Gone through articles and presentations on the web and got a half-baked understanding of the Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA)? Join us for the DITA Quick Start workshop to learn to evaluate, plan and start implementing DITA.

In this workshop, you will learn about:

• Structured authoring and XML
• Key DITA concepts: topics, maps, specialization
• DITA architecture and content model
• Authoring in topics
• Organizing content using DITA maps
• Creating relationship tables
• Conditional text and reuse in DITA
• Metadata support in DITA
• DITA tools, standards and processes
• Publishing with the DITA Open Toolkit

• Look at real-life DITA implementations
• Learn about the benefits and limitations of DITA
• Work hands-on through a sample DITA application using an XML editor.

About the presenter:

Selvakumar T.S works a Technical Publications Consultant with Cadence Design Systems where he has implemented single sourcing and structured authoring solutions. He has around 14 years experience in Technical Writing.

The Aerospace and Defense Industries Association of Europe (ASD) publishes a standard (ASD-STE-100) for technical English. The goal of the standard is to restrict English words to one, and only one, meaning. In a world where the users of our documents may have limited English skills, it is worth it to see what advice the standard has for technical communicators. Participants in this workshop will learn what the standard is, how it works, and apply its guidelines to sample exercises. Participants are welcome to bring short excerpts of their work for analysis by the group.

About the presenter:

An STC member for more than 20 years, Douglas Dow has served the Lone Star (Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas) community as its Parliamentarian (2000-2001) and as Managing Editor of Technically Write, the Lone Star community newsletter (2001-2007). The newsletter won awards in STC's Newsletter Competition in each year of his editorship, culminating in a Best of Show award this year. With expertise in editing and in single-sourcing, he has presented programs at many STC International and Regional conferences, and at community meetings. He was recognized this year as an STC Associate Fellow.

A technical writer must convey complex concepts and information in clear, succinct language. Often, in the quest to articulate technical complexity, good English takes a back seat. Sadly, even the most thorough, accurate and user-focused manual loses value in its reader's eyes if it is not written well. This interactive workshop focuses on five all-too-common issues in writing and helps you to put them behind you forever.

About the presenter:

Suhag has a background in industrial pharmacy and began her career in pharmaceutical manufacturing. With many years' experience in technical documentation, Suhag has published and presented research findings at industry gatherings. Her skills as a technical communicator are enhanced by her experience in scientific and grant writing. Suhag holds an MS in Industrial Pharmacy from Purdue University and an MS in Management from Willamette University. She studied Technical Writing at San Jose State University.