The Extensible Markup Language (XML) is an open, general-purpose specification for creating markup languages. Its primary purpose is to help information systems share structured data, particularly via the Internet, and it is used both to encode documents and to serialize data. It is used in a wide variety of technical communication document formats, including Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, XHTML, DITA, DocBook, and RSS, among others.
#25039
XML: The Answer to Everything?
This article weighs the pros and cons of XML for some applications (publishing), and explores why it is the best possible solution for many programming and publishing needs.
Ethier, Kay and Scott Abel. Free Software Magazine (2005). Articles>Information Design>XML
#27797
XML: the Future of Windows Help?
For a long time we've been told that XML Help is the future. So is it? In this article, David Rose examines the current state of the online help development industry and the direction it is heading.
Rose, David. Armada Online (2005). Articles>Documentation>Help>XML
#18209
Extensible Markup Language (XML) is often touted as revolutionary breakthrough in information management. A more realistic description is that XML is one very good tool among many used to handle information. It's true that XML could potentially save your company a great deal of money—but that depends on your circumstances. In some cases, migration to XML will be expensive. You need to know if you'll get a reasonable return on your investment. The purpose of this paper is to help you ask the right questions.
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我们可以使用多种方法，通过XML描述用户界面。事实上，XML是在HTML的基础上成长起来的，而HTML则是一种当前流行的面向网络的用户界面。有了XML，你就可以使用用许多方便快捷的技巧创建有用的和可用的用户界面。
ZDNet (2002). (Chinese) Design>User Interface>XML
#22198
XMLIreland Special Interest Group
The Irish XML Special Interest Group, is an informal, not-for-profit trade association, whose members subscribe to an electronic forum and attend monthly events on topics surrounding XML.
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Review: XMLmind XML Editor v3.0
XMLmind is a great introductory tool for technical writers entering the world of structured authoring and DocBook. It successfully hides the esoterics of XML markup from the author, so that the focus can be on the words, rather than the code. At no cost (yes, absolutely free) for the Standard edition, and USD220 for a single user licence for the Professional Edition, XMLmind offers excellent value. The software is available for Linux, Windows and Mac. There are two main problems with XMLmind XML Editor: it does not currently support DITA schemas, and it does not incorporate a (Notepad-like) text editor in case you do need to patch up your code.
Self, Tony. HyperWrite (2007). Articles>Reviews>Software>XML
#27660
XQuery speeds up the process of finding information contained in an XML document, which is very handy when dealing with long XML documents. This article, the first of two parts, will teach you how to write XQuery expressions.
Dev Articles (2006). Articles>Information Design>Databases>XML
#30105
New office document standards like the OpenDocument Format(ODF) and Office Open XML (OOXML), however, are making office document integration in business processes a reality. A key benefit of ODF and OOXML for developers is the reuse of existing standards.
Van Cappellen, Marc. Dr. Dobb's (2007). Design>Information Design>Software>XML
#27661
XQuery speeds up the process of finding information contained in an XML document -- which is very handy when dealing with long XML documents. This article, the second of two parts, will teach you how to write XQuery expressions.
Dev Articles (2006). Articles>Information Design>Databases>XML
#26046
XrML and Emerging Models of Content Development and Distribution 
With the publication of XrML 2.0, ContentGuard provides an open, flexible, and extensible means of expressing digital rights that not only addresses copy protection, but, as importantly, offers a much broader and powerful means for publishers to experiment with and deploy new business models.
Trippe, Bill. Gilbane Report (2005). Articles>Content Management>Standards>XML
#22590
XSLT Programmer's Reference: XSLT in Context
The purpose of XSLT, what kind of language it is, and how it fits in with other technologies you're likely to use in a typical Web-based application.
Kay, Michael. XML Advisor (2004). Design>Web Design>XML>XSL
#30455
In Mozilla-based applications, the yellow screen of death is the screen displayed when they encounter an XML parsing error. This typically happens when the XML document that the browser is trying to access is not well-formed, for example when it does not nest tags properly.
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Перево XML- окументовс помощью xml:tm
Рано или поздно созданный вами XML-документ кто-то захочет перевести на другой язык. В действительности XML-документы переводить гораздо легче нежели другие электронные документы, т. к. они разделяют форму и содержание и соответствуют строгому стандарту и установленному синтаксису.
Zydron, Andrzej. XMLhack.ru (2004). (Russian) Design>Web Design>Localization>XML
#32083
The Steepest Part of the Learning Curve is Right at the Start
Microsoft has a lot of information on their sites about these products. Unfortunately, I can never find it. I usually only know it’s there when I stumble on it months after I really needed to know it. The steepest part of the learning curve is at the start. Likewise with another program I use occasionally—DITA. DITA is an xml schema used for writing documentation.
Technical Writer (2008). Articles>Documentation>XML>DITA
#32090
Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) Reading List
Here’s a reading list for DITA materials when you’re just getting started. I’ve been fielding some questions via email and IM about DITA lately, and pulled this blog post out of my drafts. I hope it’s helpful.
Gentle, Anne. Just Write Click (2008). Articles>Bibliographies>XML>DITA
#32091
A brief overview for a couple of fellow Austin writers who have asked me recently how and where to get started with DITA.
Gentle, Anne. Just Write Click (2007). Articles>Information Design>XML>DITA
#32102
In this conclusion to a three-part series on path expressions, you'll learn about complex predicates, dynamic paths, and more. This article is excerpted from chapter four of the book XQuery.
Walmsley, Priscilla. Dev Articles (2008). Articles>Information Design>XML>XSL
#32179
Paradigm Shifts are Never Pretty: Advice on Making the Move to XML Authoring
The move toward XML-based authoring in technical publications is a classic paradigm shift. It requires content creators to change their writing process and learn new concepts.
O'Keefe, Sarah S. TechCom Manager (2008). Articles>Writing>XML>Technical Writing
#32180
Authoring in XML -- Why Start?
As techcom professionals, we have been talking about authoring in XML for a very long time. At first, it was a lot of hype about a format that required major programming skills and had zero tools’ support, but that is now changing. Today, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tools that support XML and a standard called DITA that is in constant development to support content publishing for different industries. As a result, more and more companies seem to be embracing this content format.If you are a writer or techcom manager who is encouraging your company to make this change, then what do you need to know to prepare?
Stuhlemmer, Barbara. TechCom Manager (2008). Articles>Writing>XML>DITA
#32185
XML Authoring: Coming to a Desktop Near You
Organizations are moving business documents to structured XML authoring -- a technology that was once reserved for only the bravest of technical publications departments. They are using new tools that make the transition much easier, even for completely non-technical authors, and they are reaping benefits that will drive structured authoring in XML across the entire organization.
Abel, Scott. TechCom Manager (2007). Articles>Writing>XML
#32186
Who Says You Can't Use Microsoft Word To Do XML?
MS Word is not an XML authoring tool, no matter what your IT team believes. While Word may indeed understand and use some XML, it doesn't use XML in the way technical communicators need it to. Instead, it uses XML to transfer information back and forth between MS Office products. Useful? Yes. XML authoring? Not even close.
Abel, Scott. TechCom Manager (2007). Articles>Writing>XML>Microsoft Word
#32227
In the past few years, we have implemented both DITA-based and custom XML solutions for our customers. Given the right set of circumstances, DITA provides an excellent foundation for structured content. But I seem to be in significant disagreement with DITA advocates about how often the "right set of circumstances" is present.
O'Keefe, Sarah S. Carolina Communique (2008). Articles>Documentation>XML>DITA
#32239
RELAX NG is not a capitalized misspelling of something you probably get to do all too rarely as a busy programmer and web designer. If you use XML to any great degree, you'll want to take a close look at it. It can help make your life as a web developer easier, allowing you to relax a little more.
McCullough, Peyton. Dev Articles (2008). Articles>Web Design>Information Design>XML
#32240
XML schemas don't have to be rigid. Sometimes, it's best to provide flexibility and allow the author of XML documents to make choices. In this second part of a three-part article, we'll make some modifications to the schema we created in the first part, and learn how to make some things optional.
McCullough, Peyton. Dev Articles (2008). Articles>Web Design>Information Design>XML
#32241
Datatypes and More in RELAX NG
Welcome to the third part of a three-part series on RELAX NG. In this part, we will discuss datatypes, the grammar element, and creating named patterns.
McCullough, Peyton. Dev Articles (2008). Articles>Web Design>Information Design>XML
