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Docbook for Policies and Procedures

• To: xml-dev@l...
• Subject: Docbook for Policies and Procedures
• From: Ray Cauchi <ray@t...>
• Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 18:27:43 +1000

Hi all

I am new to XML...my background is primarily in web based programming in 
PHP and MySQL (I am MySQL certified).

I am building a Content Management System specifically centered around the 
Policies and Procedures of a University. So the CMS will:

         - Allow Content Editors to add and maintain Polcies and/or Procedures
         - implement a Version control system for each Policy/Procedure
         - implement a workflow control system to allow documents to be 
published by only one or two privileged editors (Administrators)
         - usual CMS stuff such as basic web page content management 
(WYSIWYG editor controlled), User Management etc etc

The Policies and Procedures will be stored as XML documents in the 
Filesystem (the remainder of the content is stored In MySQL, and the 
application API is beiong developed in PHP - of course!), each version 
being a separate document, and each Policy/Procedure having its own 
directory and sub-directories for approved and draft versions.

OK...enough waffle. I have been mulling over the idea of an XML Schema to 
use, and I have concluded I have two options :

         - roll my own...I have been doing this all day and then I realised 
I could....
         - use DocBook

I do not know enough about Schemas to know if I would be on the right track 
to use DocBook, however my gut feeling is to stick with a widely used and 
standard Schema rather than getting really specific and customised. I was 
also joyed to realise there are XSL definitions for transforming Docbook 
content into PDF/RTF output etc....

I am still trying to ascertain whether Docbook would be overkill or whether 
it would be the best thing I could do. It is interesting to realise that 
what I had been developing as my own schema shares element and attribute 
names with Docbook elements and attributes - leading me further to think 
that adopting Docbook would be wise....

Has anyone used Docbook for any similar kind of project - that is, being 
Policy/Procedure centric, as opposed to being Book/Manual centric??? What 
do you all think of Docbook (or at least those of you that have an opinion 
on the matter??)

Is there anyone out there who has/is used/using Docbook in a PHP based app?

Would it be useful provide more specific info about my requirements for you 
all to reply to my questions? Or maybe there is a better list for me to 
post to?

I realised today why I am beginning to really dig XML...so I am a tad 
over-excited lol....

Ray Cauchi

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