Re: [docbook-apps] Where to start?

[Ron Catterall <ron@catterall.net>]

>We have approximately 600 page 'manual' consisting of mostly static
>text, some forms and a small amount of graphics. These are mostly in
>individual Microsoft Word documents (ugh!) Final formats would likely be
>html (for most usage including filling out forms) and PDF (for printing
>hard copies). My platform is primarily Linux and my thinking is that I
>will probably use subversion for this project.

If you are already into Subversion, stick with it, otherwise why not 
just use CVS (if you are familiar with it of course).

>1. I have looked at the web pages for several programs but the ones that
>seem to be of interest are Oxygen and Serna. Oxygen seems to have more
>features and Serna seems to be WYSIWYG. Recommendations?

Use Oxygen if you don't want to write your own 'make' stuff (which 
can be much faster if you are really make-aware), and avoid the 
so-called WYSIWYG products, just more learning for less control over 
the product.  You need to learn to handle Docbook (which has a 
definite learning curve, but nothing like learning C++) plus some XML 
(which is easy).  I find the WYSIWIG products are far more trouble 
than they are worth, and you'd end up polishing the code they write. 
You could also use Emacs, but that might yet another learning curve 
for you.  The only problem with Oxygen is that it is slow unless you 
have lots of memory, think Gigs!  But it does most of the work for 
you.  Once you get into the game, de-bugging is great with Oxygen.

>2. If I am starting now, should I just go to Docbook 5 and relaxng?

At the moment I'd say stick to Docbook 4.5, but be 5-aware - go easy 
on the entities which are are a bit tedious to convert 4.x to 5 (but 
sort of automatic).  Apart from that there is little required to go 
to 5 when it goes into production mode that can't be handled 
automatically.  A short learning curve (if any) for 5, you might need 
to forget some 4.x stuff.

>3. Are there people who can be hired (reasonable...we are a
>insufficiently funded non-profit service provider for mentally ill) who
>can help me get started or is that even necessary? I can do html, css,
>ruby but have no experience with xml except for minimal experience
>listed above.

If you do go to hiring, call in someone who knows the game well to 
vet applicants, a small consultants fee that would more than pay off.

>Any / all comments will be greatly appreciated
>
>--
>Craig White <craig@tobyhouse.com>
>
>
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-- 
Ron Catterall, Phd, DSc			       	email: ron@catterall.net
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