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http://norman.walsh.name/knows/what/norman.walsh.name

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http://norman.walsh.name/

Wikipedia

DocBook

Specification

Essays

Numbered program listings, 19 May 2012
Putting line numbers in program listings is harder than it looks.
XInclude 1.1 requirements, 20 Feb 2012
XInclude 1.1 attempts to address a couple of new use cases.
DocBook XSD!, 22 Dec 2011
I believe that I've resolved the ambiguity problems evident in the previous release.
DocBook XSD?, 19 Dec 2011
But is it valid? Not the document, the schema?
DocBook Stylesheets 2.0.3 released, 01 Dec 2011
Another snapshot of the continuing improvements to the XSLT 2.0 stylesheets for DocBook.
DocBook Meetup?, 21 Oct 2011
If we had a DocBook meetup co-located with XML Prague in February, would you come?
Playing with transclusion, 04 Oct 2011
In my continuing efforts to explore transclusion, some running code.
DocBook Stylesheets 2.0.2 released, 01 Oct 2011
The XSLT 2.0 stylesheets for DocBook are improving.
Using Pygments from XSLT, 31 Aug 2011
Create highlighted source code listings in DocBook directly from XSLT.
DocBook XSLT 2.0 Stylesheets released, 25 Aug 2011
Eventually, you have to ship. Announcing the first release of the DocBook XSLT 2.0 stylesheets for DocBook.
On the changing nature of DocBook standardization, 22 Jul 2011
The focus of the DocBook Technical Committee recently has been document assembly and transclusion. That's…different.
DocBook Publishers Updates, 24 Jun 2011
Announcing DocBook Publishers V1.1b1 and a special edition of DocBook 5: The Definitive Guide for the Publishers Schema.
DocBook V5.1 Beta 4, 24 Jun 2011
Announcing DocBook V5.1b4, the fourth beta release of what will become DocBook V5.1. Version 5.1 includes significant new features for topic-based authoring as well as a number of bug fixes.
Transclusion in DocBook, 17 Apr 2011
The requirement to “transclude” documents, to incorporate them by reference rather than copying, is not uncommon in documentation systems.
Restoring the DocBook Wiki, 20 Mar 2011
After several weeks of accidental and frustrating downtime, the DocBook Wiki is (almost) back online.
Transclusion, 15 Dec 2010
Transclusion comes in many flavors, some more easily supported than others.
XML 2010: What's new in DocBook V5?, 20 Oct 2010
I spoke last week at XML 2010. In particular, I spoke about what's new in DocBook V5. Herewith, a few thoughts on XML 2010 and my slides.
DocBook 5 is the “Ebook Deal of the Day”!, 14 Oct 2010
News flash! From the shameless commerce department, we get this breaking story…
Reconsidering specialization, part the second, 13 Oct 2010
Most customizations aren't really amenable to “blind interchange” anyway, or are they?
Reconsidering specialization, part the first, 30 Aug 2010
It's been a few years since I first considered DITA specialization. I wonder if I missed the point? I think that might depend on the assumptions that I brought to the table.
DocBook V5.1 Beta 2, 27 Jul 2010
Announcing DocBook V5.1b2, the second beta release of (what will become) DocBook V5.1. Version 5.1 includes significant new features for topic-based authoring as well as a number of bug fixes.
Creating a DocBook V5.0 DTD, 18 Mar 2010
Taking another stab at the long-standing problem of producing DTD (and XSD) versions of the DocBook V5.0 family of schemas.
XML Prague 2010, 24 Jan 2010
See you at XML Prague! And a chance to plug some really excellent training.
DocBook V5.0, 04 Nov 2009
DocBook V5.0 is an OASIS Standard!
Call for Vote - DocBook V5.0, 19 Oct 2009
DocBook V5.0 is ready to become an OASIS Standard!
RDFa for DocBook?, 22 Sep 2009
Adding RDFa to DocBook would make it possible to add a class of semantic annotations to DocBook without changing the schema. But is that a good idea?
OASIS Public Review of DocBook V5.0, 28 Apr 2008
The DocBook Technical Committee is advancing DocBook V5.0 to Committee Specification.
DocBook 5.0: The Definitive Guide Updates, 04 Mar 2008
Better content, better presentation.
DocBook V5.0, 06 Feb 2008
DocBook V5.0 is done.
Formatting online books, 01 Feb 2008
I can push markup around all day. Design, now that's a different story.
Stylesheet organization, 01 Jan 2008
The XSLT 2.0 stylesheets for DocBook are broken. They have been for a while, but I think maybe I've figured out how to fix them.
DocBookers dinner, 30 Nov 2007
Coming to Boston for XML 2007? Interested in DocBook? Eat? Let's have dinner!
DocBook V5.0 Committee Draft, 07 Nov 2007
Victory!
DocBook V5.0CR7, 01 Oct 2007
There's always one more bug, I guess. Eventually, we'll ship anyway.
DocBook V5.0CR5, 12 Jul 2007
This is the fifth and possibily last “candidate release” of DocBook V5.0.
XML Prague 2007, 06 Jul 2007
An excellent conference in a wonderful city.
DocBook 5.0CR4, 23 May 2007
This is the fourth “candidate release” of Docbook 5.0.
XML Prague '07, 06 Apr 2007
I'll be speaking at XML Prague in June.
DocBook 5.0CR3, 23 Mar 2007
Hot on the heels of CR2 comes CR3, the third “canididate release” of DocBook 5.0.
DocBook V5.0CR2, 14 Mar 2007
The second “candidate release” of DocBook V5.0.
Topic-oriented authoring, 05 Feb 2007
A visual analogy and the importance of good metrics.
DocBook V5.0CR1, 21 Dec 2006
Several weeks late, but still in 2006, I'm pleased to announce the first “candidate release” of DocBook V5.0!
DocBook Wiki Updated, 28 Nov 2006
The DocBook wiki now exports…DocBook!
DocBookers Dinner, 12 Nov 2006
Coming to Boston for XML 2006? Interested in DocBook? Eat? Let's have dinner!
notAllowed?, 27 Oct 2006
On customizing DocBook and the importance of sometimes being optionally not allowed.
DocBook V5.0b9, 26 Oct 2006
This is the ninth test release of DocBook V5.0.
DocBook: The Definitive Guide Updated, 13 Oct 2006
The Definitive Guide is now even more free. There are other updates too, but those happen with some regularity.
Versioning DocBook, 06 Oct 2006
Thoughts on the evolution of a technical documentation standard.
DocBook V4.5, 04 Oct 2006
It's official: DocBook V4.5 is an OASIS Standard.
DocBook V5.0b8, 27 Sep 2006
This is the eighth test release of DocBook V5.0.
DocBook V5.0b7, 28 Jul 2006
This is the seventh test release of DocBook V5.0.
DocBook.org redesigned, 28 Jul 2006
Yesterday, I rolled out a redesign of the DocBook.org website.
Image callouts, 10 Jun 2006
A couple of simple tools designed to make the DocBook imageobjectco tag more usable.
DocBook V5.0b6, 03 Jun 2006
This is the sixth test release of DocBook V5.0.
DocBook V4.5CR3, 03 Jun 2006
The DocBook Technical Committee has published the third Candidate Release of DocBook V4.5. We really, really expect this one to go out for balloting as an OASIS Standard.
DocBook Swag, 26 May 2006
Wear your heartduck on your sleeve. Or something. Marketing. Yeah, that's the ticket! [Update: More swag.]
Back online (and have been for a while), 23 May 2006
Applause for IBM's warranty repair service, the joys of Ubuntu, and random stuff.
DocBook V5.0b5, 12 Apr 2006
The DocBook Technical Committee has published the fifth test release of DocBook V5.0.
DITA 2006, 24 Mar 2006
I only saw a few hours of the DITA conference, but I think it was a good show. I wish I'd seen more. I remain skeptical about some aspects of the DITA vision, but that's not really important. Reasonable people can disagree about the details.
DocBook V4.5CR2, 10 Mar 2006
DocBook V4.5CR2 is a small bug fix to the Committee Specification of DocBook V4.5. The Technical Committee expects to send this version to the OASIS membership for approval as an OASIS Standard.
DocBook V5.0b4, 10 Mar 2006
The DocBook Technical Committee has published the fourth test release of DocBook V5.0.
DocBook V5.0b3, 01 Feb 2006
The DocBook Technical Committee has published the third test release of DocBook V5.0. Something for you to do on my winter vacation: test, test, test.
Specialization and Extensibility, 27 Jan 2006
I don't think DITA's notion of specialization is really very exciting and it sure doesn't make DITA more extensible than DocBook.
Upcoming Gig: DITA 2006, 13 Jan 2006
I'm speaking at DITA 2006.
DocBook V5.0b2, 13 Jan 2006
The DocBook Technical Committee has published the second test release of DocBook V5.0.
DocBook Tutorial, 14 Nov 2005
DocBook tutorial online.
DocBook Tiny, 05 Nov 2005
Want DocBook with just five elements? You got it.
DocBook V5.0b1, 28 Oct 2005
It's official! The DocBook Technical Committee has approved the first release of DocBook V5.0.
DITA for DocBook, 21 Oct 2005
Implementing the Darwin Information Typing Architecture for DocBook.
Introduction to DocBook, 19 Oct 2005
I recently gave an introductory DocBook presentation at the documentation and training conference in the Boston area. The slides from that talk are now available, if you're interested.
Annotation Markup in DocBook V5.0, 17 Oct 2005
Closing the loop on DocBook annotation markup.
XML 2005, 08 Oct 2005
The annual all-singing, all-dancing XML conference is just around the corner. If you haven't made your plans to attend, now's the time! (Also included, shameless plugs and dinner invitations.)
DocBook NG: The “PTO” Release, 24 Jul 2005
On the road to DocBook V5.0α1. This is very likely to be the last “NG” release before the DocBook Technical Committee releases an official V5.0 alpha.
DocBook Updates, 08 Jul 2005
There's a new DTD, a new RELAX NG Grammar, and updated book pages.
DocBook V4.5b1, 05 May 2005
DocBook V4.5b1 is now available.
Secret Harbour, St. Thomas, USVI, 28 Apr 2005
An upcoming vacation, a contribution to Google Sightseeing, and a new feature in the DocBook XSL Stylesheets.
DocBook NG: The “Lillet” Release, 24 Apr 2005
DocBook NG (and Simplified NG, Slides NG, and Website NG) in the official DocBook namespace.
DocBook: The Definitive Guide, 20 Apr 2005
New releases of TDG for DocBook XML V4.4 and DocBook NG: The “Kahlúa” Release have been published.
DocBook NG: The “Kahlúa” Release, 12 Apr 2005
Fixing a stupid typo and renewing support for Simplified DocBook NG.
DocBook NG: The “Jägermeister” and “IPA” Releases, 08 Apr 2005
This release includes a couple of new elements and all the changes I forgot to announce in “IPA”.
Subversion and other updates, 09 Feb 2005
A random assortment of updates and announcements.
DocBook V4.4 Released, 28 Jan 2005
The DocBook Technical Committee has released DocBook V4.4 as a Committee Draft.
DocBook NG: The “Hard Cider” Release, 18 Jan 2005
This release includes a large suite of small improvements and bug fixes, but the big news is a first experimental DTD version.
DocBook Wishes '05, 03 Jan 2005
With almost an entire calendar year ahead, I have a couple of hopes and aspirations for DocBook in 2005.
DocBook.org is moving, 20 Dec 2004
I really like my ISP, my real one, BerkshireNet, not the cable company that actually sends bits into my house these days. They've always been good to me and it seems only fair to return the courtesy so I'm moving things around.
Even more on version identifiers and XML, 17 Dec 2004
I'm not opposed to the use of version numbers to identify compatibility implications, I just don't think they always do or always should.
Annotations Revisited, 02 Dec 2004
A few annotation changes reflecting mainly decisions of the DocBook Technical Committee at the October telcon.
DocBook NG: The “Gin” Release, 11 Nov 2004
A few minor changes, motivated in part by some documentation experiments that I've been doing.
DocBook Dinner, 22 Oct 2004
In the spirit of blog-announced geek dinners, I propose to dine with DocBook geeks at XML 2004. Specifically, I propose doing so on Wednesday evening, 17 Nov 2004, at 7:30pm.
DocBook NG: The “Frangelico” Release, 18 Oct 2004
This release uses xml:id and XLink, including some support for extended links, and fixes a couple of bugs. I thought it made sense to get another release out before XML 2004.
Annotation Markup, 16 Sep 2004
A few days ago, I demonstrated some experimental annotation formatting. What I didn’t really do was talk about the source markup for annotations. This essay attempts to address that issue.
DocBook XSL Stylesheets V1.66.0, 15 Sep 2004
A couple of days ago, Bob made a new release of the DocBook XSL Stylesheets. Thank you, Bob!
Annotations, 10 Sep 2004
The DocBook TC has been talking about annotations for a while now. Herewith a few random thoughts and a little bit of experimental implementation.
DocBook Tutorial at XML 2004, 02 Sep 2004
If DocBook is part of your plans for XML 2004, you’ll probably excuse my shameless plug for “DocBook: From Syntax to Publication”. Probably.
Extreme DocBook, 08 Aug 2004
A pointer to the slides from my Extreme paper presentation.
DocBook NG: The “Eaux-de-vie” Release, 03 Aug 2004
I thought I’d wait a little longer for this release, leaving it until the post-DocBook 4.4 time frame, but I decided to fix a few bugs sooner rather than later.
DocBook Title Pages with XSLT 2.0, 27 Jul 2004
XSLT 2.0 is around the corner and I’ve started to think about how the DocBook XSL Stylesheets might be improved in an XSLT 2.0 version. One of the things that I’d like to address is the clumsy way title pages are currently handled.
DocBook NG: The “Drambuie” Release, 23 Jul 2004
A few small changes to the content model of info elements and bibliographic entries.
DocBook at XML 2004, 25 Jun 2004
XML 2004 is coming up. It’s time to get those papers written up, this year in DocBook!
Is It the APIs, Stupid?, 14 Jun 2004
You’ve got your regular expressions, your SAX, and your DOM, you’ve even got your RDF as an XML API (I’m not kidding). And now you’ve got another choice in the Java platform. Some thoughts on APIs.
More on the XSLT/XQuery Thread, 28 May 2004
A few more thoughts on the debate over XSLT and XQuery. You really want to do document transformations with XQuery, do you?
DocBook NG: The “Cachaça” Release, 26 May 2004
Markup changes and a major pattern renaming.
DocBook Wiki Reborn, 29 Apr 2004
The DocBook Wiki is back online at its new home.
CVS, Dates, and Validation, 06 Apr 2004
The CVS $Date$ keyword doesn’t validate as an ISO 8601 date/time.
DocBook V4.3, 01 Apr 2004
The DocBook Technical Committee published DocBook V4.3 as a Committee Draft. No fooling.
XML Interop, DocBook, and Ease of Use, 19 Feb 2004
Is XML really all it’s hyped up to be?
DocBook NG: The “Bourbon” Release, 09 Jan 2004
Mostly a few small bug fixes, but it’s in a namespace now, and there are a some other changes.
DocBook NG: The “Absinthe” Release, 01 Jan 2004
I’ve talked about refactoring DocBook before and over the past few days I’ve tried to pull together a solid implementation of those ideas. I think the results show a lot of promise.
The DocBook Encoding Initiative or “TextBook”?, 09 Oct 2003
In a lot of ways, DocBook and the TEI are very similar. I spent most of today looking over the TEI Meta language and the constructs in DocBook and the TEI. Maybe it’s possible to design our schemas so that they can easily interoperate. In any event, a few touristy snaps of Oxford as well.
Reconfigurable RELAX NG Grammars, 15 Sep 2003
RELAX NG is the future for DocBook. But getting a working RELAX NG grammar is only a small part of the battle. We also need to satisfy the requirements of a reasonable evolution path for DocBook. It's going to be a challenge, but a fun one, I think!
Buy This Book!, 08 Jul 2003
If you use DocBook, odds are good that you use the DocBook XSL Stylesheets. If you use the stylesheets, odds are better than good that you'll want this book.
Why Refactor DocBook?, 16 Jun 2003
More thoughts on refactoring.
One Namespace or Many?, 11 Jun 2003
One approach to simplifying a markup vocabulary is to divide it into discrete pieces. Rather than defining a single large vocabulary that is the union of all things, define a set of modules that can be combined into conformant variations. Some would suggest that the right implementation of that design is to put the modules in separate namespaces. I'm not convinced.
Caching in with Resolvers, 05 Jun 2003
XML Catalogs is now a Committee Specification. We're well on our way to OASIS Standard, I think, and that means it's time to get your deployment strategies in order.
More Ruminations on DocBook, 29 May 2003
Some ideas about what a refactored DocBook might look like, and a prototype.
Ruminations on DocBook V.next, 21 May 2003
There comes a point in the life cycle of any system when adding one more patch is the wrong solution to every problem. Eventually, it's time to rethink, refactor, and rewrite. For DocBook, I think that time has come.
How?, 14 May 2003
How does this site work?
Who?, 14 May 2003
Who do you think you are?

See also