DITA is a standard for writing and storing content in modular,
format-independent 'topics'.
Topics are 'information units', which are smaller
than a whole document or traditional book 'chapter'. Each
covers a single process, concept, reference,etc. By
separating content into topics, it can then be managed, reused, and
updated independently even when used in multiple documents or
publications. Unlike other "fixed" standards like HTML or DocBook, DITA
is not only an XML document type definition (DTD) specification, but
provides a system of "Specialisation" which allows one to extend DITA,
by adding elements for specific departmental or company needs.
These Specialisations allow organisations to still use any
DITA-compliant tools for creation, management, or publishing without
additional development or customisation overhead - unlike traditional
XML where customisation is always required. This translates into much
lower total cost of ownership on DITA systems.
DITA is the fastest growing information standard for technical
information. It is in use in organisations like
Nortel, Cisco, Nokia, IBM, Adobe, Research In Motion (RIM, makers of
the Blackberry), Schlumberger, Motorola,and many more.
DITA improves on previous standards by being built to be
modular, and enabling a balance between internal, external and
departmental needs all within a single document. It is
significantly simpler to adopt and implement compared with previous XML
standards. This is because of its flexibility, rich
out-of-box support from vendors, and smaller, simpler tag set and
content model. To understand how DITA works, it's recommended
to attended seminar/webinar, or read some of the industry-leading white
papers available. The Darwin Information Typing Architecture
(DITA) is an XML-based architecture for authoring, producing, and
delivering technical information.
Introduction to DITA
Noz Urbina Webinar
Twelve DITA Implementations: Lessons Learned
Don Bridges and Noz Urbina, Webinar
OASIS Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) Technical Committee
http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=dita
