How DITA changed the TechComm Landscape

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How DITA changed the TechComm Landscape

• Julio J. Vazquez

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What Ill cover

• Some history
• The role of SGML
• Structured authoring
• Topic-based and task-based
• The role of XML
• How DITA differs from XML
• Before and after DITA (the evolution)
• Pushing boundaries
• Whats on the horizon?

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Some history

• Typewriters
• ISIL
• GML
• Word/Desktop Publishers
• SGML
• Structured Authoring
• XML
• DITA

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The role of SGML

• Added structural semantics to information
• Built monolithic structures
• Supported narrative authoring
• Defined a way to present semantics in output

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Structured Authoring

• Basis of information architecture
• Plan entire structure
• Building blocks for larger constructs
• Focus on smaller units
• Assemble larger documents from blocks
• Reuse the units when possible

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Topic-based and Task-based

• Basically similar
• Topics come from plan
• Plan may not reflect user tasks
• Task-based starts with how to do
• Related information grows from tasks
• Unrelated information unnecessary

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The role of XML

• XML describes information
• Each piece of information is a type of something
• Enforces a simple structure
• Allows transforms to other types of coding (text,
  HTML)
• Has a querying language
• Does not require any descriptor
• Good for programming data

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How DITA differs from XML

• Designed for documentation
• Supports topic-based writing
• Defines a reuse implementation
• Structure and processing description
• Defines webbing
• Defines interfaces with non-DITA information
• Defines an extension mechanism

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Before and after DITA (the evolution)
Before After
We told readers how things worked. We tell users how to use things.
We wrote information linearly. We write individual units as needed.
All information was part of a book. All information comprise topics to be used wherever needed.
Technical Communicators were regarded as necessary evils that were lower in the product development food chain. Technical Communicators are product development partners to be involved in all phases of the product to ensure user-centered products
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Before and after DITA (the evolution)
Before After
Technical communicators just passed information from developers to consumers. Technical communicators drive information design and delivery based on consumer needs.
Good English skills, knowledge of DTP tools, and some technical background needed. Information analysis, information structure, reuse design, good English skills, reporting skills, minimalism, knowledge of XML, and understanding of single-sourcing.
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Pushing boundaries

• Specializations
• Learning
• Hardware
• Taxonomy
• DITA Wiki
• Quark Word Plug-in
• DITA with video (MPEG-7)

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Whats on the horizon

• Technical Committees
• Business
• Pharma
• Publications?
• DITA to WebHelp
• More multimedia
• DITA Ecosystem
• Workflow management
• DITA as part of products