XML WYSIWYG Editor for client

[you_rock]

I have a Flash app that uses XML to populate a quiz. The XML is not very complex but still beyond the ability of the client to edit (they are just intimidated by anything that looks like code).

I have found a few visual, design, or graphical interfaces for XML editing, but they aren't exactly what I am looking for. I was wondering if anyone had a way to edit and modify XML for their clients that is really easy and visual.

I found www Sharp, and Cape Clear SOA editor, and few others with tree modes, but I'm hoping there is something even easier and basic to use.

They would need to


Add new nodes
Browse through nodes
Edit Current Node
Delete nodes
Move and rearrange nodes


I am hoping it looks like just a simple web form with the field names to browse through.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Morg]

Hey

I unfortunately dont have a solution for you, but I would reckon the best way to build one of these would be to use Macromedia Director. They have a thing called fileIO. Apparently awesome!

I know you can edit txt's with it. We used it in a project once where a whole bunch of touch screen kiosks needed updating from 1 computer.

Maybe look into that.
Cheers

[CyanBlue]

I've got to disagree with you, Morg... (Not entirely though... :))
Director is surely a great program and I've done it quite some time, but it is too expensive just for one project unless you already own a copy... Know what I mean??? :)

I think either use C++ or even a server side script to do that... Or use one of those third party projector tools such as Flash Studio Pro or SWF Studio to create a projector that will enable you the power to save a file...

Just my 2 cents, of course... :)

[Morg]

Shot dude!

I agree. The problem is that i dont know jack about server side stuff... not yet at least ;)

Yes, go with what Cyan said... He is da man around these parts!! :D

[tg]

i ran into this same problem a while back.... how to get a user to maintain an xml document, who knows nothing about xml....

since they were really knowledgeable about excell, i had them keep the data in a spreadsheet, then save as xml.

the xml file is really ugly, but it worked for me.

[you_rock]

Interesting ideas. With the Flash Studio Pro, I could build a GUI into the app to edit the XML and then save to it?

I have to think that a lot of people have this problem and that there is something already out there though.

[CyanBlue]

I haven't seen one yet... So, I was going to create a projector that will do the all the custom XML editing and saving and sell it at $999... My wife said that I probably was/am crazy... So, I didn't do it... :p

[you_rock]

I don't know about $999, but people might buy it for $40.

I shall continue my search to the ends of the Earth, for I know it is out there somewhere...waiting for me.

[CyanBlue]

Yeah... I think I've put that in my to-do list at least a couple of years ago, but I never had time to actually do it... Pity it is... :(
Let us know if you find something... :)

[you_rock]

Ok, I found a free (until Oct. 31, 2004) XML visual editor at Altova.com

It is very easy to use and with a XLST allows you to view the document just as it would display on the page (or however you format it). Very nice.

They make a bunch of tools, and they are free until the new version comes out Nov. 1st. Then they'll charge some good $$$. They are good tools though.

[CyanBlue]

That sounds good... Thanks alot... :)

[tg]

yeah xmlspy has been just about he best xml tool around for along time... its robust and generally considered the industry standard.... but check out the studio pricing.... US$1500.00 for the enterprise addition.


and they'll probably sell a ton of them at that price.

[CyanBlue]

Hm... $1500??? I thought that you only need a notepad to do the XML... But then, that's coming from the XML hater... :D

[tg]

yep, notepad..... thats all you need. hehhehheh.

[you_rock]

That is all a developer needs. But try to convince a client that they can edit XML when they can barely use Word...now that might just be worth the money.

[tg]

xmlspy is really not generally used by clients.... its also more a programing tool.

[you_rock]

I was referring to editing in Notepad.

Altova Authentic is the program that the client would use. XMLSpy sets up the XLST stylevision for the interface.

Authentic is free until November.

[tg]

thanks for that.... the 2004 version looks free forever.

[CyanBlue]

I've downloaded Authentic and installed it... It looks like it is rendering the XML file to something whole lot visual, but I have absolutely no idea what I need to do with it... Dumb me... :(

[tg]

yeah, may take a little reading/testing to get right.... may have to make custom xsl file to format the stylesheet the way we want the user file to look.... sorry cb... that may have made no sense to you. hehheh.

[CyanBlue]

Well... Whatever language that is abbreviated(XML, XSLT, XXX) confuses me no matter what... So, I guess I'll survive... :D