ThoutCreator™ tools are a series of free scripts that allow you to author new content or convert existing content into the ThoutReader™ format. Many developers have tons of miscellaneous documentation on their hard drives. Conversion into the ThoutReader™ format will give you the ability to organize, search, bookmark, and append all of your materials from one convenient, open-source application.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: OSoft is in discussions with OpenReader.org to develop the OpenReader platform based in part on existing ThoutReader™ architecture and technology. Using the requirements set forth by OpenReader, standards (including a DTD) will be published, allowing anyone to create content. Creation tools will be developed simultaneously with the new reader.
It's all about XML
The truth is that XML is the preferred method of exchanging data over the web [http://www.w3.org/XML/]. Its rigid format requirements are ideal for converting content into other formats using an XSLT. OSoft developers recognize this fact and designed ThoutReader™ packages to use XML formatted outline markers and XHTML to render content in HTML very quickly. It is our goal to read XML and Docbook formats natively.
We are working on:
Open Office →Thout
Microsoft Word →Thout
Docbook →Thout conversion tools.
Document Type Definitions (DTD)
The genesis behind ThoutReader™ packages is XML. Using an XSLT, we are able convert huge books into the ThoutReader™ format in seconds. A ThoutReader™ package .jar file that contains a style sheet, property sheet, figures and graphics folders, and an XML formatted document that is rendered in XHTML in a ThoutReader™ view pane.
We believe that as XML becomes more prevalent creation of new conversion tools will be easier.
What about PDF?
To many, PDF is the “gold standard” of desktop documentation that lets you view, print, search, and share files across platforms and devices. We don’t argue the point since we use it extensively for delivering sample chapters. The ThoutReader™ is not a typeset paginated view designed to replace postscript and replicate the printed page on the monitor. We argue that is not the best way to view documentation on a computer. Pagination is "relative" and should flow based on the content selected. Thout is designed to make printed material more useful in an electronic format. With the ThoutReader™ you may view an entire chapter, section, or sub-section on one screen.
PDF →Thout conversion is tough. PDF is unstructured and requires us to re-tag the entire document before it is parsed using Perl scripts. We are working on improving the process. Please be patient. If you have expertise in this area, we would like you to contact us.
Download our BETA Creation Tool Now!
The Thout Package format is a simple XHTML format that allows for easy content creation.
A beta version of a conversion tool [XHTML-->Thout Package] is available for you to evaluate from Gary Varnell's (OSoft CTO) personal website . NOTE: The documentation for the conversion tool is NOT completed yet. When you unzip the file you will see a sampledocs folder. Read the xhtml2Thout.html or use the XHTML2Thout.exe to convert it into a ThoutPackage and then read it directly from the ThoutReader™. It is important to read this as it covers the basic structure expected for the document.
Questions or comments should be directed to Gary - gvarnell (at) osoft.com.
