production environment

[Aaron Mehl <aamehl@actcom.net.il>]

Hi all,
I am working in a multinational who documents in msword. I have
suggested to move from word to XML publishing. The idea is to at first
save all docs as wordml and then round trip to docbook. And only then
decide whether to use Docbook or a custom XML for our company.

The issues are:
1. being able to exactly replicate our Templates using docbookxsl style
sheets
2. cost of set up and maintenance of the system
3. Authoring environments that are inexpensive and won't frighten MS
word users
4. The ability to let those who just can't switch continue to author in
MS word.
To name a few.

So now the question:
For those of you working in a production environment using Docbook:

1. How hard was moving to Docbook?
2. How expensive was moving?
3. How time consuming?
4. Are there noticeable savings in money and time?
5. How practical is it to round trip authoring in msword and publishing
in docbook?
6. Do the writers like docbook or word better?
7. Is this possible with free software or must commercial apps be used?
8. What unexpected costs obstacles arouse during the conversion process.
9. What does it cost to maintain the system?
10. If you were given the choice to do it over again would you still
move to using Docbook?
11. Were the docbookxsl style sheets enough with customizations or were
new style sheets built from the ground up necessary?

Other comments?

Thanks,
Aaron