Hi Wayne,
> >> I seem to recall that OpenOffice, a multi-platform suite, was mentioned. > >> It can produce the same results as the current PDF and, if the setup was > >> distributed, anyone could add pages/section/etc for inclusion in the > >> final result. Did I mention that OpenOffice is FREE, works great here > >> and I have been using it for over 7 years. I would think just about > >> everyone on the list has it installed. > >> > >> If Openoffice is not in the mix of tools, I wonder why. > >> > > > > Yeah, I can remember. Still, nobody has answered the following questions. > > Regarding Open Office: > > > > - is it possible to generate HTML and PDF, automatically ? Can OO be > > integrated in automatic builds and produce different outputs while > building > > OpenOffice.org Writer Features > OpenOffice.org Writer lets you design and produce text documents that > can include graphics, tables, or charts. You can then save the documents > in a variety of formats, including the standardized OpenDocument format > (ODF), Microsoft Word .doc format, or HTML. And you can easily export > your document to the Portable Document Format (PDF). > But is it possible to procude HTML and PDF *automatically* ? I mean, could OO be integrated in the build process ? Does a command line exist that can a OO file as input and produce a different output, so it can be integrated in a server (where buildbot lives) ? > > > - is it possible to put OO files under SVN, so content can be followed > > (diff) line by line ? (by default, content is considered binary, so no > diff > > possible). Very important. > > I don't see why not as they are just files. > Yes you can add OO files under SVN, but there'll be considered as binary (because there are ZIPs IIRC), not ASCII. Sometime it's not a problem (eg. images), sometime it's important that content is ASCII: being able to "diff" jal code in SVN is very important for instance (and you can't diff binary content...). If it's important for jal code, then it's important for documentation. when content is ASCII, like jal code for instance. > > > - is it possible to aggregate different files into a single one ? > > - can you reference a particular section in another file and put this > > section's content into the current file ? > > > Writing > OpenOffice.org Writer lets you create both basic documents, such as > memos, faxes, letters , resumes and merge documents, as well as long and > complex or multi-part documents, complete with bibliographies, reference > tables and indexes. > OpenOffice.org Writer also includes such useful features as a > spellchecker, a thesaurus, AutoCorrect, and hyphenation as well as a > variety of templates for almost every purpose. You can also create your > own templates using the wizards. > > Designing and Structuring > OpenOffice.org offers a wide variety of options to design documents. Use > the Styles and Formatting window to create, assign and modify styles for > paragraphs, individual characters, frames and pages. In addition, the > Navigator helps you to quickly move around inside your documents, lets > you look at your document in an outline view, and keeps track of the > objects that you have inserted into your document. > You can also create various indexes and tables in text documents. You > can define the structure and appearance of the indexes and tables > according to your individual needs. Live hyperlinks and bookmarks let > you jump directly to the corresponding items in the text. > > Probably more flexible & easier than other documentation tool :) > > Aggregating and content referencing aren't just gadgets: there are many > > source of documentation out there, and many of them could re-use, just > like > > you would re-use code instead of reinventing the wheel. Regarding this > > analogy with code, I (like to) consider documentation just like code: > under > > SVN, automatic builds, reusable, refactoring, etc... > > > Desktop Publishing with OpenOffice.org Writer > OpenOffice.org Writer contains numerous desktop publishing and drawing > tools to assist you in creating professionally styled documents, such as > brochures, newsletters and invitations. You can format your documents > with multi-column layouts, text frames, graphics, tables, and other > objects. > > Calculations > Text documents in OpenOffice.org have an integrated calculation function > that helps you execute sophisticated calculations or logical links. You > can easily create a table in a text document in order to perform > calculations. > > Creating Drawings > The OpenOffice.org Writer drawing tool lets you create drawings, > graphics, legends, and other types of drawings directly in text documents. > > Inserting Graphics > You can insert pictures with different formats into a text document, > including graphics with a JPG or GIF format. In addition, the Gallery > provides a collection of clipart graphics, and the Fontwork Gallery > creates stunning font effects. > > Flexible Application Interface > The program interface is designed so that you can configure it according > to your preferences, including customizing icons and menus. You can > position various program windows, such as the Styles and Formatting > window or the Navigator as floating windows anywhere on the screen. You > can also dock some windows to the edge of the workspace. > > Drag&Drop > The drag-and-drop feature enables you to work quickly and efficiently > with text documents in OpenOffice.org. For example, you can > drag-and-drop objects, such as graphics from the Gallery, from one > location to another in the same document, or between open OpenOffice.org > documents. > > > Openoffice does everything MicroSLOTH office does and then some. > > But why tech writers don't use Word & Co and prefer using FrameMaker, LaTEX, Docbook, DITA, etc... ? (I may have some ideas...). Also to answer this is to consider the separation between content and presentation (following MVC design pattern). In that sense, maybe OO can be used to produce DITA XML files, that is, just content ? Anyway, maybe someone here can build a prototype with Open Office, building some templates, checking merging, content referencing, automatic builds, etc... Cheers, Seb --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "jallib" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jallib?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
