All,

Great ideas. However, I would recommend that this group get too wrapped up in the delivery of the product, and stay focused on the product itself. I've got my own theories about delivery: ONE file format is necessary (HTML or web based). This should work for the Internet posting as well as CD delivery (we include a browser with the CD). Still, this is getting away from my point. We're getting caught up in smart documents, which the DoD and Navy have standards for.

Before I start, I want to mention that Defense Automated Printing Service in Philadelphia has a web site with instructions and a CD with instructions. They also provide publishing services on a reimbursible basis - do they do smart document technologies? Are we allowed to publish instructions in any format other than static PDF or TIFF? Anyway, http://www.daps.mil will take you to the DAPS site. Their Philadelphia site contains the instructions at URL http://www.phila.nebt.daps.mil/.

Now, relating to smart documents, if we are allowed to go off and do our own, Steve Weinstein of NAVSEA 703-602-0076 can tell you about IETMs and ATIS. ATIS is a technical manual standard for raster imaged manuals. I was told that the people who keep track of ATIS manuals maintain a database and can tell us whether anyone else is working on the same manual that we are (smart or raster). IETMS is the smart document program. I don't know much about it other than it uses hypertext links to cross-reference information. This should be straightforward for us, but it would be important to the fleet that we use their standards so that we are compatible with their viewer software, distribution media, shipboard jukeboxes, document formats, etc.

I would love to try to track this information down, but I am in the middle of several major projects right now. Steve's number is busy this afternoon. If the DON CIO can supply resources to track this type of information down, it would be a big help. I've got other POCs if Steve turns out to be a dead-end.

bruce

-- Anonymous, October 01, 1998