Document management technology applied to parallel viewing

Abstract

Considers the application of document management techniques to create a parallel viewing document. To create and optimize a parallel viewing document for both the writer and the end user, special techniques can be used in a desktop publisher. In the example, we convert and enhance the Australian Standard AS 4100-1990 Steel Code into a document viewing format. This document has a high level of technical content with little explanation. The idea was to create an electronic version of this document that all possible readers could understand. A parallel revision document was created to be used in context to the code. This user would read this revision document and refer to strategic parts of the code. The code, however, is a legal document and must be an accurate representation of the original. The application of parallel viewing documents is enormous. Any technical document that needs explanation could be placed in this format to provide a greater service. The implementation with Interleaf and WorldView appears to be the best solution presently available to the problem. As the use of document viewing becomes commonplace, it is likely that these techniques will be broadly applied. Flexibility of this form is enforced by the ability to edit and rebuild an entire collection in hours, which can be hardly done with printed matter. New documents can be edited and built into viewing collections quickly also in a relatively short period of time. The final products are extremely high quality and of greater utility than present documents.<>