RE: Not exactly another single source question....

Subject: RE: Not exactly another single source question....
From: "Sean Brierley" <sbri -at- haestad -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 15:53:44 -0400


Tag the content in XML, identify it in a database, or swipe it with a
condition in FrameMaker. This is classic single-source; differentiating
by content and format of deliverable.

You just need to identify the content.

For example, I could create ten conditions in FrameMaker to account for
10 different customers, and ten variables as needed for company names .
. . you get the picture.

Databases and XML would do a better job as the scale increases.

But, sure, what you need is do-able. Hey, and you save time and improve
quality and can focus on getting content done instead of template
twiddling and font fondling!

Cheers,

Sean
Master Wiz and Dog-walking Single-Sourcerer

-----------------------------------------
Sean Brierley
Software Documentation Specialist
Haestad Methods
http://www.haestad.com
203-805-0572 (voice)
203-597-1488 (fax)



-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Strasser [mailto:paul -dot- strasser -at- windsor-tech -dot- com]

Actually, this isn't a question about Classic Single Source (in which
one
magic document is the source for online help, user's guide, system
documentation - and can walk your dog as well).

Instead, I'm wondering
about something else, but "single source" describes the conundrum.

We are developing software that may be sold to a variety of
people/companies/NGOs etc. We want the online help and user's guide
customized for each purchaser. If, for example, Walmart purchases it -
and
no, they're not a potential buyer - we want "Walmart" used throughout
the
document/online help. It isn't a simple matter of just having a global
search & replace for Walmart, though, because there is a lot of
terminology
in the documentation that will be unique to Walmart only...

<snip>

So is there some solution in which I can have a Master Location where I
can
create a list of replaceable terms (and replaceable screen captures)
that
will tie into the base document? What I'm imagining is some sort of
system
where we get a new client (Target, for example) and I can go into the
Master
Location, enter the 45 terms unique to Target, create the 15 screen
captures
unique to Target, save this version of the Master Location, then click a
button and a brand new, complete document is created by sticking all the
new
Master Location terms into the base document.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Check out the new release of RoboDemo, our easy-to-use tutorial software.
Plus, buy RoboHelp Office in August and save $100 with our mail-in rebate.
Get details and download free trial versions at http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l

TECHWR-L is supported by ads and sponsorships...and donations.
You can help maintain the TECHWR-L community with donations
at http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/abouttechwhirl/donate.html

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.



Previous by Author: RE: What do you charge for Web site content?
Next by Author: RE: Add Text to My PDF
Previous by Thread: Re: represented textually - urk
Next by Thread: RE: Not exactly another single source question....


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads