Oops! I saw this too late. I posted a reply to the other topic... You can control Open Office via SDK and python if you want (this is what they say at http://api.openoffice.org/).
On Sep 22, 10:52 am, Sebastien Lelong <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
