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What is it?

The assembly of content after receiving a request, so the system can filter or merge different sources, process the results, and return content that is relevant to you at the moment you make the request.

Why is it important?

Given cloud and virtual technology, software systems are increasingly dynamic. The reader is also increasingly dynamic, whether using different devices or filling different roles. Static delivery simply can’t keep pace. Dynamic delivery captures the current states of system and reader and returns content that is specific and meaningful.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Dynamic Delivery"

What is it?

Variables that contain phrase-level content that needs to be in a topic no matter what document the topic is part of, but that changes depending on context, for example, a product name or a company name.

Why is it important?

Content variables have been a key factor in allowing reuse of content across products and platforms. By isolating terms or phrases that are likely both to appear in multiple places and to change depending on factors external to the content itself, those terms or phrases can be modified for publication without modifying the actual topic content.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Content Variables"

What is it?

Content that has sufficient metadata to allow a processor to filter or flag that content in any output format, using a profile to determine the exact output for a given context or format.

Why is it important?

Conditional content facilitates the reuse of content components in multiple contexts or formats. The metadata specifies the contexts to which a specific component applies.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Conditional Content"

What is it?

A complex website that allows you to track learner access to your eLearning content, set time limits, run quiz pass/fail reports, and automatically award completion certificates.

Why is it important?

While eLearning content can be created easily with off-the-shelf-tools, you will need a Learning Management System (LMS) to deliver your content and to help you gauge its effectiveness.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Learning Management System"

What is it?

A centralized system that helps organizations capture, manage, store, preserve, and deliver topic-based content (components), whether the content is proprietary or follows a standard architecture, like DITA.

Why is it important?

A Component Content Management System (CCMS) provides a working environment for content engineers and technical communicators to plan, track, reuse, publish, translate, and control topic-based content assets.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Component Content Management System"

What is it?

The definition and organization of pieces of information (content) so that their use is consistent, logical, and efficient.

Why is it important?

Content architecture enhances the business value of content by designing a scalable structure that supports content strategy, improves user experience, and facilitates the work of technical communicators.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Content Architecture"

What is it?

Creating content once, planning for its reuse in multiple places, contexts, and output channels.

Why is it important?

Single sourcing enables authors to leverage content to its fullest potential, with benefits such as increased consistency and accuracy and reduced development time.

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What is it?

The practice of using content components in multiple information products.

Why is it important?

Developing reusable content that can be used in multiple places and output formats saves valuable resources, enforces consistency, and improves content quality and effectiveness.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Content Reuse"

What is it?

Authoring an information set as a collection of discrete units called topics, rather than as a whole book or help system.

Why is it important?

Readers are increasingly information-snacking on small pieces of content which they find by searching, and small discrete units of information can be produced and managed more efficiently.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Topic-based Authoring"

What is it?

Content, whether in a textual, visual, or playable format, that conforms to structural and semantic rules that allow machine processing to meet specific business requirements.

Why is it important?

Structure in a document involves identifying the scope and relationship of meaningful parts. Named structures enable both logical processing and independent styling of what readers see.

...continue reading "Term of the Week: Structured Content"