Tony McDow's Blog
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Today, I would like to briefly explain a change in the process for evaluating ePublisher that began with the 9.3 release. The change was to have users download and install the component called: ePublisher Express instead of ePublisher Pro. The motivation being to more gradually introduce new users to the powerful design capabilities built into ePublisher by starting with easiest to configure component first, and then progressing to the Pro component once it is determined that users are ready to create their own Stationery for doing production work.

So how do I use Express without my own Stationery?

Try out one of the example stationeries located at:

~\My Documents\ePublisher Stationery

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Download and install ePublisher Express
2. Navigate to the folder:

   My Documents\ePublisher Stationery

   and unzip the example files. This will create 3 example stationeries, each in a subfolder.
3. Launch Express and create a new project, using any one of the example stationery files.
4. Add your own documentation files to the project and generate all. For more information, see the tutorial here.

So then what?

First of all, note that this is a "one size shoe fits all" stationery, which has been configured to loosely work with many different types of documents and source files. However, it is not intended for production work and at a minimum will require some styling work before it will match your own requirements. Next, experiment with creating projects using Express and your own documentation files. Take a look at the results for different output formats. Then determine the following:

1. What format(s) are right for your needs?
   • WebWorks Help 5.0
   • Dynamic HTML
   • JavaHelp
   • PDF
   • ...
2. What behavior does your output require:
   • Topic splitting
   • Drop down text
   • Pop up windows
   • Context sensitive linking
   • Client-side search
   • Integrated PDF
   • ...
3. What style changes are required?
   • Page styling
   • Graphic styling
   • Paragraph styling
   • Table styling
   • ...

Using this information, you are now ready to create your own Stationery using the ePublisher Pro component. This component works similar to Express accept that it allows you to perform a Save As Stationery operation, which creates your own Stationery for use with Express and AutoMap.

Note: Now you only have one more decision. Does your team require a completely hands-off process that integrates with your select VC/CM system?

Next week, November 5-6, will be Quadralay's first ever user conference, dedicated entirely to sharing and listening to our customers. We decided to go with a Texas tradition in choosing the name of our new annual conference. Tradition aside, the new name, RoundUp, also represents how we are all gathering together to share ideas.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Austin next week. The weather is nice, and the venue we have chosen is even nicer.

Since this is my first blog posting, here is a short bio for those of you who are interested.

I was born and raised in Texas. I grew up for the most part in Austin, although I lived briefly in Houston and Dallas during my high school years. I graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas. After that, I was a full time student at the University of Texas, in Austin, where I earned both my BS and MS degrees from the College of Electrical Engineering. During my studies, I was fortunate to be a part of UT's Co-op intern program, which allowed me to work for General Dynamics (now Lockheed-Martin) during alternate semesters. That program proved very valuable for getting hands on experience as well as some extra cash to help out with the pizza bills, etc. when living the college lifestyle.

It was in 1992 that Quadralay was founded. At that time, I was finishing up graduate school, and starting a software business just seemed like the right thing to do. Although, I don't think at the time I realized just how much work it was going to require. Since then, I have acted in a number of roles at Quadralay, including C++ developer, consultant, trainer, manager, and executive. That's all for now, however, I do plan on posting again, as there is much I would like to tell about all I've learned from customers and users who are solving some really significant issues for their companies out there.

Best Regards, Tony McDow