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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!
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.
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