Re: [docbook-apps] Displaying images in XMetal

[Jirka Kosek <jirka@kosek.cz>]

Jana Volencova wrote:

> And speaking about XML editors, I spent a lot of time trying to find a
> suitable one but nothing seems ideal. 

The problem is that to be really productive, you should heavily 
customize generic XML editor to particular document type (DocBook in 
your case). Some editors are already shipped with quite good DocBook 
support (Epic, XXE), some not (XMetaL). And if you have just few hours 
to quickly develop basic DocBook support for XMetaL you will probably 
get something what won't be as good as DocBook support in XXE. But if 
you can spend some time on it, you can get something much better. And of 
course you can even improve DocBook customization provided by XXE.

So, if you are evaluating XML editors for DocBook, you should evaluate 
either features that are available out-of-the box, or evaluate 
extensibility features provided by editors that allow you to customize 
editor for your needs.

Yes, this is a hard process, because there is no simple checklist of 
features for "DocBook editor". Creating good documentation system is not 
that easy. You can use stock Word. It will work to some extent. You can 
use stock DocBook, with stock XML editor with stock stylesheets and you 
will get much better solution. But if you want state of the art 
solution, you should analyze your needs, then design and create 
customized version of DocBook (usually just subset with few domain 
specific extensions), customize stylesheets and editing environment for 
maximum productivity of tech writers. And there is a bunch of other 
things to consider -- CMS, review process, translation management, ... 
Good luck!

				Jirka			

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