XML-first

With an XML-first process, the process is as follows:

1. Transform copy to XML

Supplied copy is immediately structured and converted to a medium neutral format or XML. This transformation takes place through the use of software (for example MS Word in combination with XSLT) which is usually partly custom developed. Some publishers also work with authoring environments where the author works directly in XML through a user-friendly (read: MS Word-like) interface.

2. Transformation to delivery formats

Exports can be made from the XML source to various delivery formats. The most obvious is of course the typesetting package (InDesign or FrameMaker), but the 'filling' of websites is also a possibility here. Other delivery options include: digital learning resources, automatic ePub generation, filling VLEs (electronic learning environments), and so on. Note that these transformations use software that usually has to be custom developed.

3. Making corrections

One of the main differences between this and the print centric process is that copy should be clean much faster. Substantive corrections can be made, but this is done in the source file and not in the delivered proof. The editor must use a specially designed XML editor for this. All this shouldn't be a problem at all. However, it should be taken into account that procedures are less traditional and that substantive changes that have been implemented become visible in several variants (print, digital).

4. Design Changes

After the XML source is error-free, a layout proof is made. The typesetter will take into account various areas of attention in this layout round:

• Is the page graphically OK? Think of a table that unfortunately breaks across the page, too much space at the bottom of the page because a figure does not touch the previous page, and so on.
• Generation of tables of contents and indexes.
• Are headers and footers correct?
• …