ABCD... SGML: A New Book Article: 11450 of comp.text.sgml From: liora@delphi.com Newsgroups: comp.text.sgml Subject: ABCD... SGML: A New Book Date: Wed, 15 Nov 95 21:11:57 -0500 Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Message-ID: I would like to announce the publication of my long-in- the-works book ABCD... SGML, published by International Thomson Computer Press. I have read this discussion group sporadically during the years I have worked on the book and it has always been my intention to create a resource for those who ask, periodically, Whoa, what is this all about? Where can I turn for a simple explanation and to figure out how it relates to my needs? I hope that I have provided a tool for these readers. As it turned out, it took me a few more pages than I anticipated to do this (my apologies to trees everywhere), but then, the subject deserves it. The book is 432 pp (well, exactly 100 are consumed in resource guides, appendices and front and back matter) and costs $39.95 (US). It includes a disk with a special build of SoftQuad's Panorama FREE that will load under Windows 3.1 with the book's SGML Resource Guide even if the user does not have a Web connection. With a Web connection, the Guide has live links to SGML-related Web resources. The disk includes two style sheets and two navigators which present a neat method of showing how presentation applications are independent of data coding. It is *not*, as a recent poster requested, "SGML for Dummies." I don't believe in writing for dummies, regardless of the subject. It is, I hope, a first book for all those interested in SGML -- programmers, writers, pubs managers, MIS. It is, I hope, an accessible book that considers the workplace changes that must be concurrent with the introduction of any new technology and creates a conceptual framework for understanding SGML production processes that will have value beyond this volume and the current round of tools and data designs. A writer well known to readers of this list is preparing a review of the book for comp.text.sgml. What follows in the publisher's Press Release. Excerpts are available at http://www.thomson.com/itcp under Samples. Soon -- how soon depends on Thomson -- the SGML and Panorama files from the disk that comes with the book will be posted as Thomson Web Extras at the same address. My appreciation to all those readers who helped me in the process of producing the book -- you are many -- I tried to mention each of you in the print volume, apologies to any who were inadvertently left out. I look forward to feedback on the volume -- please feel free to contact me directly at liora@delphi.com or through my publisher. Readers who would like to review the book for other electronic or print publications should contact the publisher (Kathleen Raftery kraftery@thomson.com or at the address below.) Best wishes, Liora Liora Alschuler The Word Electric POB 177 East Thetford, VT 05043 802/785-2623 liora@delphi.com =================================================== FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: USA OUTSIDE THE USA: Kathleen Raftery Josette Garcia Tel. 617-348-8184 Tel. 44-171-497-1422 Fax 617-695-1615 Fax 44-171-497-1426 kraftery@thomson.com Josette.Garcia@itpuk.co.uk International Thomson Computer Press Announces the Release of ABCD... SGML A User's Guide to Structured Information by Liora Alschuler ISBN 1-850-32197 Boston, MA - International Thomson Computer Press announced today the publication of ABCD... SGML A User's Guide to Structured Information, the first book for managers, writers, and programmers that takes a system-wide approach to the application of SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) to publishing, information management and the Internet. This is the first SGML book that considers the collateral changes to the organization of work that accompany every successful transition to new technology. The book includes a disk that demonstrates SGML in action. The book provides an overview of the tools and processes that put SGML to work on real-world applications and describes over a dozen case studies of SGML in use in financial analysis; judicial administration; multimedia entertainment; scientific and academic research; electronic, print and technical publishing; and, not least of all, on the World Wide Web. It explains how to do a needs analysis that will tell you if SGML is appropriate for your situation. The book introduces SGML-based data design and system design and covers the transition to SGML and work in an SGML-based environment. ABCD... SGML explains SGML and SGML-based technology in such a way that anyone can read it and understand how to use SGML to: * create high quality electronic books and online databases * spin-off new products from current resources * eliminate redundant coding * add value to your information resources independent of any single application, vendor, or platform and insure against future data conversion costs * automate new areas of your enterprise not suitable for conventional database technology * comply with industry standards for information interchange ABCD... SGML places SGML in context as an open standard for data encoding that increases the power of current publishing and information management technology. The volume published by ITCP demonstrates SGML with a floppy disk containing ABCD... SGML Resource Guide A: Keeping Pace with SGML, a guide to SGML contacts that is coded in SGML and is bundled with SoftQuad's Panorama FREE browser. The files can be viewed as plain ASCII text or locally in Panorama for Windows or, with a Web connection, in Panorama with hot links to all the Web resources listed in the Guide. These resources include the best sites for information about SGML and the best sites for information in SGML. Special Note on SGML and HTML SGML is the parent language to HTML -- hypertext markup language -- the core data encoding system of the World Wide Web. That is, HTML is just one example of what you can do with SGML. HTML was designed as an easy- to-learn, lowest-common-denominator and it works well for short, simple documents on the World Wide Web. SGML allows you to put more information in your markup so that it describes all types of data with precision and flexibility. For more information on HTML and SGML and extracts from ABCD... SGML, including: * an annotated Table of Contents, * Preface and * Case Study of Microsoft's Cinemania, see our Web site at http://www.thomson.com/itcp.html In addition to the book extracts, you will soon find Keeping Pace with SGML in SGML, as a Thomson WebExtra. Liora Alschuler is a writer and consultant in SGML and technical publishing who has been writing about electronic text delivery systems since 1987. A frequent lecturer and trainer, she teaches an introductory course on SGML for the University of Wisconsin, Engineering Professional Development program. She is a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communications and Associate Editor of Technical Communication for Computers and Communication where she recently edited two special sections on SGML. ******************************** International Thomson Computer Press is an innovative, leading publishing group focused globally on the needs of professionals. Our expert authors come from all corners of the world and work with us to bring new products and ideas to a community keeping pace with the latest technologies. ITCP titles can be purchased through major bookstore chains, independent book stores, college bookstores, over the World Wide Web, or at our Distribution Center at Tel. 800-842-3636.