SGML at Work - Book Description
USENET News Posting
Author: Dan Vint
Email: dvint@slip.net
Date: 1998/09/06
Forums: comp.text.sgml, comp.text.xml
Now available at your local bookstore:
Title: SGML at Work
Series: Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference
Author: Danny R. Vint
Pub: Prentice Hall PTR (Upper Saddle River, NJ)
Date: August 1998
ISBN: 0-13-636572-8
Extent: 1024 pages, CDROM
Price: $55.00
URL: http://www.slip.net/~dvint/book.html
Prenhall: http://www.prenhall.com/allbooks/ptr_0136365728.html
Description
-----------
"SGML at Work" contains 16 chapters divided into 5 parts to provide
you with a start to finish methodology for implementing (not how to
decide to implement) an SGML/XML based publishing system.
"SGML at Work" explores describes and gives insight into the following:
- Now that I've decided to use SGML/XML how do I get started?
- What will be the organizational changes brought on by the new
system?
- Should I use consultants or train internal staff?
- How do I bring the internal staff up to speed in SGML/XML?
- What tools are available?
- How do I build a DTD to handle my legacy documentation?
- What is a good way to convert my documents?
- What is an SGML document management system?
- What about my graphics - sure SGML is great for text, but how do
illustrations get converted and managed with these new tools?
- Why should I use vector graphics instead of raster?
- How to I find out about the native format of my documents so I can
write a conversion?
- Gee! there are a lot of tools that I need, where do I start?
Described in this book is the JETT methodology for implementing SGML
systems. "SGML at Work" takes a sample FrameMaker document (could
have been any format), through the process of defining a DTD, DTD
documentation and development tools, building the conversions and
converting the document, refining the DTD, building SGML editing
environments, SGML hardcopy and on-line publishing, to how to
implement an SGML document management and workflow system.
No other book provides you with the ability to hit the ground
running. Some of today's foremost SGML tools are used and demonstrated
(some with implementations already to use on the CD-ROM included with
the book), like:
SGML Editors
o Arbortext ADEPT*Editor and Document*Architect
o Corel Ventura 7
o Corel WordPerfect 8
o Grif SGML Editor
o InContext
DTD tools
o Near & Far Designer - also packaged as Corel Visual DTD
o SGML Companion Browser
o dtd2html
Hardcopy presentation tools
o OmniMark conversion from SGML to RTF
o DSSSL formatting with JADE
On-line presentation tools
o SoftQuad Panorama Pro and Viewer
o INSO DynaText
o INSO DynaWeb
o TechnoTeacher HyBrowse
Document management
o Texcel Information Manager
Graphics Tools
o SnagIt
o MetaPrint
o LviewPro
o HiJaak
o GhostScript/GhostView
o Image Alchemy
Programming Tools
o Perl
o awk
o OmniMark
Below you will find the complete Table of Contents, list of programs
developed, and the back cover description of this book.
Table of Contents
------------------
Preface
About this book
About the author
Acknowledgments
Conventions
PART I Foundations
------------------
1 What is Publishing?
Publishing Roles
Publication Types
Regulated documents
Technical documents
Database generated documents
Interactive documents
2 What is a desktop publishing system?
Parts of a desktop publishing system
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Markup
Support Utilities
Multimedia support
Operating system interface
Conventions
3 What is an SGML publishing system?
An SGML publishing system compared to a DTP System
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Markup
Support Utilities
Multimedia support
Operating system interface
Conventions
General SGML implementation considerations
Declaration file
Entities
Special characters
External files and references
SGML features
4 The JETT Implementation Methodology
Get something working
Start simple
Build internal expertise
Build an enterprise solution
SGML is more than just documents
PART II Design
--------------
5 Analyzing documents for a DTD
Document analysis
Skills required
Document Analysis methodology
Industry standard DTDs
Types of documents
Hardcopy requirements
How many DTDs are needed?
Developing a DTD
Sample documents
Your document samples
Analyzing the sample document
6 DTD design and documentation tools
DTD development tools
Near & Far Designer
Installation
Configuration
Using the Near & Far Designer
SGML Companion DTD Browser
Installation
Configuration
Using the SGML Companion DTD browser
DTD documentation methods
SGML Sample document
Documentation sample
Test sample
dtd2html
Installation
Configuration
Using dtd2html
7 Converting legacy text documents
Introduction to conversion
Data collection methodology
What to do with a new format
Learning phase
Conversion program
Conversion tools
Selected text formats
nroff/troff
Interleaf
Interleaf ASCII format (IAF)
Output to Interleaf
Adobe FrameMaker
Output to FrameMaker
Microsoft Word
Output to Microsoft Word
Getting into SGML
Conversion Programming
Support tools
Configuring OmniMark emacs mode
Using vim
Using tail and head
Using grep
Programming tools
awk
Perl
OmniMark
OmniMark conversion programs
Extracting information from a MIF book file
Finding referenced files in a MIF file
Listing the styles in a MIF file
Simple report on the contents of a MIF file
Converting from MIF to SGML
8 Converting legacy document graphics
Desktop publishing tools and graphics
Converting graphics
Raster formats
Tagged image file format (TIFF)
Graphics interchange format (GIF)
JPEG
Vector Formats
PostScript and Encapsulated PostScript
Computer graphics metafile (CGM)
Initial graphics interchange specification
(IGES)
Graphic conversion programs
Capturing the sample graphics
Capturing images with SnagIt
Capturing images with MetaPrint
Working with CGM files
PART III Construction
---------------------
9 Arbortext ADEPT*Editor and Document*Architect
Installation
Using Document*Architect
Building the sample DTD application
SGML file cleanup
Enhancing the sample application
Defining a screen FOSI
A tour of the FOSI editor
Modifying the default screen FOSI
Changes to the sample.dtd
Installing the sample application
Using ADEPT*Editor
New document creation
SGML settings and special tools
Entity creation and manipulation
Creating character entities
Creating file entities
Editing file entities
Creating a graphic entity
Creating a notation type
Working with PUBLIC identifiers
Navigating an SGML document
Find tools
HyperTOC Panel
Collapsing an elements content
Working with elements
Inserting an element
Splitting an element
Joining an element
Changing an element
Modifying element attributes
Editing a selection as ASCII markup
Checking IDs and IDREFs
Creating a new table
Turning off rules checking
Validating an SGML document
Observations
10 Grif SGML Editor
Installation
Configuring Grif for a DTD
Using the Grif editor
New document creation
Working with elements
Inserting an element
Splitting an element
Surrounding an element
Changing an element
Modifying attributes
Entity creation and manipulation
Creating character entities
Creating a graphic entity
Creating a new table
Validating an SGML document
Observations
11 Corel WordPerfect 8
Native vs. non-native SGML support
Installing WordPerfect 8 SGML features
Configuring WordPerfect 8 SGML features
Adding entities to the map file
Compiling the DTD
Creating a layout
Defining a second style sheet
Using WordPerfect 8
Loading a new document type
Starting a new SGML document
Inserting an element
Splitting an element
Editing element attributes
Creating character entities
Creating file entities
Creating a graphic entity
Checking IDs and IDREFs
Creating a new table
Validating an SGML document
Observations
12 Corel Ventura 7
Installing Ventura 7 with SGML tools
Configuring InContext v2.2
Configuring Corel Visual DTD
Configuring Ventura 7 SGML features
Adding entities to the map file
Compiling the DTD
Creating a Ventura 7 layout
Configuring the DTD in Ventura
Using the InContext editor
Defining an InContext ATD
Defining an InContext style sheet
Creating an InContext template document
The logical and content editors
SGML settings and special tools
Creating character entities
Creating file entities
Creating a NOTATION
Creating a graphic entity
Viewing IDs
Creating a new table
Managing elements
Inserting an element
Splitting an element
Collapsing element content
Editing element attributes
Printing the document to RTF
Observations
InContext editor
Ventura 7
PART IV Delivery
----------------
13 Delivering documents in hardcopy
OmniMark down translate
OmniMark entity management configuration
Converting from SGML to RTF with OmniMark
An introduction to DSSSL
JADE
Installing Jade
Configuring Jade
Creating a DSSSL format specification
14 Delivering documents on-line
TechnoTeacher's HyBrowse
Installation
Configuration
Building the HyBrowse style sheet
INSO's DynaText
Installation
Configuration
Configuring the collection
Building the DynaText style sheets with InStEd
TOC style sheets
Print style sheets
Using DynaText
Recommendations
Observations
15 SGML and the WWWW
SoftQuad Panorama Pro
Installation
Configuration
Building a stylesheet
Viewing stylesheet
Navigation stylesheet
Installing Panorama Pro stylesheets
Configuring your web browser to use Panorama Pro
Using Panorama Pro
Text searching
Webs
Printing
Panorama Viewer evaluation software
Installation and configuration
Using Panorama Viewer
INSO DynaWeb
Installation
Configuration
Building a stylesheet
Using DynaWeb documents
Changing the DynaWeb display
What is XML?
PART V Management
-----------------
16 Document management systems
Installation of Texcel Information Manager
Building the IM environment
Build a workflow database
Starting the initial servers
Administering the IM system
Creating a document repository database
Modifying the Arbortext environment
Modifying the Adept environment
Modifying the DTD
Modifying the screen FOSI
Projects and roles
Creating a project
Creating a user role
Starting IM after a shutdown
Loading the repository
Loading a DTD
Loading SGML documents
Loading file objects
IM system administration
Workflow management
Creating a process model
Using Texcel Information Manager
Direct repository use
Document browser
Editing sections of content
Using electronic review
Reviewing a document
Autocomment mode revisions
Incorporating review comments
Reviewing comment status
Using a workflow
Creating a workflow case
Observations
Glossary
Appendix A SGML 101: How to read a DTD
Parts of an SGML document
Portability
PUBLIC identifiers
Structure
Element declarations
Entities
Parameter entities
General entities
System identifiers
Entity references
Notation declaration
Miscellaneous Concerns
Comments
Processing instructions
Error messages
Appendix B Unicode Quick Reference
Appendix C SGML Tools and Vendors
DTD development and documentation tools
SGML Editors
SGML Programming tools
SGML document management systems
Shareware Tools
Appendix D SGML at Work sample document
Appendix E CD-ROM Contents
Appendix F Related Standards
Appendix G Further Reading
Sample code
-----------
OmniMark Code to:
o extract information from a FrameMaker book file
o find referenced files in a FrameMaker file
o list the styles in a FrameMaker file
o generate a simple report on the contents of a
FrameMaker file
o convert from FrameMaker to SGML
o conversion from SGML to RTF
Description from Book Cover
---------------------------
The start-to-finish, real-world guide to implementing SGML. You
already know that SGML can supercharge your publishing processes,
helping you leverage information in powerful new ways. All that's left
is the hard part--implementation. One book will you through every
step: "SGML at Work", the most detailed guide to building real-world
SGML publishing systems. Expert SGML and XML developer Dan Vint
presents a cradle-top-grave, soup-to-nuts methodology for deciding
what to do, when to do it, and how to do it right. He answers key
questions like:
o Where do I start?
o Should I implement my own DTDs or use DTDs that already exist?
o How can I convert my legacy documents?
o Which kinds of documents should I begin with?
o How do I build an effective SGML-based document management system?
o Which tools are available, and how do I make them work together?
"SGML at Work" covers the nitty-gritty of building an SGML publishing
system: developing DTDs as efficiently as possible; introducing a
quality control cycle that works; using and adapting conversion tools;
and more. You'll find extensive code and software configurations you
can use today. If you're implementing SGML, don't reinvent the
wheel--let "SGML at Work" help you get the job done right, the first
time.
The "SGML at Work" CD-ROM contains an extraordinary library of
commercial SGML trialware, and configurations to support the immediate
use of Corel Ventura Publisher 7 and WordPerfect 8; Grif; InContext
SGML editors; Arbortext ADEPT*Editor and Document*Architect; the
OmniMark programming language for document conversion and manipulation
the Texcel Information Manager; and all these deliver tools: INSO
DynaText and DynaWeb; and SoftQuad Panorama Pro. You'll also find a
complete working sample implementation that takes a FrameMaker
document through DTD development, SGML conversion, cleanup, editing,
presentation and document management. This sample is used to develop
programs and demonstrate the SGML industry's best commercial shareware
and freeware tools.
Dan Vint has been involved in documentation systems development and
support since the early days of the desktop publishing revolution in
the early 1980s, and has implemented SGML tools in defense, aerospace,
software development and legal publishing environments.