An XML OdysseyTrials of XML Around the World
ABSTRACT
At the Greeks won the Trojan war, Odysseus set sail to return to Ithaca, but was blown off course and away from the rest of the Greek fleet. His trip was long and arduous, with many trials along the way. Our intrepid XML explorers have won the battle of improving publishing systems, this has been proven and well documented. Now we turn our heads to new trials and tribulations, and, like Odyseus, are conquering these trials through innovation, cunning, and even great physical strength (okay, maybe not physical strength).
Business and other organizations have found that publishing systems are not alone in their information systems requirements that can benefit from the use of standardized, structured information technologies. We see XML now deployed in ways an early user of XML might not have anticipated. This presentation will illustrate how XML has improved a variety of systems including generation of dynamic Web content, a distance learning application, a B2B supply chain integration application, an educational testing system, a psychometric testing system, and dynamic software interface configuration.
Table of Contents
1. The Journey of Odesseus
The great thing about the journey of Odysseus as told in Homer's the Oddyssy is all the unexpected turns and trials he had to face. After being in a terrible war, his ship gets blown off course and he spends the next twenty years struggling to get back home.
Having been in a few standards meetings and way too many religious debates about the application of SGML, and later, XML, I like to think I have been through my own arduous journey. I am glad to say that XML has emerged victorious and has been proven effective in many publishing applications, the arena where we intended to introduce structured textual information standards and technology.
Now we begin to see many uses of XML in places that were perhaps not anticipated by many. The level of interest in XML, what with an explosion of shows and conferences, books, training, tools, and related standards, provide evidence that XML adoption is widespread and reaching into a broad range of activities. This discussion will explore 6 examples of how XML is being applied beyond the sphere of traditional publishing systems.
2. New Trials for XML
XML application has helped bridge the chasm between various arenas. Examples can be found where XML was used to integrate software with textual research tools. We can now see XML provide content, scoring and feedback information support in Web-based distance learning environments. XML can not only enforce the structure of textual content, but also can support the access, manipulation, storage, and processing of information in a repository. Often, with the explosive growth of Internet exchanges, XML will act as the glue between business-to-business (B2B) supply chain systems by providing XML structured messaging as well as structured catalogue content. XML is also currently in use in psychometric testing, where employers can evaluate a job candidate or existing employee's personality and strengths via web-based testing, get reports and feedback, and develop career development plans. Lastly, XML can be used to configure software dynamically, and specifically to a users profile.
Examples of these six atypical applications of XML will be given to show how XML can play a bigger part in your organizations' information strategies. Where possible, live demonstrations of these systems will be provided as well as business metrics and goals. This small Odyssey should chronicle some of the trials of the information systems developers who have XML and related standards in their toolkit. Hopefully you will be able to envision a broader role for XML in your plans to meet your business objectives.