"The Toolkit is for any government agency that is considering XML as a tool for Web site management," said Derek Werthmuller, director of technology at CTG. "The Toolkit contains a library of XML resources and is intended to grow over time and benefit from the contributions of the online community."
The Toolkit contains sections for getting started; practical approaches to getting XML up and running in a variety of environments; samples of different code; useful tools for XML development; helpful hints for specific XML tasks; and links to XML guides and reports. Each area has a "modest," "moderate," and "elaborate" approach to allow the user to start according to their unique environment. A special section will contain a complete deconstruction of the Toolkit Web site for anyone to see how the XML, XSL and ASP work together to produce the Toolkit Web pages. In addition, a feedback section will allow users to let CTG know what they think of the library and to contribute their own resources, code samples, or tips.
XML is an emerging technology that offers a viable long-term solution to many of the shortcomings of HTML because it structures and describes Web content in a meaningful way. As a technical strategy for managing Web sites, XML and associated organizational strategies offer management and productivity benefits, content consistency, and accessibility enhancements.
The Testbed was undertaken in partnership with the Governor's Office of Employee Relations (GOER), the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and the Office for Technology (OFT).
In addition to producing the Toolkit, CTG says it is examining the Testbed activities and the agency results to produce a set of recommended practices, an executive briefing, and a Starter Kit to provide guidance for others trying to improve the management, performance, and value of their Web sites. These products will be made available over the next three months in paper format and through the online Toolkit.
