Re: DITA and the senior writer survey

[Troy Klukewich <tklukewich -at- sbcglobal -dot- net>]

Hi Christine:
 
What a great idea for an article. 
 
For five years, I headed up a large scale conversion effort at Borland Software. My  team moved a number of content sets to XML and structured documentation with automated outputs to HTML Help 2.0, HTML Help, Eclipse Help, HTML (Web Help variants), and PDF. Just when we thought we were finished, Borland would buy another company and off we'd go again. :-)
 
More recently, I've been working on a DITA prototype for one of Oracle's acquisitions.
 
>From experience, the technical issues of moving to XML and structured documentation are relatively easy to surmount with old fashioned hard work. The change management issues are far more significant and subtle.
 
I documented my summations in the April edition of JoAnn Hackos' Best Practices (The Center for Information-Development Management). The article was called, "Best Practices for XML and Structured Documentation." We can discuss more offline if you like.
 
I commend your efforts.
 
Troy Klukewich
Information Architect
Oracle


----- Original Message ----
From: Christine Sigman <c -dot- m -dot- sigman -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2007 7:06:23 PM
Subject: DITA and the senior writer survey


Hi all

I am gathering information for an upcoming article on how the move to
DITA/structured authoring affects the daily work life of individual
contributors. I myself am a senior tech writer at a company in the midst of
conversion and feel that this piece of the DITA picture needs more
attention. I've seen plenty of information about the business case and
management case for conversion, but not much about the challenges and
opportunites faced by those at the keyboard.

If you are at any stage in conversion (from exploring options to actually
producing all your content in a structured environment) and would be willing
to fill out a two-page survey about your experience, please contact me at
the email address below. You needn't reveal any information about your
employer nor details about your product.

Thanks very much!

Christine Marini Sigman
c -dot- m -dot- sigman -at- gmail -dot- com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

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