Michael Healy, the Executive Director of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), gave a presentation on XML and BISG's role in promoting XML standards. He explained that BISG has a mission to promote efficiency in the U.S. book industry through standards, many of which are XML-based like ONIX and XBITS. He defined XML as a markup language approved by the W3C to standardize how documents are marked up. He discussed key XML terms like schemas, which define document constraints, and DTDs and style sheets. He concluded by asking what industry support may be needed to take advantage of XML workflows and if new standards, education or information resources are required.

1. Introducing StartwithXML
StartwithXML Forum, New York, February 13, 2008
Michael Healy, ExecuEve Director, Book Industry Study Group

2. BISG and XML
 BISG has a mission to promote efficiency in the
workings of the U.S. book industry
 Standards are central to that mission
 Many of our standards have been XML‐based
 Product informaEon standards (ONIX)
 E‐commerce standards (XBITS)

3. What is XML?
 eXtensible Markup Language
 What’s a Markup Language?
 Mechanism for idenEfying structures in a document
 Not just tradiEonal textual documents
 XML defines a standard way to mark up a
document – approved by W3C
 XML, HTML, SGML and related acronyms ….

4. Some key XML terms
 Schema
 Describes a type of XML document
 Defines the constraints on the content and structure
of that type of XML document
 Presents a high‐level view of the XML document
 Validates that the document conforms to the
schema’s requirements
 Several languages are available in which to express
schemas

5. Some key XML terms
 DTD – Document Type DefiniEon
 One type of XML schema language
 Defines the “building blocks” used in an XML
document – e.g. the elements, aaributes, enEEes
and notaEons
 Validates the XML document, i.e. it confirms that
the document follows the rules defined in the DTD

6. Some key XML terms
 Style sheet
 Describes how an XML document is rendered for
presentaEon and viewing
 PresentaEon or viewing may be screen‐based or
print‐based
 Different style sheets will be needed for different
renderings

7. When today ends
 What support will the industry need to exploit
the benefits of a StartwithXML workflow?
 Are new standards required?
 Are new educaEon and informaEon resources
required?
 BISG is ready and willing to help

8. Thank you.
Michael Healy
michael@bisg.org
646 336 7141