Re: [docbook] DocBook and Publishing Software

["Rajal Shah" <rajal@meshsoftware.com>]

Actually, we at Juniper use Epic too for all our Technical Publications.. 
(yes we do a lot of XML authoring).. and we're reasonably happy with Epic.. 
One gripe I've had with Epic is that it reformats my raw XML completely.. 
And is thus a complete mess were you to open it in Emacs or Notepad later.

--
Rajal

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Hudson" <scottys.log@gmail.com>
To: "'David White'" <davidw@kencook.com>; "'Bill Lawrence'" 
<lawrence@mayaviz.com>
Cc: <docbook@lists.oasis-open.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 1:50 PM
Subject: RE: [docbook] DocBook and Publishing Software


> I've used Arbortext quite a bit, and it is indeed the most user friendly 
> and robust product out there.
>
> The "extra junk" consists of specific processing instructions, so it 
> shouldn't affect any external applications or the actual content.
>
> --Scott
>
> Scott Hudson
>
> Flatirons Solutions Corporation
> XML and Content Management Solutions
> http://www.FlatironsSolutions.com
>
> http://shudson310.blogspot.com
> Knowledge is Power. Sharing is Empowerment.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David White [mailto:davidw@kencook.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 2:46 PM
> To: Bill Lawrence
> Cc: docbook@lists.oasis-open.org
> Subject: Re: [docbook] DocBook and Publishing Software
>
> ArborText is definately a solid product but I hear their data is
> proprietary and that their XML has extra junk in it so that it works
> better with their suite of software.   Does this hinder its use for
> applications outside ArborText?
>
> Bill Lawrence wrote:
>
>> David,
>>
>> I have to agree with Dave Pawson.  Epic (Dave uses the old Adept name)
>> is the cadillac and the closest fit to a WYSIWYG application.  I've
>> used it in the past at other companies, and I've specified it as our
>> editor here.  Dave's equally right about writers adapting to XML and
>> tag-based editing.  Some do easily, others do so more grudgingly.  How
>> you sell the advantages has a lot to do with the ease of acceptance.
>>
>> Our information design group uses InDesign exclusively, and it seems a
>> very capable page layout program.  Much better than Frame but perhaps
>> not as powerful as Quark.  It does have XML import and export
>> capabilities, but you need to build the tables that map tags to
>> internal styles.  I'm still a couple of weeks away from building our
>> InDesign  import/export filter, but from the testing I've done it
>> appears capable of importing Docbook structures.  Tables are another
>> matter.
>>
>> If you don't have a fairly in-depth knowledge of XML, XSLT, and FO,
>> consider taking some classes.  Having that knowledge will go a long
>> way in making your transition to the world of Docbook a whole lot easier.
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Bill
>>
>>
>> David White wrote:
>>
>>> Hello all,
>>>
>>> The company I work for is making decisions about its plans for future
>>> docbook publishing and the current situation that Framemaker is in.
>>> Given that Frame may not survive, and that docbook / XML is the
>>> format of choice for our publishing needs.  What are your opinions on
>>> software solutions for a publishing department?  Granted the
>>> department has individuals of different roles such as writers and
>>> editors etc.
>>>
>>> The tools I have seen are two fold: WYSWYG publishing (ala frame) via
>>> Adobe InDesign (which I hear isn't ready yet to replace Quark or
>>> Frame yet, dont know its DocBook abilities at all).
>>>
>>> OR the XMetal route where publishers essentially become programmers
>>> and use something like Sernea from Syntext to be able to view their
>>> code.
>>>
>>> Anyone willing to offer their suggestions from the Industry as to an
>>> intelligent way to merge a department into the future of docbook
>>> publishing?
>>>
>>> Thank you,
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> To unsubscribe, e-mail: docbook-unsubscribe@lists.oasis-open.org
>> For additional commands, e-mail: docbook-help@lists.oasis-open.org
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> -- 
>
> David White
>
> Web Application Developer
>
> Ken Cook Company
>
> 9929 West Silver Spring Drive
>
> Milwaukee, WI  53225
>
> 414-466-6060 (voice)
>
> 414-466-0840 (fax)
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: docbook-unsubscribe@lists.oasis-open.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: docbook-help@lists.oasis-open.org
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: docbook-unsubscribe@lists.oasis-open.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: docbook-help@lists.oasis-open.org
>