Re: [xml-dev] RE: Basic Information on XML

At 2003-07-23 13:12 +0100, Louise Lister wrote:
>I am totally new to all of this and I am a commercial product manager as 
>opposed to a 'techie'.

You've hit a decidedly techie list and might be better served for more 
general questions at a list such as:

   http://listserv.heanet.ie/xml-l.html
   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/XMLNewbies/

>We are looking at XML as an option for delivering invoice information 
>currently

What XML brings to that scenario is the platform, operating system and 
application independence in the data format used to capture invoice (or 
*any* other) information.  Your environment can generate the invoice 
information using any software you wish, you can deliver the information 
structured using XML syntax, and your customers can access your information 
using any software they wish.

>and so whilst totally lost as to your conversations due to my total 
>ignorance, would be grateful if someone could point me in the direction to 
>find out about :
>
>* xml and its definition (no jargon, no sweeping statements)

   http://xml.coverpages.org/xml.html

>* example formats

   http://xml.coverpages.org/xmlApplications.html
   http://xml.coverpages.org/gen-apps.html
   http://xml.coverpages.org/gov-apps.html
   http://xml.coverpages.org/acadapps.html

>* architectural requirements e.g over and above bill formatting to print 
>bureau etc

Printing XML is a specialized area in which I am having a lot of fun 
participating and teaching.  Just as there are XML structures for invoicing 
that are independent of platform, application, etc., there happens to be 
XML structures for printing that are independent of platform, application, etc.

The XML vocabulary to express one's intent for printing is named 
XSL-FO.  You can find introductory material on our web site noted below by 
downloading a free 240-page excerpt of an electronic book that we sell on 
this topic.  A sister specification, XSLT, can be used to transform your 
XML information into the XSL-FO structure suitable for printing.

While not knowing your existing print bureau situation, XSL-FO deployments 
have modest architectural requirements and would, I believe, compare very 
well in terms of ramp-up and deployment.  A note of caution, though, XSL-FO 
is in its first iteration and addresses most people's requirements but an 
analysis of your needs and some prototyping would ensure the currently 
available implementations of XSL-FO can meet any exotic formatting 
requirements you may currently be using.

>* benefits over and above EDIFACT  ( also differences)

EDIFACT standards express electronic commerce information in a cryptic 
human-illegible message format and utilize expensive private value-added 
networks to transport these messages between parties.

The combination of ebXML and UBL standards express electronic commerce 
information in an exposed human-legible message format and utilize open 
Internet-based methods to transport these messages between parties:

    http://ebXML.org
    http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/ubl/

I currently chair the Forms Presentation Subcommittee (FPSC) in UBL, 
chartered with writing the formatting specifications for message 
visualization: taking an instance of XML going from computer to computer 
and exposing the content in a human-friendly presentation:

    http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/ubl/fpsc

XML has been a tremendous benefit to many users and creators of 
information, and there are many in our community who would be willing to 
help you better understand your needs and your objectives in light of the 
benefits XML brings to the table.  Please don't let the esoteric 
discussions in this forum give you an incorrect impression of complexity or 
difficulty when working with these technologies ... it really is very 
simple.  This forum typically discusses not-so-simple perspectives.

I hope this is considered useful.

......................... Ken

--
Upcoming hands-on courses: in-house corporate training available;
North America public:  XSL-FO Aug 4,2003; XSLT/XPath Aug 12, 2003

G. Ken Holman                mailto:
Crane Softwrights Ltd.         http://www.CraneSoftwrights.com/x/
Box 266, Kars, Ontario CANADA K0A-2E0   +1(613)489-0999 (F:-0995)
ISBN 0-13-065196-6                      Definitive XSLT and XPath
ISBN 0-13-140374-5                              Definitive XSL-FO
ISBN 1-894049-08-X  Practical Transformation Using XSLT and XPath
ISBN 1-894049-11-X              Practical Formatting Using XSL-FO
Member of the XML Guild of Practitioners:    http://XMLGuild.info
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