New TechDoc Community Of Practice Proving Big Success

TechDoc CoP at XML 2003 - FREE Admission

The TechDoc Community of Practice is holding two town hall meetings during the XML 2003 Conference, on the evenings of Dec 9th & 10th. These meetings are FREE and open to all. A must-attend if you are in the Philadelphia area on those days. Also, a complimentary exhibit pass if you present a copy of DCLnews.

Data Conversion Laboratory (DCL) is co-sponsoring a new professional community called the TechDoc Community of Practice (TechDoc CoP). It is designed to bring together three groups: Implementers of technical documentation standards, companies that create products that utilize those standards, and the people who work on committees designing the standards.

"Until now, there has not been a way for users to act together to lobby these other groups for what they need," explains Brian Travis, founder of the Community of Practice and CTO at Architag International. "Another purpose of the Community of Practice is to get users together with each other to share their experiences."

Webinars

The TechDoc CoP has just completed a seven session webinar series (the last one was on Dec 3), which included DCL speaking on Converting Legacy Documents. Archives for all sessions are available here. If you're interested in further sessions, please let us know topics you would be interested in. Click here to e-mail us.

The series of webinars proved a big success.

"They attracted more than 200 individuals from the largest users of technical documentation systems, plus companies that make products that implement those standards, and even the standards developers themselves," says Travis.

Future

As to the future, more webinars are planned. And Travis would also like to resurrect the popular TechDoc Workshops.

"This was a vital service back when the SGML specification was new. It's even more important now that there are so many different standards available for the implementer and required by various commercial and government sectors," he says.

The Community of Practice will have a presence at the forthcoming XML 2003 Conference in Philadelphia, where it is holding two town hall meetings on the evenings of Dec 9th & 10th. These meetings are FREE and open to all (see box above).

Community of Practice members will also attend the European XML 2003 show in Amsterdam.

Renewed interest

Commenting on his firm's involvement with the Community of Practice, DCL president Mark Gross said: "DCL is proud to be involved in a new community of practice organized for the technical documentation community and others interested in XML and SGML publishing."

He added that the setting up of the TechDoc CoP reflects a renewed interest in using XML for publishing.

The TechDoc CoP operates under the wings of IDEAlliance, which under its former name Graphics Communications Association (GCA) once hosted the TechDoc conferences and workshops.

Besides DCL, the other co-sponsors of TechDoc CoP are: Antenna House, Arbortext, Architag International, Astoria Software, Empolis, Exegenix, Valley Forge Technical Information Services and XyEnterprise.

Content for TechDoc at XML 2003 Conference and Exposition

Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pa.

The seven session webinar series put together by the TechDoc CoP was intended to start community discussion and formulate ongoing activities. Face-to-face, town hall meetings at XML 2003 will enable community members to meet on a personal basis.

• Dynamic Reusability: The Multiple Personalities of an XML Technical Document - Presenter: David W. Cooper, VP/Technology, Antech Systems, Inc., United States; Tues., Dec. 9, 2 p.m.

•  Saving $100 Million a Year with XML and SGML - Presenter: Joe Gollner, President, XIA Systems Corporation, Canada; Tues., Dec 9, 2:45 p.m.

• The XML Technical Publishing Environment - Presenters: Brenda O'Busek, Principal, Technology Design Resources, United States and Betty Harvey, President, Electronic Commerce Connection, Inc., United States; Tues., Dec. 9, 4:45 p.m.

• Adopting XML-Centric Publishing Workflows - Presenter: Daniel Nigloschy, President, Media Entities Inc., United States; Tues., Dec. 9, 4:45 p.m.

• How the US Federal Government is Using XML - Presenter: Kenneth B. Sall,  XML Consultant, SiloSmashers, United States; Thurs., Dec. 11, 2 p.m.

• Use of COTS XML and Web Services Technology for Current and Future DOD C2 Systems - Presenter: Joe J. Molitoris, Lead IS, Mitre; Thurs., Dec. 11, 2 p.m.

In addition to formal TechDoc presentations during XML 2003 program, Birds of a Feather (BoF) lunchtime discussions and evening town hall meetings have been scheduled to enable Community of Practice members to interact throughout the conference.

DCLnews editorial