The program meeting to open 2008 was a special presentation about tools to author and store XML content that conforms to the DITA specification. On January 15, Jim Tivy, CTO of Bluestream Database Software, presented “Authoring and Publishing with DITA”, using Bluestream xDocs and JustSystems XMetaL.
What sets xDocs apart from other content management systems (CMS) is its multi-layered platform. The XML content is stored in the database server, and duplicated to the local HDDs of workstations running the database client. Authors edit the local copies of the files and upload the changed content to the server. The client application locks the database copy when a file is checked out to avoid multiple authors overwriting each others’ changes. The system also manages revision control.
Traveling XML authors will find this an ideal system to work with. They can lock the files before leaving a network connection, and take their work on the road via their local copies. However, the network security–conscious will be concerned about all this super-secret corporate content stored on local drives. Still, it’s a common need to work with local files copied from corporate servers, and unless you use a CMS, synchronizing edits can be a pain. At least the local copy security problem can easily be solved by password-protected HDDs and data encryption.
XMetaL as an authoring tool hasn’t changed much from its core design, only more visually appealing. It still provides a clean interface to hide the angle-bracketed gobbledegook of XML. In an early interview, Bruce Sharpe, XMetaL’s founding father, said the program targeted the other type of person “who has little knowledge or interest in XML but needs to create structured content for a business application.” Even I, techie that I am, have to admit that when I put on my writing hat, I become that “other type” of person.
I first saw the beauty of XMetaL as an XML content authoring tool at one of my early STC CWC meetings in 2005. While the software product has seen many different owners since its inception in the late 90s, it’s great to see its “proud papa” so heavily involved in directing its future. “Directing” took on a whole new meaning that night, as Bruce produced a video podcast of this meeting, which you can watch by clicking the link above this post.
XMetaL was designed to be customized, with integrating with a CMS being an obvious progression. xDocs is a native XML database system whose power is best seen when supporting an authoring tool. If JustSystems and Bluestream keep up the good work, they will have found a marriage made in heaven. And this podcast could be seen like filming the first dance at their wedding.
This meeting was sponsored in part by Writers UA Conference, whose contributions lowered the cost of this event for STC CWC members.
