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May 9, 2008

Syncro Soft Announces New Release of Oxygen XML Editor, Schema Editor and XSLT/XQuery Debugger

Version 9.2 introduces a new XML Author edition specially tuned for content authors providing a well designed interface for XML editing by keeping only the relevant authoring features. The major additions in Oxygen XML Editor 9.2 are related to the WYSIWYG-like editing support and in particular to the DITA support. The general visual editing improvements include displaying the resolved content in the editor and navigation through links. With the new DITA features that include a new DITA map editor, actions for inserting conref links, a tight integration of the latest version of the DITA Open Toolkit, Oxygen XML Editor becomes an easy to use DITA editor. Other improvements are browsing of XML databases using WebDAV connections, better handling of Chinese, Japanese and Korean (CJK) text, support for the Intel XML Software Suite and multiple component updates. The new Oxygen XML Author is available both as a separate product (standalone and Eclipse plugin) and also as a part of Oxygen XML Editor. The new DITA maps manager allows viewing and editing DITA map files and also acts as a project manager allowing to open different topics for editing. The tool chain for generating DITA output in a multitude of formats (XHTML, PDF, HTML, JavaHelp, Eclipse Help, DocBook, etc.) is ready to use out of the box. Oxygen XML Editor and XSLT Debugger is available immediately in 3 editions: Multi-platform XML Editor Academic/Non-profit license costs USD 48, Multi-platform XML Editor Professional license costs USD 299, and Multi-platform XML Editor Enterprise license costs USD 366. Oxygen XML Author is available immediately in 2 editions: Multi-platform XML Author Professional license costs USD 179, and Multi-platform XML Author Enterprise license costs USD 220. http://www.oxygenxml.com/

May 7, 2008

Inmedius Debuts S1000Dmanager V3.0 S1000D Publication Lifecycle Management System

Inmedius, Inc. announced the release of S1000Dmanager V3.0, the next evolution in their S1000D management. The system's new platform facilitates the professional management of content, delivering the tools and information needed to efficiently manage the S1000D publication process. Manager's technical publication lifecycle architecture adds a library and centralized control center to the system's S1000D project setup and management support capabilities. The combination of a flexible library system, Dashboard approach, and integrated business intelligence provides complete command over information assets. New functionality in the S1000Dmanager V3.0 release includes a library system where users access and view information organized by Standard Numbering System (SNS). S1000D projects are managed from within the document library where multiple users, with security access, can edit project information. Another new feature is managing Data Module Requirements Lists (DMRL) as separate XML documents that may be checked out, issued, approved, and that have their own workflow. With quantitative metrics, the new, centralized Dashboard provides transparency and a visual representation of the S1000D technical documentation process. Publication managers are able to monitor organizational efficiency, identify problem or choke points in the process, and adjust resources as necessary to ensure project deliveries are on time and within budget. In conjunction with the upcoming release of S1000DauthorPro, Manager V3.0 will include editing and management capabilities in support of S1000D Specification Issue 3.0 requirements. Manager and AuthorPro are two of seven modules in the Inmedius S1000D Publishing Suite. http://www.inmedius.com

May 6, 2008

XyEnterprise Release ContentaView 3.5

XyEnterprise announced the release of ContentaView 3.5. ContentaView 3.5 adds support for advanced applicability filtering for the S1000D V3.0 applicability model and process data modules. It also provides enhanced content reuse, searching, reporting and audit trail capabilities. All of this is readily configurable to support specific customer requirements. Users can ensure they are working with the current approved version of content via the new One Click update feature, which provides an immediate method to install incremental updates from within ContentaView. ContentaView 3.5 can be configured to track not only the manual updates for each work station where it is installed, but also each section viewed, and every keystroke entered by a maintenance technician. A log of each session is captured in XML format, and can be routed as appropriate to confirm regulatory compliance or improve the maintenance function. The enhanced applicability feature allows consumers to filter the content they see based on applicability criteria relevant to their organization and document types. For example, an end user may select the "expert" version of content for one product while another may choose to view the "novice" content for a second product. ContentaView V3.5 now includes a new generic forms utility which provides the ability to create online forms that can capture any type of information to help improve the product, process or user experience. From within ContentaView, a user can then access, complete and print these forms. http://www.xyenterprise.com/

May 1, 2008

Altova Adds Word 2007 (OOXML) Capabilities to its Graphical Stylesheet Design Tool

Altova announced the availability of Altova StyleVision Version 2008 Release 2 (v2008r2). The latest update to StyleVision provides users with numerous features and enhancements, including capabilities for generating output in Microsoft Word 2007, which uses the Office Open XML (OOXML) file format, support for grouping functionality when designing XSLT 2.0 stylesheets, and more, all at a significantly reduced price point compared to previous versions. Altova StyleVision is a drag-and-drop, visual stylesheet design tool for transforming XML and database content into HTML pages, RTF documents, PDF reports, Word 2007 (OOXML) documents, and electronic forms for use with Altova Authentic StyleVision produces all these output documents, as well as the corresponding XSLT and XSL:FO stylesheets. StyleVision will now generate the corresponding XSLT 2.0 code for output in Word 2007 in addition to the other stylesheet and output formats listed above. Now available in StyleVision v2008r2 is a feature that allows users to exploit XSLT 2.0 grouping functionality. StyleVision v2008r2 allows users to create global templates based on the complex and simple types defined in the XML Schema specification. Support for database views allows users to create and render custom virtual tables based on the result set of a query. Designers can add complexity to their database reporting designs with new support for inline primary key / foreign key creation. In addition, StyleVision now supports any SQL SELECT statement as input for rendering. Altova StyleVision Version 2008 Release 2 is currently available in Standard, Professional, and Enterprise Editions, each of which provides increasingly advanced functionality. Prices of all three editions have been significantly reduced and start at $139 (USD). http://www.altova.com

April 24, 2008

CSOFT to Focus on CMS Localization Process

CSOFT International Ltd., a Beijing based provider of multilingual localization, testing and outsourced software development for the global market, announced a dedicated division focused on content management system (CMS) translation and localization solutions. "While CMS provides robust solutions for source content development, it also brings new challenges to documentation localization by introducing changes to existing workflow. Unlike traditional documentation localization using FrameMaker, Word or HTML-based content, the highly technical nature of structured XML presents a number of issues in the localization process. Even experienced translators may have difficulty deciphering complex XML tags resulting in mistranslations or even severe damage to source files." CSOFT employs an array of turnkey solutions that support a client's choice in content development. Powered by experienced technical translators and advanced localization engineers, CSOFT is able to streamline CMS localization. CSOFT provides XML training to our in-country technical translators to better understand structured language as well as XML tagging. By also helping our clients control terminology, language, and proper XML handling during the initial writing stages in a CMS environment, CSOFT simplifies the translation process for XML based content. http://www.csoftintl.com

April 21, 2008

XyEnterprise Releases New Version of Contenta S1000D

XyEnterprise has released an update to their Contenta S1000D content management software that provides expanded support for the S1000D specification. It is used by authors, editors and publishers for the creation, management and delivery of technical documentation. Contenta S1000D provides an integrated workflow that can clearly distinguish between work-in-process and approved or published content. It can control access to data modules based on user roles and project status, provide locking mechanisms to prevent inadvertent parallel editing, and provide reports on due dates and status throughout the entire editorial and publishing process. This update to Contenta S1000D includes enhancements that automate many of the tasks required in an S1000D environment. Tools for creating and managing Standard Numbering Systems, Data Module Requirements Lists, Data Dispatch Notes and S1000D project management have been improved to provide an out-of-the-box S1000D environment that will work well for organizations at any stage in the adoption of S1000D. The Contenta S1000D software leverages Contenta's object-oriented architecture, history, version control and automated workflow. It can also manage and store legacy SGML and XML content written to other standards, as well as graphics and unstructured content such as FrameMaker and Word. Contenta S1000D provides the infrastructure, application integration and comprehensive tool set required to work with the S1000D standard across the information lifecycle. http://www.xyenterprise.com/

April 9, 2008

MediaSpan Embeds IBM Informix Dynamic Server Software for Delivering News to Print, Web and Wireless Devices

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced that MediaSpan Group, Inc., provider of content management and workflow solutions for the Web publishing, magazine, and newspaper markets, will support IBM's Informix Dynamic Server (IDS 11) software to help manage news content delivery to print, online, and wireless news services. IDS 11 will be used with MediaSpan's Jazbox editorial software, a content management solution with an emphasis on connecting news organizations and publishing news to print, web and wireless simultaneously. With a database-centered structure, Jazbox conforms to an individual newspaper's workflow needs, streamlining them, yet allowing for edits to the news copy in the midst of the production cycle. http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/informix/ids/

April 7, 2008

IXIASOFT Announce Availability of DITA CMS Framework 2.1

IXIASOFT announced the availability of the DITA CMS Framework 2.1. Not only is the latest version compatible with DITA 1.1. With its new capabilities, the DITA CMS Framework provides technical communicators with advanced project management features and support WYSIWYG for DITA bookmaps. The project management functionality offers an overview of multi-deliverable projects that may include documents as diverse as installation instructions, training packages and reference documentation. Project managers will use this feature to select the staff who will be responsible for documentation and review, for setting up review dates for the maps that make up a project and for specifying the languages in which each map should be translated to. In its latest version, the DITA CMS Framework supports DITA bookmaps directly within its DITA Map editor. Therefore, technical communicators now have a user friendly interface not only to create DITA bookmaps but also to help them qualify specific sections of a book. All of the already available DITA Map editor features - including map comparison, drag and drop of topics between maps and nesting and cloning of maps - will also be accessible to manage DITA bookmaps. http://www.ixiasoft.com

March 31, 2008

Inventive Designer Adds Online eForms to Scriptura

Inventive Designers introduced interactive eForms as part of their XML-based document solution Scriptura. These eForms are incorporated in the latest version of Scriptura, Inventive Designers' WYSIWYG solution that enables any kind of document or business output to be generated from any kind of data, and subsequently to be transmitted to any output channel. "The 'intelligent' forms see to it that end users are only required to provide the information that is relevant to them. The online application adapts to the profile of the person filling in the form as it were." The eForms are generated in the same environment as the environment where other documents are developed, published or processed. Which means the solution helps guarantee consistent paper and digital communications. With Scriptura being platform-independent, it runs on all existing operating systems (Windows, Linux, ...). In addition, the data gathered via the electronic forms can be entered into any database and CRM system, running on any system, and vice versa. http://www.inventivedesigners.be/scriptura/intelligent_forms.html

March 18, 2008

SDL Announces Global Authoring Management System

SDL announced the release of SDL Global Authoring Management System, a global authoring system based on SDL AuthorAssistant. The system is used to help companies to improve brand consistency, increase the efficiency of their global authoring process and reduce time-to-market for global content. Through its centralized system which checks against corporate assets, SDL Global Authoring Management System (SDL Global AMS) enables enterprise-wide consistency of terminology, style and linguistic best practices, as well as maximizing the reuse of previously written content. The upgraded system is now tightly linked with SDL's automated translation technology, allowing authors to create content that is better prepared for automated translation. The post-processing required from automated translation is then significantly reduced. Other enhancements in SDL Global Authoring Management System include sophisticated linguistic and grammatical enhancements, enhanced collaboration throughout the content lifecycle, and centralized access for enterprise-wide configuration and profile management. For more information on SDL Global Authoring Management System visit http://www.sdl.com

March 17, 2008

MadCap Software Unveils Roadmap for Native XML Family of Documentation and Content Authoring Products

MadCap Software unveiled its roadmap for a complete, native XML software family designed to solve all of a company's documentation and authoring demands. The MadCap family will include five new products: MadCap Blaze, MadCap Press, MadCap Team Server, MadCap X-Edit, and MadCap X-Edit Express, as well as enhanced versions of MadCap Analyzer, MadCap Flare, MadCap Lingo and MadCap Mimic. The integrated MadCap family will provide companies with a solution for developing and delivering content in print, online and on the Web in their language of choice. The entire MadCap product family is based on a common native XML architecture to provide a complete workflow solution, from authoring and multimedia creation; to collaboration, reporting and analysis; to translation and localization. The MadCap family features twelve integrated products for content development and delivery, collaboration, and localization. The solutions are based on the same XML architecture with Unicode support that drives MadCap's main product, Flare, a native XML multi-channel, single-source content authoring solution. All products also utilize MadCap's XML user interface, which enables users to take advantage of XML without writing code. The beta version of Blaze is now available as a free 30-day trial release, which can be downloaded at http://www.madcapsoftware.com/

March 10, 2008

IAI and Across Systems Announce Strategic Partnership

IAI and Across Systems announced a strategic partnership and collaboration for interfaces between the CLAT (Controlled Language Authoring Tool) from IAI and the translation management system of Across. The integration of the two technologies enables automated and seamless inclusion of quality checks for extensive texts in the authoring or translation process, such as multilingual manuals or product catalogs. CLAT from IAI (Institute for Applied Information Science at Saarland University) facilitates quality proofing of texts, for example, to verify compliance with grammar rules or terminology conventions. CLAT is based on the same technology as the "DUDEN Korrektor," which is sold by Brockhaus Publishers. CLAT can also automatically check the uniformity of a text for company-specific standards such as corporate wording. Thus, there is no need for manual reconciliation with internal style guides. The Language Server of Across Systems is a software platform for all corporate language resources and translation processes. In addition to a translation memory and a terminology system, it comprises components for project management and workflow control. Industrial enterprises and language service providers use the Across Language Server for tasks such as the composition and translation of manuals, product catalogs, and other documents in multiple languages. The quality management of the source text and translations is complemented by the rules-based approach of CLAT. http://www.Across.net, http://www.iai-sb.de

Near-Time Announces Near-Time Connection for Mobile Collaboration

Near-Time announced the availability of Near-Time Connection, an extension of Near-Time's collaboration and publishing capabilities for mobile devices and other Web platforms. Near-Time Connection packages the functionality of Near-Time into a Widget, providing a flexible way to access content and interact with users associated with Near-Time spaces from smart phones, blogs or personalized homepage portals like iGoogle. Near-Time Connection is free to Near-Time users. Near-Time Connection gives users an interactive platform that lets them stay plugged into their Near-Time community no matter how they choose to view their content. The authoring environment, similar to that of Near-Time's desktop offerings, enables users to remain active in their Near-Time communities when on the road or using a homepage portal. Users can embed other Near-Time Widgets, tag content for better search capabilities, and follow comment summaries, threads and Near-Time picks. http://www.near-time.com/

March 4, 2008

Sajan Releases Language Translation Search Technology

Sajan announced the release of their new search and match engine, TMate Search Technology. TMate Search technology is an advanced search and match engine that is optimized for multilingual content. TMate Search Technology has a learning agent that improves traditional search methods. The learning agent offers intelligent search options which don't simply deliver more multilingual returns, but the algorithm also qualifies those returns. TMate's multilingual index was built to support the enterprise enabling corporations to process even the highest volume of data at faster rates.

Quark Launches Dynamic Publishing Solution

Quark Inc. announced that it is leveraging its existing desktop publishing, server and collaborative workflow expertise to launch a new enterprise solution in the dynamic publishing market. Called Quark Dynamic Publishing Solution (DPS), the publishing solution combines flexible layout with automated publishing to create and deliver communications across multiple types of media, including print, the Web, mobile and electronic devices. Quark DPS consists of multiple software components, including desktop tools for creating content, and server-based technology for automating publishing workflows. It is based on standards to allow for easy integration with enterprise content management systems and other business applications. Dynamic publishing is built on the foundation of rich design tools, like QuarkXPress, however, the component-centric publishing process allows designers to reduce time spent managing manual and repetitive processes. With Quark DPS, designers are able to maintain creative freedom while automating the process of customized document production. http://www.quark.com

February 28, 2008

Mzinga Announces New Release of Firefly Collaborative Authoring Suite

Mzinga announced the immediate availability of its new Firefly Collaborative Authoring Suite, composed of the company's Firefly Simulation Developer and Firefly Publisher tools. Firefly 5.0, the latest version of the company's Firefly Simulation Developer tool, features enhancements to the product's three fundamental capabilities: depth and quality of the capture technology, overall instructional design and development flexibility, and an engaging end-user learning experience. Mzinga has enhanced Firefly's capture capabilities by extending support .Net, and newer coding models such as those involving doctypes. Firefly also fully supports the tabbed interface of Internet Explorer 7.0. Firefly Publisher 3.2 enables team-based authoring of interactive eLearning courses in a Web-based environment. All Firefly Publisher courses (regardless of version) now support Firefox and other Gecko-based browsers, such as Mozilla SeaMonkey, as well as the Mac OS X and Linux operating systems. Additionally, the Firefly Publisher user interface can now be localized to any language. A new Flash-based engine provides better development control of shapes and other design elements, and new configuration options allow learners to be redirected to specific locations within a course based on test results. SCORM course completion conditions can also be fully configured to address varied corporate learning standards. http://www.mzinga.com

February 27, 2008

Zoho Updates Zoho Writer

Zoho Writer now supports exporting to DocX, the new Microsoft OOXML file format for Word. They already support ODF Export/Import in Zoho Writer. Currently you can export any of your documents in Zoho Writer as a DocX file. This is in addition to the already available export options - DOC, TXT, HTML, PDF, ODF, SXW and RTF. They will soon be supporting DocX import as well. They have also added a Thesaurus option (in 10 languages). Right-click on a word, choose the 'Thesaurus' option from the contextual menu to view the synonyms and related words. The current version of Thesaurus is used primarily for lookup purposes. In the next version, they plan to enhance this functionality further to replace the words with selected ones from thesaurus. Languages supported in Thesaurus: English, Czech, German, Greek, French, Irish, Italian, Polish, Russian and Slovak. We will keep adding more language options in future updates. You can also now share documents with groups, avoiding the need to enter multiple email addresses each time you share a document. To share a document with a group, click on 'Share' and select the 'Share with Groups' tab. You can create new groups in your 'My Account' section. These groups will be visible across all Zoho Applications. All Zoho Writer documents, when exported to DocX, ODF, SXW and RTF, now retain the endnotes/footnotes correctly. Headers/Footers support is further enhanced in this latest update. Full support is available when you export documents to DocX, ODF, SXW and RTF. http://www.zoho.com

February 4, 2008

JustSystems Announces DITA Maturity Model Co-Authored with IBM

JustSystems, Inc. announced the availability of the “DITA Maturity Model,” which was co-authored with IBM and defines a graduated, step-by-step methodology for implementing Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA). One of DITA's features is its support for incremental adoption. Users can start with DITA using a subset of its capabilities, and then add investment over time as their content strategy evolves and expands to cover more requirements and content areas. However, this continuum of adoption has also resulted in confusion, as communities at different stages of adoption claim radically different numbers for cost of migration and return on investment. The DITA Maturity Model addresses this confusion by dividing DITA adoption into six levels, each with its own required investment and associated return on investment. Users can assess their own capabilities and goals relative to the model and choose the initial adoption level appropriate for their needs and schedule. The six levels of DITA adoption include: Level 1: Topics - The most minimum DITA adoption requires the migration of the current XML content sources; Level 2: Scalable Reuse - The major activity at this level is to break down the content in topics that are stored as individual files and use DITA maps to collect and organize the content into reusable units for assembly into specific deliverables; Level 3: Specialization and Customization - Now, users expand the information architecture to be a full content model, which explicitly defines the different types of content required to meet different author and audience needs and specify how to meet these needs using structured, typed content; Level 4: Automation and Integration - Once content is specialized, users can leverage their investments in semantics with automation of key processes and begin tying content together even across different specializations or authoring disciplines; Level 5: Semantic Bandwidth - As DITA diversifies to occupy more roles within an organization, a cross-application, cross-silo solution that shares DITA as a common semantic currency lets groups use the toolset most appropriate for their content authoring and management needs; Level 6: Universal Semantic Ecosystem - As DITA provides for scalable semantic bandwidth across content silos and applications, a new kind of semantic ecosystem emerges: Semantics that can move with content across old boundaries, wrap unstructured content, and provide validated integration with semi-structured content and managed data sources. http://www.ibm.com, http://na.justsystems.com

January 14, 2008

MadCap Software Debuts MadCap Lingo & MadCap Analyzer

MadCap Software announced MadCap Lingo, an XML-based, integrated translation memory system and authoring tool, aimed at eliminating the need for file transfers in order to complete translation. Document components, such as tables of content, topics, index keywords, concepts, glossaries, and variables all remain intact throughout the translation and localization process, so there is never a need to recreate them. MadCap Lingo also is integrated with MadCap Flare and MadCap Blaze, and it is Unicode enabled to help documentation professionals deliver a consistent user experience in print, online, and in any language. MadCap Lingo is being announced in conjunction with the new MadCap Analyzer, software that proactively recommends documentation content and design improvements. MadCap Lingo works with MadCap Flare, the company's native-XML authoring product, and MadCap Blaze, the native-XML tool for publishing long print documents, which will be generally available in early 2008. A user creates a MadCap Lingo project to access the source content in a Flare or Blaze project via a shared file structure. Working through Lingo's interface, the user accesses and translates the content. Because the content never actually leaves the structure of the original Flare or Blaze project, all the content and formatting is preserved in the translated version. Once a project is translated, it is opened in either Flare or Blaze, which generates the output and facilitates publishing. At the front end of the process, Flare and Blaze can import a range of document types to create the source content. Following translation, the products provide single-source delivery to multiple formats online and off, including the Internet, intranets, CDs, and print. MadCap Lingo is available and is priced at $2,199 per license, but is available at an introductory price of $899 for a limited time. MadCap Lingo also is available on a subscription basis for $649 per year. Fees for support start at $449 per year. http://www.madcapsoftware.com/