DocBook; was: Re: Giving up on XML

[eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com]

>>For those still considering adopting DocBook, another reasonable 
approach may
>>be to look at Simplified DocBook--then to add a few elements from 
DocBook
>>itself to allow for books, since the simplified form has as its largest
>>element articles.

Excellent advice.

It is imperative that anyone adopting a Structure to understand what the 
purpose of the structure is.

DocBook, ATA, the many milspec DTDs, and others are often INTERCHANGE 
structures. And as such have many ambiguities that make addressing 
specific needs difficult and may make them unsuitable for use as a 
production environment. 

Just as there is simplified DocBook, there are consultants who will 
customise DocBook to your needs while maintaining compatibility. Same for 
ATA and others. The ATA and milspec DTDs are often free. But to have a 
useable work environment can cost a fortune.

Think of those DTDs as Word or Frame templates. You study a template and 
understand it before you adopt it as your working template. I've often 
found that even if constrained to deliver in a sanctioned industry or 
institutional template, my working needs are best addressed by creating a 
custom template that can be converted to the sanctioned one for delivery.

Same for XML/SGML structures. If DocBook, ATA, HTML, CALS, MathML, DITA, 
or any of the other available templates don't meet your needs you either 
have to identify the deficiencies and create workarounds when possible, or 
create your own template to meet your specific needs.

It isn't the structure chosen that will necessarily reap the most 
benefits, but the fact you start using a structure.

The learning curve for creating structure is steeper than a Word or Frame 
template. But it need not be a ground up development or an expensive 
project. But it will require you to learn some of the innards of the 
process if an out-of-the-box solution can't be used.

Eric L. Dunn
Senior Technical Writer

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