Software:XMetaL
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| Developer(s) | JustSystems |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 16.0
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| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Available in | English, Japanese |
| Type | XML editor |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | http://www.xmetal.com |
XMetaL, or XMetaL Author, is a software application people use to create and edit documents in XML and SGML. It has some features common to word processors, but is a native XML editor that can be configured to work with various standard and custom DTDs and XML Schemas. XMetaL was first released by SoftQuad Software in 1999 and is currently developed by JustSystems.
Uses
XMetaL has a user interface resembling a word processor, in contrast with other XML editors such as XMLSpy that are designed for XML programmers.[1][2] XMetaL is used by both technical and non-technical writers,[3] most often to develop technical documents, website content, newspaper and magazine content, and organizational policies and procedures. Government agencies also use XMetaL for tracking legislation.[4][5]
Features
XMetaL includes features common to word processors, such as a spellchecker, a thesaurus, and the ability to track changes made to documents.[6] XMetaL provides different views of a document, known as “Normal”, “Tags On” and “Plain Text,” which reveal the underlying element tags and other XML markup to varying degrees, and uses standard CSS files to style documents for display within the editor.[6] A “Resource Manager” pane can be used to locate and insert items such as image files and frequently reused text fragments.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
The “Enterprise” version of XMetaL includes the Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) DTDs and features for editing and publishing DITA topics and maps.[7]
Thin-client version
XMAX, a platform for creating thin client custom XML editors, was first released in 2003 under the name “XMetaL for ActiveX”.[8] XMAX-based applications can run within the Internet Explorer browser for Windows, and can be embedded in other applications that support ActiveX.[3]
History
XMetaL was first developed by SoftQuad Software, which had previously developed the HTML editor HoTMetaL[1] and the SGML editor Author-Editor. XMetaL 1.0, released in June 1999, was the first stand-alone XML editor to offer a word-processor-like user interface.[9] In 2002, the Ottawa-based Corel Corporation bought SoftQuad, but failed to successfully develop the business.[10] In 2003, XMetaL was rebranded as "XMetaL Author", as some features for extending and customizing the product were separated into a "XMetaL Developer" application.
In 2004, Corel sold the XMetaL business to Blast Radius, a company based in Vancouver, which was still home to most members of the original XMetaL development team.[10] Critique, a product that had been developed by Blast Radius for collaborative reviewing of XML documents, would later be rebranded as "XMetaL Reviewer". XMetaL was the first major XML editor to provide specific features for DITA.[3] In 2006, Japan-based JustSystems Corporation acquired the XMetaL business from Blast Radius, keeping the XMetaL development team based in Vancouver.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cagle, Kurt (June 26, 2003). "XMetal 4 and the return of the XML document". ZDNet Asia. http://www.zdnetasia.com/insight/software/0,39044822,39133942,00.htm.
- ↑ Floyd, Michael; Dyck, Timothy; Muchmore, Michael W.; Gambhir, Sahil (June 30, 2002). "XML Exposed". PC Magazine 21 (12): 132.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 XML and Component Content Management Report 2009. Olney, MD USA: CMS Watch. pp. 84–91. http://www.cmswatch.com/CCM/Report/.
- ↑ Boeri, Robert J. (May 2002). "SoftQuad, Corel, and the XML of Content's Future". EContent 25 (5): 7. http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/News/News-Feature/SoftQuad,-Corel,-and-the-XML-of-Content%27s-Future-934.htm.
- ↑ Maziarka, Mike; Omri Duek (March 22, 2007). "Making Laws with XML: The View from the State of California's Legislative Counsel Bureau". Dynamic Content Software Strategies Consulting Service. http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/xml/xmldb/current/makinglawswithxml.pdf.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedboeri2 - ↑ Dickson, Andrea (2007). "Review of XMetaL Author 5.0 DITA Edition". WritersUA. http://www.writersua.com/articles/XMetaL/index.html.
- ↑ Wood, Jeff (March 2003). "Inside the Brackets: COREL XMETAL 4". Really Strategies. http://www.reallysi.com/newsletter5_2.htm.
- ↑ Bethony, Herb (June 7, 1999). "XMetal tests XML mettle.". PC Week 16 (23): 3.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Reid, Rebecca (Feb 10, 2004). "Blast Radius buys Corel's XMetal". IT World Canada. http://www.itworldcanada.com/Pages/Docbase/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=idgml-c50352ec-b9df-4345-9e00-31d0a2b5dc56.
External links
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