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About Samalander
Samalander is all about technical writing -- and technical writing productivity.
We believe you can double, triple, or even quadruple your productivity with new technologies such as the OASIS DITA XML standard. We know because we've done it, as shown in the graphs "Words","Words Counted Once", "New Pages", and "Pages".
We accomplished this increase with a mix of
- high-value, low-cost Samalander software,
- knowledge, and
- experience in setting up friendly, simple, and effective authoring and publishing environments for technical documentation.
We believe you, independent contractors and small writing teams, can do at least as well.
Let us help.
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Assumes publishing only once per major release in year. Ignores
re-publishing, that is published for minor releases, SME review,
Draft, Preliminary and multiple Standards. Based on actual data
derived from Samalander's experience in small writing groups in
multi-nationals and as independent contractors. -
Assumes publishing only once per major release in
year. Ignores re-publishing, that is published for minor releases,
SME review, Draft, Preliminary and multiple Standards. Based on
actual data derived from Samalander's experience in small writing
groups in multi-nationals and as independent
contractors. -
Assumes publishing only once per major release in
year. Ignores re-publishing, that is published for minor releases,
SME review, Draft, Preliminary and multiple Standards. Based on
actual data derived from Samalander's experience in small writing
groups in multi-nationals and as independent contractors. -
Assumes publishing only once per major release in year. Ignores
re-publishing, that is published for minor releases, SME review,
Draft, Preliminary and multiple Standards. Based on actual data
derived from Samalander's experience in small writing groups in
multi-nationals and as independent contractors.
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Software
The modules in the Samalander Software Center check and fix XRefs, ConRefs, generate online help and EPub, debug your DITA files, generate meaningful metrics, package DITA projects and much more. We deliver all of that without making you learn about and maintain an advanced Content Management System or the DITA Open Toolkit (DITA-OT).
Our basic Samalander Software Center is free and includes a suite-level Sanity Checker, White Space Remover, and Book.MIF-to-Ditamap generator.
Other modules cost $19.95 to $149.95 depending on capability and the time we know they can save you in the first month. We know these modules save time because we use them as professional technical writers.
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Knowledge
Articles
Samalander publishes articles on solving day-to-day issues related to the implementation of XML / DITA. Our current focus is articles about FrameMaker, oXygen, and DITA markup.
Tools
We recommend basic tools that allow small groups in large corporations independent contractors to implement XML / DITA solutions and provide information and software to make any XML / DITA deployment practical and cost effective, including debugging XML / DITA at the suite or customer level.
Organizing your Authoring Environment
DITA allows smalls teams and freelance contractors to achieve most of productivity benefits enjoyed by large corporations -- the ones that can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on advanced publishing systems.
However, to get those benefits without the large investment, you have to organize your file system to support suite-level authoring. These articles explain how to approach and implement suite level organization in the file system.
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Services and Support
Samalander provides various services depending on your need.
- Customized XML / DITA software to solve XML / DITA problems.
- Implementation of XML / DITA authoring systems.
- Training in XML / DITA.
- Technical Writing services, including providing technical writers.
- Contract resources in engineering and software development at 8% to 12% overhead.