The strong points of DITA, or how SGML became colloquial.

Continued from Part 1, specialization and constraint and the new version of DITA, v1.3.

DITA is one of the document formats accepted worldwide. Why should we be familiar with it – what’s it all about?

Technical editing departments occasionally have the task of revising CE documents. In the specialist departments later on, they will be confronted with the specialist field of standardization.

A clear method of transferring monolithic product documentation into the modular structure of a content management system.

Increasing mechanization and the resulting flood of information necessitate the effective and efficient absorption of this information.

Today, the Hamburg concept of comprehensibility is a "quasi-standard" that should not be missing from the repertoire of methods used by technical communicators.

Occasionally it happens that in technical editorial offices, text has to be prepared without the structural specifications from standards. Finding order is hard sometimes, isn't it?

Occasionally it happens that in technical editorial offices, text has to be prepared without the structural specifications from standards. Finding a beginning is sometimes hard, isn't it?

iiRDS connects the product documentation of the manufacturers with the information needs of the users and thereby standardizes the electronic documentation.

The increasing use of mobile end devices and controllers with integrated display makes it necessary to create technical documentation for the appropriate output formats.

What requirements must translators fulfill in order to satisfy increasing quality standards in technical documentation?

The Class Concept Technique helps to define models and standards for the creation of topic-oriented information structures. This technique has its roots in computer science and is based on the effort to reuse small units of information in accordance with the single source principle.

Information Mapping is a defined method for analysis, structuring and presentation of information. It is based on research on brain functioning and the needs of readers. Documents created with this method are approx. 40% shorter than documents created using other methods.

As shown in the Learning Nugget “Standardization”, the benefits of using a standardization method are great, and make up most of the effort required in advance. One of the more complex standardization methods is Functional Design.

Standardization can be understood as creating uniformity in the establishment of common rules. Moreover, there is a direct connection between standardization and quality.

In the age of globalization, multilingual documentation is of great importance. Not only does legislation raise requirements, but client demands are also increasing.

Terminology is an important quality factor in technical documentation, as unclear, incorrect or inconsistent terminology can have a negative effect on costs.

The goal-oriented compilation of materials in documents, from a product, and via interviews including the assessment of feedback is a core topic in technical editing.

In technical editorial offices, one-time projects are occasionally undertaken. Dealing with this kind of “project” requires knowledge about project management.

For almost every potentially dangerous product, risk assessments during the creation phase of the product are necessary. How can this be handled?

Based on legal and normative requirements, technical communicators are confronted with the task of creating safety notes.

Technical documents are typically created for a specific product. This procedure can be described with a cycle.

Information products should offer users useful and comprehensible information on handling a product – but you don’t know your users!

Information products should offer users useful and comprehensible information on handling a product – but you don’t know your users!

In this part of the standards series, you will get to know the essential standards recognized worldwide that are relevant to technical editing work.

How do different economic regions arrive at a uniform standard? On the local level, e.g. in Germany, DIN, and in Europe the transnational committee CEN, harmonize standards and make them available as EN. Harmonized here means “recognized”.

It is of fundamental importance for global trade that products from other economic regions comply with the rules of the local market.

Warning messages are based on the duty of manufacturers to guarantee safety for life, health, and matters relating to a product. Safety is defined as the freedom from unacceptable risks. An acceptable risk is thus allowed.

Imagine that you and your editorial team get a large job and have to organize your shared work. You have requirement specifications, and the documents are all supposed to have a coherent appearance later on. You know that one colleague likes to use bulleted lists, another likes creating tables best, and a third enjoys writing prose. What now?

With the reduction of product development cycles and with it, editorial deadlines, standardization on a textual level is increasingly gaining importance.

Typography is the study of characters and fonts and of the graphic design of text. It is not a science, but a craft and an art; more particularly, it has rules that, if observed, strongly influence the legibility and appearance of text as well as page design.