RE: [dita] DITA backlash

Bob,

 

I appreciate you pointing out the definition of topic used by Information Mapping, and I agree that DITA can model that use of “topic” if used appropriately.
 And I also agree wholeheartedly that DITA is a TOOL, not a methodology. I think that is a crucial distinction missed by many who enter the DITA world without proper grounding in the principles of structured writing.

 

However, I will agree with Ms. Haworth that DITA does not make developing well-structured content particularly easy. But perhaps the blame for that is the tool-development
 community. So many of the authoring tools seem to focus on topic writing but do not adequately provide the means for incorporating those topics into meaningful structure. Just supporting a DITA map view is not enough in my opinion.

 

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m very happy to see Adobe’s commitment to supporting DITA authoring in FrameMaker (and I’m not saying that I think they haven’t
 made mistakes, just that they seem to be making an honest effort).

 

Regards,

Mike

 

Mike Austin

Content Information Architect

AISG Information Development Systems & Methodologies

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Office +1 512 895 8910



 

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From:  [mailto:]
On Behalf Of Bob Thomas

Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 9:16 AM

To: Kristen James Eberlein

Cc: DITA TC

Subject: Re: [dita] DITA backlash

 

Hi Kris,

I think that Ms. Haworth has a different understanding of what a topic is supposed to be. She believes that a topic is a unit of presentation. I always go back to what Robert Horn says in Information Mapping. A topic is a unit of information that answers a
 single question, or serves a single purpose, for the reader. This deeper meaning of what constitutes a topic is one that DITA models.

The other thing worth noting is that DITA is a tool. When that tool is used by people who do not understand the craft, bad things happen. There is a false expectation among many that DITA will turn a poor or marginal technical writer into a good one. DITA can
 help in that process, but on its own it's not sufficient.

Best Regards,

On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 6:21 AM, Kristen James Eberlein <> wrote:

http://focusonreaders.blogspot.ca/2012/07/case-study-dita-topic-architecture.html

-- 

Best,

 Kris

 Kristen James Eberlein

Principal consultant, Eberlein Consulting

Co-chair, OASIS DITA Technical Committee

Charter member, OASIS DITA Adoption Committee

www.eberleinconsulting.com

+1 919 682-2290; kriseberlein (skype)

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