John HuntJohn Hunt is a member of the DITA Technical Committee and chair of the Learning and Training Content Subcommittee. John has worked in structured user assistance and eLearning tools at Lotus (and now IBM) for many years. With Don Day, he introduced DITA at the WinWriters conference in 2000. He is co-author of several papers on DITA at the IBM developerWorks. An XML-based information architecture for learning content, Part 1: A DITA specialization design Can topic-based DITA XML provide the basis for developing an information architecture for single-sourced XML learning content? This article builds directly on the rich background about reusable content and e-learning delivery in the learning and training fields. Here in Part 1, the authors posit a set of extensions to DITA XML that provide the starting point for a unifying content model for learning. In Part 2, they test their assumptions against pilot content from a training course developed to support a component feature of IBM® DB2 Query Monitor™, and then report their findings and suggest important next steps. An XML-based information architecture for learning content, Part 2: A DITA content pilot Find out how topic-based DITA XML can provide the basis for developing an information architecture for single-sourced XML learning content. Part 1 of this two-part series presented a set of extensions to DITA XML that provide the starting point for a unifying content model for learning. Here in Part 2, the authors test their assumptions against pilot content from a training course developed to support a component feature of IBM® DB2 Query Monitor™, and then report their findings and suggest important next steps. Why use DITA to produce HTML deliverables? The Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) is an XML-based format for structuring and authoring technical content. This article explores advantages DITA provides for producing HTML content -- including easy global changes, portability through standards, superior linking and Web management, conditional processing, content and design reuse, and better writing through focused content. DITA consolidates all of the benefits in a consistent, overall information architecture that can evolve and grow along with your product information needs and delivery modes, and with the evolution of standard tools for delivering XML as the presentation mechanism. Design patterns for information architecture with DITA map domains The Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) provides maps for assembling topics into deliverables. By specializing the map elements, you can define a formal information architecture for your deliverables. This architecture provides guidance to authors on how to organize topics and lets processes recognize your organizing principles, resulting in a consistent, clear experience for your users. Up to People. |
