Course 8 - File names for ditamap files

[davidnind]

For course 8, Publishing output from DITA sources, the lessons refer to b_ducks.ditamap and m_ducks.ditamap in the command for producing output.

In the downloaded sample files these are actually named _b_ducks.ditamap and _m_ducks.ditamap.

This generates errors when trying to produce the outputs.

My suggestion is to rename the files:

• /en-us/course08-publishing_output/samples/ducks/_b_ducks.ditamap -> b_ducks.ditamap
• /en-us/course08-publishing_output/samples/ducks/_m_ducks.ditamap > m_ducks.ditamap

And update the zip file for downloading.

While I am sure most people can work this out, it may be confusing for those learning DITA.

Topics where the ditmap files mentioned are:

• /en-us/course08-publishing_output/topics/lc_testing_ot.dita (http://www.learningdita.com/topic/lc_testing_ot/)
• /en-us/course08-publishing_output/topics/lc_output_commands.dita (http://www.learningdita.com/topic/lc_output_commands/)
• /en-us/course08-publishing_output/topics/lc_generating_pdf.dita (http://www.learningdita.com/topic/lc_generating_pdf/)
• /en-us/course08-publishing_output/topics/lc_generating_html.dita (http://www.learningdita.com/topic/lc_generating_html/)
• /en-us/course08-publishing_output/topics/lc_install_custom_plugin.dita (http://www.learningdita.com/topic/lc_install_custom_plugin/)
• /en-us/course08-publishing_output/topics/lc_update_custom_plugin.dita (http://www.learningdita.com/topic/lc_update_custom_plugin/)

[simonbate]

Hi David,
Thanks for all your contributions and suggestions on LearningDITA course 8, Publishing Output from DITA.

I'll be responding to your other suggestions, but I wanted to tackle this one first.

Rather than change the file names, I would rather change the references in the course. The reason is this: over time, I've developed a best practice of using an underscore at the beginning of the filename of a root map or bookmap. That way the map or bookmap always sorts to the beginning of the Finder/Windows Explorer/File System display list.

So I'll be making the changes, but I'll also add a note explaining the use of the underscore.

Now, on to your other suggestions!
Simon