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Subject: Re: [docbook-apps] Where to start?
>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> > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- >To unsubscribe, e-mail: docbook-apps-unsubscribe@lists.oasis-open.org >For additional commands, e-mail: docbook-apps-help@lists.oasis-open.org -- Ron Catterall, Phd, DSc email: ron@catterall.net Prolongacion de Hidalgo 140 http://catterall.net/ San Felipe del Agua tel: +52 951 520 1821 Oaxaca 68020 Mexico fax: +1 530 348 8309
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