View source

Table of Contents: [[ETD Guide]]


----


Details regarding a variety of approaches to use in preparing ETDs are found in subsequent parts of 
section 3.2. In all cases, there is a writing phase and a conversion phase, so that an archivable form is 
produced.  The writing phase should allow authors to efficiently and effectively capture their research 
results in a form that will be understandable by others. The conversion phase should take the written 
work and use it to create PDF and/or SGML/XML. 

Authors preparing an ETD must learn about electronic publishing to succeed in their task. In the future, 
costs may decrease on structured editors and other software that directly yields SGML/XML. 
Meanwhile, a small number may invest (their money and time) in such as SoftQuad’s Author/Editor. But 
today, most authors learn about word processing, since it is commonly used for other writing tasks, such 
as letters, reports, papers, articles, and books. Word is the most common word processor. Word Perfect is 
somewhat popular. FrameMaker is a more costly package, harder to learn, but quite powerful, and used 
in professional writing efforts. LaTeX is popular with mathematicians, scientists, and engineers who deal 
with mathematical notation, proofs, equations, etc. 

From word processing systems such as these, it is relatively easy to prepare PDF files.  It also is possible 
to prepare SGML or XML. However, this latter typically requires a good deal of pre-planning, work on 
conversion, and final editing/checking to make sure the archival form correctly conveys the author’s 
intent. 

Some of these efforts yield metadata for ETDs as a byproduct, either directly or in connection with a 
conversion effort. Thus, if “TEI-lite” (drawn from work on the Text Encoding Initiative) is employed, 
metadata can be produced from the document by analyzing the header portion. Generally, however, 
authors prepare a metadata record for their ETD by filling in some type of form, entering in suitable 
information into a database from which the desired representation can be generated as needed. The 
metadata, as well as other forms, may carry a description regarding copyright and other intellectual 
property right management issues. 

In addition to writing, authors may convey their results using multimedia devices.  Special tools are often 
employed to prepare graphic aids, animations, or musical compositions.  Other tools support conversion 
of photographs, video, music, and other formats. In some cases, multimedia content can be included with 
the rest of the work, as when images are included in a PDF file. Irregardless, international standards for 
the various media types, as well as their combinations, should be followed so archivable works result; 
otherwise these parts of an ETD may become lost to interested readers in the distant future.  We aim to 
avoid such losses whenever possible, through training, following best practices, and building upon recent 
work on ETDs, as documented below. 


----


Next Section: [[ETD Guide:Students - Writing in word processing systems|Writing in word processing systems]]