1. DITA & Non-DITA AUTHORING Platforms
Harry Anthony
© 2018, InsideView Technologies, LTD

2. Who is HARRY? A principal technical writer at InsideView Technologies.
a Trained DITA Writer
certified Information architect
project management professional.
worked at SAP Asia Pacific Ltd, Singapore (International Experience).
received multiple awards for documentation at Motorola, Sun Microsystems & Oracle Corporation. 

3. Agenda Why DITA and why not Non-DITA? DITA and Non-DITA Components
Benefits of DITA and Non-DITA
Pros and Cons of DITA and Non-DITA
Interactive Use Case Examples
Key take away (s)

4. Why DITA and Why NOT Non-DITA?
Why Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA)?
An open XML standard for structured content
Free datatype definitions (DTDs), schemas and DITA OTs
Components to reuse, single source and generate multiple output
Developed by IBM, maintained by Oasis standard committee
Why not non-DITA?
Unstructured content
Controlled by Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Requires HTML Editor and skills to manipulate HTML tags
Publish documents as a front-end page
Helps professional service teams
Choose Wisely
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

5. Why DITA and Why NOT Non-DITA? Continued…
What DITA really is?
XML Standard
Built for topic oriented-authoring
A way to work in XML without worrying about structure
Cost-effective way to create, publish, reuse and exchange structured content
What non-DITA is?
Unstructured content with HTML coding
No pre-defined structure for a web page
Need to build your own structure for publishing content
Costly way to create and share content over the web
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

6. Why Topics Are Important?
DITA Topics
Concept helps you cover product feature
Task provides step-by-step instructions
Reference gives additional information
Troubleshooting solves a problem
Glossary identifies key terms
Non-DITA
Templates are defined on need basis
Each HTML page can be customized
No clear distinction between concept, task or reference
Authoring and technical learning is simple
Limited deliverables for non-diverse audience
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

7. What Components are in Store?
DITA Components
DTDs for defining content structure
Open Toolkit for generating output
Elements to represent content types
Attributes to define print conditions
Maps to collect topics for various deliverables
Non-DITA Components
Use your own CSS and JavaScript
Generic output style
Unrelated information becomes unnecessary
Enforces a unstructured output format
Not scalable for generating desired output
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

8. What Are the Benefits? DITA Non-DITA
Topic-oriented, modular content templates
Content Reuse
Content Exchange with conditions
Reduce translation or localization costs
Improve content quality
Non-DITA
Front-end publisher with basic HTML Editor
Repository for HTML pages
Structure for both information and visual presentation
Generate documentation with minimal effort.
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

9. What Are the Pros and cons?
DITA Pros
Administration console to track different topics
Authoring console to create, edit and manages projects
Allows to embed SCORM compliant learning modules
Documentation version control
SMEs and Editors can review content with the Contributor
DITA Cons
Multiple plug-ins and tools to work with.
High level of technical expertise required
Tough to troubleshoot missing or broken links
Publishing and compiling output maps is time consuming
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

10. What Are the Pros and cons? Continued…
Non-DITA Pros
Structure for both information and visual presentation
Integrates with Microsoft Word and other text editors with default HTML tags
SMEs and Editors can review content in draft state
Non-DITA Cons
Forced to use only three levels of headings
Inconsistent page layout for big products
No Documentation version control
Controls with CSS stylesheet without any option to re-organize content
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

11. How to Use DITA Platform?
Interactive Example - How does a topic look like in DITA?
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

12. How to Use DITA Platform? Continued…
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

13. How to Use DITA Platform? Continued…
WYSIOO -
What you see is one option
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

14. How to Use DITA Platform? Continued…
Key DITA Items
Map Files
Content References (conrefs)
Specialization
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

15. How to Use DITA Platform? Continued…
Map Files
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

16. How to Use DITA Platform? Continued…
Conrefs
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

17. How to Use DITA Platform? Continued…
Specialization
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

18. How to Use Non-DITA Platform
Interactive Example
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

19. How to Use Non-DITA Platform? Continued…
HTML Editor View
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

20. How to Use Non-DITA Platform? Continued…
HTML Web Template Customization
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

21. How to Use Non-DITA Platform? Continued…
Easy to Use HTML Editors - Confluence
Why DITA?
D is Darwin- because Darwin was the father of evolution and DITA helps in evolving new elements from existing ones. Thus, apply concept of evolutionary adaption from Darwin’s theory.
IT is Information Typing , this defines the structure of content with concepts, Tasks, Reference, Glossentry, and Troubleshooting topics.
A is for architecture, because content is structured it is also extensible. Architecture helps you to reuse, single source, and generate output
Why not non-DITA?
Non-DITA authoring is adequate for a small company with few products. In most cases, these facilities want product documentation online to cut revision, and distribution costs.
Non-DITA authoring enables organizations to publish documents as a front-end for all customers (external stakeholder) and help professional service teams (their internal stakeholders
It is like Dita Von Teese famous quote
“I advocate glamour. Everyday. Every minute" "Glamour above all things.”
For additional information on CSS, refer to

22. References: Keith Schengili-Roberts – also known as DITA Writer
With written permission from:
Keith Schengili-Roberts – also known as DITA Writer
Is DITA Right For You? – Technical Communication Summit, 2017 presentation
Sarah O’Keefe – founder of
DITA 101 – YouTube webinar
Zendesk Knowledge Center
Zendesk – Online Tutorial
Wiki by Atlassian Confluence Knowledge Base
Simple Set Up – YouTube Video

23. Q&A

24. You can reach out to me at harry.anthony@yahoo.com
Thank you!
You can reach out to me at