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HTML Form to XML (Long)
Joined: 09 Feb 2005
Posts: 4
HTML Form to XML (Long)
Goal:
Make it easy to populate a troubleshooting database with previously
prepared data.
Real world things over which we have no control:
. The troubleshooting application has been chosen already - no choice
in that.
. We don`t have access to the application yet, but we need to start
gathering the information _in the proper format_ now so that when we
finally have the application we can populate it very quickly.
. Very few people will have write access to the database (to enter
problems and solutions). Therefore, the tech writers are responsible
for gathering the data and populating the database _in the correct
format_.
. Many people will have read access to the database (to search for
solutions).
. **Hopefully** many people will submit information to be turned into
solutions.
The key points above are that the database requires that information
be formatted correctly and that we can`t wait until we have the
application to start creating solutions.
Formatting info:
The problem can be stated as a Goal (how to?, what is?) or as one or
more Symptoms (Report XYZ won`t print). Facts (operating system,
version, etc.) are encouraged but not required as part of the
problem.
Problem = Goal?, Symptom*, Fact*
Solutions consists of Causes (what caused the problem), Changes (what
changed since you last did this successfully), a single Fix (details
on how to fix the problem), and Notes (notes are not included in the
search algorithm).
Solution = (Cause | Change)*, Fix?, Note*
My plan:
Provide an Web page designed such that anyone can easily fill in the
appropriate information. It would be form-based with text entry
places for each role (goal, symptoms, facts, cause, changes, fix,
notes).
I want to be able to access the data for each problem/solution
gathered from the HTML form(s) and easily get it in this format:
goal: blah blah blah
symptom: blah blah blah blah
symptom: more blah blah
fact: stuff
fact: more stuff
- and so on.
I want this to be XML-based so I can use the collected data for
outputs other than the troubleshooting system.
I`ve written an EDD (FrameMaker`s version of a DTD plus formatting
info) so those of us with access to FrameMaker can enter the
information in a structured manner and output it to XML. I`m
confidant that I can write a transform that will take that XML and
provide just the info I need for each problem/solution in the format
I explained above (goal: blah blah blah) which will make it very easy
to enter into the troubleshooting database (a simple copy/paste
operation).
How do I get the info from all of the other contributors into the
proper format? Using the Web page form idea, where does the data go
when a person fills in the text areas and submits it from the Web
page? This is the black hole in my idea.
I have fairly good HTML skills but have never used forms. Am I crazy
for wanting to try this?
I`d really appreciate your thoughts, suggestions, etc.
Marsha Lofthouse
Joined: 13 Jun 2003
Posts: 14
HTML Form to XML (Long)
Marsha,
if you are interested in an honest response to your post from someone
who has done what you outlined, feel free to contact me directly via
email. I would contact you directly but I can`t get your full email
address.
I responded to your post but my writing style and point of view about
XML are not always welcome here, and my post was withheld.
I support moderated groups so I have no quibble with Mike`s decision.
The point now is to get you the advice you invited.
Tim
Joined: 13 Jun 2003
Posts: 14
HTML Form to XML (Long)
I had an exchange with Marsha and she just informed me that she`s
decided to use an Access database with a form for data entry. And,
she`ll look into "publishing" the database directly into a Frame MIF
"form."
Given the Access solution, I`m not sure now if some tortured XML
approach might not have been better.
Joking aside, if that`s what`s really called for, I wish the XML
community could be more honest and forthcoming, and just say so.
Hmm, since I did, I suppose it did.
Never mind.
Tim
--- In xml-doc@yahoogroups.com, "Ambot Sakoy" <binisiya@y...> wrote:
>
> Marsha,
>
> if you are interested in an honest response to your post from someone
> who has done what you outlined, feel free to contact me directly via
> email. I would contact you directly but I can`t get your full email
> address.
>
> I responded to your post but my writing style and point of view about
> XML are not always welcome here, and my post was withheld.
>
> I support moderated groups so I have no quibble with Mike`s decision.
> The point now is to get you the advice you invited.
>
> Tim
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