Where to download DITA?

[Yves Barbion]

Well, Michael, you cannot really "download DITA", simply because DITA
comprises A LOT:

   - an OASIS standard
   - an authoring and structuring method
   - a publishing engine
   - white papers, presentations
   - DTDs, Schemas and much much more.

Basically, you cannot use the tools properly without understanding the DITA
authoring principles and the DITA content model. Therefore, I'd recommend a
good DITA training to get started, but if you want to learn it on your own,
this can be a way to go:

   1. Download the DITA Open Toolkit (OT), the free publishing engine,
   from:
   http://sourceforge.net/projects/dita-ot
   2. Download and install a (trial version of a) DITA editor, for
   example FrameMaker or XMetal:
   XMetal: http://na.justsystems.com/content.php?page=support-downloads
   FrameMaker: http://www.adobe.com/products/framemaker/
   DITA-FMx, a very handy DITA plug-in for FrameMaker which offers you
   more functionality:  http://leximation.com/dita-fmx/
   3. Learn the basics of the DITA content model. See the URLs which I
   sent you earlier, and also:

   http://docs.oasis-open.org/dita/v1.1/CD01/langspec/common/alphalist.html
   4. Check the DITA tutorials which are included in XMetal and
   FrameMaker.


If you need any help or training, contact me off-list. We offer the
following web-based DITA classes:

   - DITA in a nutshell: a 4-hour introduction into DITA that gives you
   an overview of the key features of DITA, the DITA tools and authoring and
   publishing mechanisms
   - Authoring DITA content: a full day of training in which you learn
   the basics. You create valid DITA topics of various information types and
   you publish these, using the DITA Open Toolkit.


Good luck.


-- 
Yves Barbion
Documentation Architect
Scripto
Belgium


On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 11:07 PM, Ronquillo, Michael <mronquillo at equitrac.com>
wrote:

> Unless I'm wrong, DITA is free right? I did a search for it and found a
> bunch of hyperlinks. I was overwhelmed, and was unsure which one to
> click.
>
>
>
> Anyone know where I can download DITA?
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Michael Ronquillo
>
> Technical Writer - Equitrac
>
> 1-800-472-9532 x2334
>
> mronquillo at equitrac.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
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as yves.barbion at gmail.com.
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> techwr-l-unsubscribe at lists.techwr-l.com
> or visit
> http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/yves.barbion%40gmail.com
>
>
> To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join at lists.techwr-l.com
>
> Send administrative questions to admin at techwr-l.com. Visit
> http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.
>
>