Re: Author-it [was: Single Sourcing tools]

Subject: Re: Author-it [was: Single Sourcing tools]
From: "Char James-Tanny" <charjtf -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:17:45 -0400

Hi, Jan :-)

> Thanks for sharing your expertise.

You're welcome :-)

> In regards to first question, I did a little research and came across a
> review of Author-It
> (http://www.techcommpros.com/articles/CMS/ait_seasoned_review.shtml),
> written by Mike Tulloch, a tech writer in Florida. Since I'm not sure when
> the article was written, I can't vouch for its applicability to the latest
> version of Author-It, but it does appear to be in-line with what you
> described. Given what he says and the implications to the ability to work
> across multiple releases, I'd probably have to agree with him, as I'd be
> concerned in a fast-paced environment where work is started on the next
> release before the prior release is put to bed. That can happen if a
> document's lifecycle equates to, e.g., Channel Ready plus six months, where
> writing on the next release begins with Business Ready. As such, I'd have
> to preclude Author-It as the single-sourcing tool of choice where multiple
> releases of a document are being concurrently worked on. Otherwise, it
> might work well, depending on the needs and requirements of the writing
> group.

Several members of the Author-it Users Group use the XML export for
this functionality. (The article you referenced doesn't include this
information, and some of the information that it does include is
incorrect.) For example, you do not have to version the entire library
(unless that's what you really want to do)...you can export a book to
XML and then import it back in as new objects. Or you could duplicate
books and topics if you wanted to create new versions where all copies
were editable.

> Anyway, I won't torture you any further (today)--time to move on to a cold
> one (it's quitting time or me). 8^)

Nice :-) Not time for me to quit yet...

Char James-Tanny ~ JTF Associates, Inc. ~ http://www.helpstuff.com
----------------------------------------------------------
Please send follow-up questions to the list. (Inquiries sent off-list
may not be seen.)
Contact me directly (CharJT at helpstuff dot com) with business inquiries.
----------------------------------------------------------
2006-2007 Microsoft Help MVP
Find a Help Authoring Tool at HAT-Matrix.com ~ http://hat-matrix.com
Co-author of "Managing Virtual Teams" ~ http://www.wordware.com/wiki
AuthorIT Certified Consultant, Development, and Training
STC Secretary, 2006-2008
Web site Hosting and Design ~ http://www.jtfhosting.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 archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


References:
Re: Author-it [was: Single Sourcing tools]: From: Jan Cohen

Previous by Author: Re: Author-it [was: Single Sourcing tools]
Next by Author: RE: Searching PDFs
Previous by Thread: Re: Author-it [was: Single Sourcing tools]
Next by Thread: Re: Author-it [was: Single Sourcing tools]


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


Sponsored Ads