filling in
      the stubs.
   5. We (re)arrange the topics in the ditamap, which will later become
      the sitemap.
   6. In the ditamap, use a "relationship table" to add links to my
      topics (navigation). 

I use the DITA Open Toolkit to generate the following output:

    * xhtml. These are the files which I deliver to my web developer.
    * HTMLHelp, which I then convert to WebHelp. This gives me a pretty
      good idea of how my "pages" look in a web browser and how the
      navigation and linking works.

Lessons learned?

    * Authoring, and (re)structuring web content has never been easier.
      Just take the ditamap and drag the topics around in the structure
      to the position where you want to have them.
    * The DITA-FMx plug-in is really the must-have tool if you want to
      author DITA content in FrameMaker.


More information about DITA and DITA-FMx?

    * http://leximation.com/dita-fmx/
    * http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=dita
    * http://dita.xml.org/
    * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DITA


Kind regards
 

Yves Barbion 
Documentation Architect
Adobe-Certified FrameMaker Instructor
____________________________________

Scripto bvba
Asselsstraat 65
9031 Gent
Belgium
T: +32 494 12 01 89
F: +32 9 366 50 23
BTW (VAT) BE 0886.192.394
skype: yves.barbion
____________________________________



Mollye Barrett wrote:
> Dear Framers,
>
> I'm working on a fun project (for an equipment manufacturer) using Frame
> to author structured files that may (for a time) be published to PDF as
> well as to XML. The XML files will be checked into a CMS and delivered to
> the web for dynamic publication based on metadata and/or search.
>
> Is anyone doing the same or something similar? I'm interested your
> production path details, information model, lessons learned and, very
> soon, navigation in the delivery environment.
>
> I look forward to and appreciate any replies.
>
> Mollye Barrett
> ClearPath, LLC
> 414-331-1378
> _______________________________________________
>
>
> You are currently subscribed to Framers as yves.barbion at gmail.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/yves.barbion%40gmail.com
>
> Send administrative questions to listadmin at frameusers.com. Visit
> http://www.frameusers.com/ for more resources and info.
>
>