/////\\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\///\\\/\ \ / \ Welcome to the SGML Newswire! \ / / \ To subscribe, send email to sgmlinfo@avalanche.com \ \ with body of message SUBSCRIBE 'your emailaddress' / / To unsubscribe, send message 'unsubscribe' \ \ To receive SGML FAQ, send message 'send FAQ' / / \ \ To receive a current table of contents, and / / instructions for ordering back issues, \ \ specify 'send toc' in the body of your / / message. Please also pass along info \ \ to interested colleagues. / / \ ////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\///\\\\/// DCL ANNOUNCES FIRST SGML CARTOON: ================================= This information is from Don Zirilli, of DCL: --------------------------------------------------------------------- DCL Launches World's First SGML Cartoon And It's Only In Cyberspace Fresh Meadows, NY, June 28, 1996 _ The premiere episode of the world's first SGML cartoon went on-line today at Data Conversion Laboratory's website (http://www.dclab.com). The cartoon is called "The Adventures of Wizzy the Owl" and a new episode will go on-line every Friday morning. According to its creator, Don Zirilli, the cartoon is a World Wide Web version of a comic strip that will focus on the advantages of using SGML and the perils of getting there. "If somebody already has a cartoon like this, we don't know about it," says Don, who has been developing marketing materials for DCL for over two years. "Mark [Mark Gross, President of DCL] was very excited about the idea. It's a great way to talk about SGML." SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) represents a different approach to storing and maintaining documents. The focus is on structure, rather than appearance, which offers many advantages, including multiple uses, intelligent search and retrieval, and enforcement of stylistic rules. The first episode, however, makes no mention of SGML. I asked Don about this. "I'm still establishing the story at this point, but don't worry. I've got the story line worked out for weeks in advance and there'll be plenty of SGML soon enough. There's also no sign of Wizzy yet." Wizzy the Owl is DCL's mascot. Mark Gross explains, "He represents the wisdom that's required to get through the complications of a conversion. DCL has built up this wisdom through years of experience. The name `Wizzy' is based on WYSIWYG [What You See Is What You Get]. Our primary goal is `no surprises.' What our clients see in their original material is what they'll get from their new material. But if they want changes, we'll make sure the client sees what those changes entail before the conversion begins." I asked Don how he intends to work SGML into a comic format. "It's not easy. I chose a fantasy kingdom as my setting because it can be similar to a corporate hierarchy, but allows for more drama. CEO's, for instance, don't usually go around executing people. Actually, though, once you get through the technical mumbo jumbo, the issues surrounding SGML can be pretty dramatic. It's a critical part of the Information Revolution, after all." Additional information on SGML, document conversion and the Information Revolution is available on DCL's web site. Data Conversion Laboratory, in business over 15 years, provides conversion services and software designed for publishers and technical documentation developers. DCL's unique approach goes beyond conversion; DCL actually upgrades and reorganizes legacy documents to the new and more exacting requirements of SGML and Web publishing. The company supports all major electronic formats including FrameMaker, Interleaf, BookMaster, Folio, Quark, MS Word, troff, Xyvision, Ventura, WordPerfect, HTML, etc. _ plus paper and microfilm. DCL is a leading conversion vendor to industries such as aerospace, legal & reference publishing, pharmaceutical, automotive, telecommunications, computer hardware & software, and utilities. DCL's clients include General Motors, Freightliner, Sikorsky, WGL, McDonnell Douglas, Butterworth, and ISSC. For more information contact: Don Zirilli Writer Data Conversion Laboratory 184-13 Horace Harding Expressway Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 USA Tel: +1.718.357.8700 Fax: +1.718.357.8776 E-mail: dzirilli@dclab.com WWW: http://www.dclab.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- Interesting ideas, Don...Good Luck! ////\\\\////\\\\///\\\///\\\\////\\\\///\\\\///\\\\///\ \ / / SGML NEWSWIRE LIST MANAGER \ \ Sue Martin-Gamble, Interleaf / \ 4999 Pearl East Circle, Ste 100 \ / Boulder, Colorado 80301 / \ VOX 303/449-5032 x 109 \ / FAX 303/449-3246 / \ sue@avalanche.com \ / / ////\/\/\/\/\//////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\////\\\\//\\\\\/ ***For article submission, email sue@avalanche.com ***