XProc Made Easy (er) July 8, 2009
Posted by Lee Dallas in Content Management.Tags: Documentum, EMC, xDB, xproc
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This is number one on my list of cool things I want to learn but don’t have time for. In fact – this post will be shorter than I would like because I need to get back to the day job. Jeroen van Rotterdam has posted links in the ECN to the newly released XProc engine from EMC. The new product is the first commercially available tool that is compliant with the Xproc spec and is available for download free for development purposes.
Looking at Xproc takes me back to my early days pouring over Omnimark scipts in a VI editor trying to follow which stream was doing what. What excites me is that we are also making available an IDE to make learning and implementing Xproc in applications easier. Back in the day SGML could always do what XML does but adoption was hindered by access to affordable tools. XML and its simplification of self describing data made those cheaper tools possible. More importantly XML fostered a demystification of the technology and broader adoption. Better graphical tools soon followed.
I can’t wait to try it out but it will be a while so don’t wait on me.
SDL Buys Xyvision June 29, 2009
Posted by Lee Dallas in Content Management.Tags: acquisition, ECM, EMC, Open Text, SDL, Xyvision
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On Xyvision’s website today we learned that they have been acquired by SDL. (thanks to @billtrippe for the tweet) I first ran across SDL while I was working on a globalization project several years ago. At the time SDL seemed very much focused on the services rather than the software end of things. Most of their revenue comes from the human translation services business with the software being a necessary third party player. (more…)
XML Thought of the Day June 19, 2009
Posted by Lee Dallas in Content Management.Tags: XML ECM
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Will we geeks ever learn that real people don’t care about XML? Its like explaining the importance of gravity in a Wal-Mart checkout line. Sure it applies but you don’t have to think about it to buy a pack of gum.
eDiscover – The Carrot or the Stick? June 9, 2009
Posted by Marko Sillanpää in Content Management.add a comment
So I must admit, the more I learn about eDiscovery the more confused I get. No it’s not the technology the leaves me in a quandary. It’s why companies are still thinking about how they might resolve the problem then actually deploying solutions. On one side you have millions in costs searching for documents. On the other side you have the potential to loose millions in a lawsuit. These are two opposite sides of a coin but either way you look at it you’ll be spending more than pennies to resolve this. Yet still company sit around contemplating if it’s in this years budget or next.
I got an opportunity to hear attorney Ralph Losey speak on the topic, at the Content Management and Archiving Writer’s Summit, and he drop some interesting facts. So I thought, maybe I’d try one more time. We get accused of using “the stick” to often so maybe some soft talk with “the carrot” is what’s needed.
Lost Knowledge – DM Partner’s Essence June 4, 2009
Posted by Marko Sillanpää in Content Management, Technology, Translation.Tags: Content Management, Translation
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I had the incredible fortune last month to find myself in the hearts of two very different ancient civilizations. I hinted in a previous article to my trip to Acropolis of Athens, the very birth place of Western Thought. A planned trip with all the expected turns and a few surprises. My second journey found me climbing the 3rd largest pyramid in the world at Teotihucan, outside Mexico City. An unplanned trip that even with some quick research would shake the foundations of my global knowledge.
I had planned to write about Western Thought and it’s ties to content management today, but as I walked in the footprints left so many years ago I realized that the current path often leaves behind many things only to be relearned. It is with this in mind that I’d like to go back in the history of content management and shine a light on some technologies that have disappeared.
Content Management at 32K Feet June 1, 2009
Posted by Lee Dallas in Content Management, ECM.Tags: Airtran, ECM, Mark Malkoff, WIFI
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I am probably behind the curve on this one but I am writing this post using Airtran’s WIFI on a cross country flight. Two rows up there is a guy by the name of Mark Malkoff (@mmalkoff). A comedian/filmaker whose latest project is living on an airplane for a month. I got curious about the WIFI thing when I noticed he had twitter up so I dug out the laptop, paid my $13 and decided to try it out.
At times I am in awe at how far we have come with the technology. When you really think about the miracle of writing a blog post at 500MPH and 32K feet and having it published immediately you can’t help but think its cool. Haven’t tried the corporate VPN yet though because I’m too fat to reach the FOB on my key chain in this tiny little seat. (more…)
xDB Matters May 28, 2009
Posted by Lee Dallas in Content Management, Documentum, ECM.Tags: Documentum, ECM, EMC, MarkLogic, X-HIVE, xDB, XHive
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XML Databases are not new. People have been working with the concept (if not the name) for a decade. One of the primary vendors in the space, MarkLogic, just announcedthey raised $12.5 m USD in series D funding. This is a notable event – not so much for the company but more for the technology. It shows that one of the most important communities – the VC market – believes XML databases have growth potential worth investing in in this very uncertain economy.
This ought to be enough to get you interested in exploring the technology if you haven’t already but there is more. I recently spent some time getting up close and personal with EMC Documentum’s xDB. (formerly known as xHive). I have to say I have seldom enjoyed getting my geek on more. It is an extremely powerful technology that you need to get familiar with because it will play an increasingly important role for content management technology in EMC and beyond.
Who Is Left to be Next May 12, 2009
Posted by Lee Dallas in Content Management.Tags: Hyland, Interwoven, onbase, Open Text, OpenText, vignette
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Last week’s Open Text and Vignette news gave us all a great deal to think about but now that this long awaited shoe has finally dropped we are left to wonder – who is left? Vignette had been on the ropes for so long it was only a matter of time but are any of the remaining players of any size attractive acquisition targets. (more…)
Open Text the New CA May 6, 2009
Posted by Marko Sillanpää in Content Management, ECM.Tags: acquisition, Open Text, OpenText, vignette
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In the high-tech arena, many companies names really stand out. Not only for their products but also their business style. Most have connotations of both positive and some negative. But one stands out on it’s own, Computer Associates, or CA as it is more commonly known.
Strangely enough I have never meet an employee of CA. A company of such size should have at least an active partner community. I don’t mean to offend any employees when I say this but we have all heard CA used synonymously with the grim reaper, vultures, or even bottom feeders. And based on it’s latest acquisition at least one company is following their business model, Open Text.
Open Text Sucks up Vignette May 6, 2009
Posted by Lee Dallas in Content Management.Tags: acquisition, Open Text, OpenText, vignette
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I seriously think they need to change the name to Hoover. Open Text sucks up another WCMS vendor in embattled Vignette. I had blogged about this all the way back in August of last year. Marko more recently pondered it’s fate and if nothing else at least the speculation is over. I suppose the bargain is too good to pass up but I can’t see where this adds anything to Open Text’s portfolio other than maintenance revenue.
