Dozuki will drag service manuals kicking, screaming into 21st century
Posted By Admin on August 25, 2011
Manufacturers in particular may be leery of trusting all their service information to a cloud-based service, but Wiens told Ars that the Guidebook platform already has that covered. The hosting runs on servers that are backed up to multiple data centers. And, once guides and manuals are generated, the content isnt locked to Dozukis system.
I think its really important that people own their data, and we make sure they always have access to it, Wiens said. iFixit worked with OReilly Media to build an open, XML-based document interchange format called oManual. Guidebook also includes the ability to export any manual as a PDF.
In addition to developing the oManual format, however, OReilly is putting its money where its mouth is, so to speak. The Guidebook platform powers OReillys Make Projects website, which includes a variety of DIY how-tos like building a rocket-launched camcorder.
Documentation is underrated, but its really important. Weve really changed the status quothe Apple world is completely different because our manuals are so useful. We are going to give everyone else the technology that allowed us to do it, Wiens told Ars.
Were hoping that by getting a large number of companies working in a standard format, the technical documentation industry will improve.
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