Quick and Easy Usability in XMetaL Author

in 37 minutesEpisode #2: Quick and Easy Usability in XMetaL AuthorPresenter: Tom Magliery XML Technology SpecialistBrought to you by XMetaL Technical Services

XMetaL Author requires a “document customization” for any document typeCustomization includes the DTD/schema, style sheets, element properties, forms, macrosDITA customization is included with XMEEProvides many special features for working with DITABackground: How XMetaL worksThere are 37 holes in the mouthpiece of a telephone (old style).

Default is automatically generatedStyle sheets serviceable, not especially prettyGeneric XML editingE.g., Working Element List and Attribute Inspector, but no DTD-specific menu itemsAuthors can work, but not as efficient as they could beHow can we improve the situation?Techniques applicable both to new and existing customizationsCustomizations for other doctypesAll American Express card numbers start with 37.

Know your users’ needs and wantsStudy authors’ habits and preferencesAnalyze common tasksIdentify inefficienciesNow some examples of low-hanging fruit ...Before you begin“I’m 37, I’m not old” – Dennis the peasant in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”

Modify the style sheetsEasy pickin’s #1

Style sheets are not only for aestheticsAlso should help the author to visualize markupImprove author’s understanding of structureCSS is widely known standardHigh visual impactMinimal effort can yield dramatic changesDon’t forget about Structure View!Separate CSS adds further flexibility#1: Modify the style sheetsBeethoven's symphonies comprise 37 movements.

The Green Monster in Fenway Park is 37 feet tall.Modified DITA CSS37 added lines of codeLook at the differenceStyle sheet example

Make new document templatesEasy pickin’s #2

Built-in templates are simple and genericMake templates that better match your contentInclude all “required” elementsSaves authors timeAdd/modify “replaceable text” hintsElement descriptionsUsage and style guidelines#2: Make new document templates"This is the 37th time I have spoken to you from this office ..." – R. Nixon's resignation speech

Creating templates for XMetaLCreate an XML fileSave it in XMetaL’s template foldersEach subfolder makes a tabNixon was also the 37th President.

Creating templates for DITACreate a DITA file in XMetaLRun the “Save Copy as Template” macroSaves with proper doctype and strips IDsHannibal brought 37 elephants with him on his conquest of Rome.

Change element mini-templatesEasy pickin’s #3Elaine slept with Jerry 37 times.

Same idea as with document templatesExcept they’re littlerChange is in the CTM fileXML fragment for every element#3: Change element mini-templatesCool Hand Luke's prison uniform number is 37.

Write helpful macrosEasy pickin’s #4

Computers are supposed to do the tedious work for us!Identify frequent, repetitive or inefficient actionsWrite macros to do them automaticallyBe sure to assign a hotkeyCan also do menu/toolbar items, but we are looking at minimal effort here#4: Write helpful macrosThe landing slope angle for international ski aerials competition is 37 degrees.

Create special-purpose commands for commonly-used elements: Example: Insert macro<MACRO name="Insert_Unordered_List"hide="false"key="Ctrl+Shift+B"lang="JScript"> <![CDATA[if (Selection.CanInsert("ul")) {Selection.InsertWithTemplate("ul"); }; ]]></MACRO>SPAM was invented in 1937.

No built-in command in XMetaL:“Select entire element contents (not the tags)”But there is an API ... so write a macroExample: Power-user macro<MACRO name="Select_Container_Contents"hide="false"key="Ctrl+Shift+S"lang="JScript"> <![CDATA[ Selection.SelectContainerContents(); ]]></MACRO>There are 37 points in a “perfect” hand in bridge.

Create custom formsEasy pickin’s #5

Sometimes a form-style interface is more understandableUse XFT to create custom forms#5: Create custom formsThe curie, a unit of radiation activity, is 37 billion disintegrations per second.

Developer documentationhttp://na.justsystems.com/content-support-user-guidesXMetaL Customization GuideXMetaL Developer Programmer's GuideXMetaL Community Forumshttp://forums.xmetal.com/JustSystems Partner Centre http://justpartnercenter.com/Is there a way to ... ?The first touchdown pass in Super Bowl history was for 37 yards.

Thank you for attending!Q&A“Thirty-seven!” – Dante in “Clerks”

Quick and Easy Usability in XMetaL Author

More Related Content

Viewers also liked (6)

Similar to Quick and Easy Usability in XMetaL Author (8)

More from XMetaL (6)

Recently uploaded (20)

Quick and Easy Usability in XMetaL Author