Chapter 3. Making XML

“Where does the XML come from?”

The question was simple and straightforward, but frustrating nonetheless. It came in the Q&A period after three detailed XML demonstrations at the Chicago InDesign User Group. And it wasn’t the substance of the query that surprised us, but the tenor. It was the same tone usually reserved for questions like: “Where does the Easter Bunny come from?” and “How does Santa fit down the chimney?”

By the blank expressions on the faces of all the other users assembled for the meeting it was clear that the questioner was not alone. It seemed that the three hours of demonstrations had been wasted. We had lost them at “Hello.” Instead of concentrating on the dazzling XML magic taking place up on the projector ...

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