Docbook and style

[davep <davep@dpawson.co.uk>]

Docbook is now used for many other uses than tech doc.  With this come
style requirements.  Since db5 now uses Relax NG, which is easy to
customize, is it possible to add a simple 'decorative' customization
to add markup specifically for styling.  E.g. Drop caps for the first
letter of the first para of a chapter.  Direct italics, rather than
indirect via emphasis/@role.  Specific styling/font directives for
headings. Letting the stylesheet author know about font requirements
etc, perhaps as metadata? Perhaps as <phrase font='xxx'>Some Greek</
I'm sure there are many more options

With such markup, a simple customization layer could cater for the
styling off that markup without putting any workload on the basic
docbook styling.

How much does this approach grate with classical docbook usage?  I
don't see that it need impact on any such usage. I can see the
objection from the semantic markup only view, though those with that
view need not make any use of the schema customization.

It will be a fine line between markup for styling and styling itself.
Until this is explored, I'm not really sure where those lines might
be drawn?


Comments? Support? Disapproval?
What are your styling requirements at the markup level.


regards

-- 
Dave Pawson
XSLT XSL-FO FAQ.
http://www.dpawson.co.uk