What role does specialization play in creating content for mobile and wearable devices in DITA?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Specialization plays a crucial role in creating content for mobile and wearable devices in DITA. As these devices have unique features, screen sizes, and interaction methods, specialized DITA content ensures that the documentation is optimized for the specific needs of users accessing information on mobile and wearable platforms. Here’s how specialization is used in this context:

1. Responsive Design: DITA specialization allows organizations to create responsive documentation. This means that content can adapt to different screen sizes and orientations, ensuring an optimal viewing experience on mobile devices. The DITA example below demonstrates how content can be structured for responsiveness:

<!-- Example: Responsive Design -->
<topic id="t1234">
  <title>Using the Mobile App</title>
  <body>
    <section outputclass="mobile">
      <p>For mobile users, follow these steps:</p>
      <steps>
        <step>Open the mobile app on your device.</step>
        <step>Log in to your account.</step>
        <step>Access your content.</step>
      </steps>
    </section>
    <section outputclass="wearable">
      <p>>For wearable device users, follow these instructions:</p>
      <steps>
        <step>Enable your wearable device.</step>
        <step>Access the app.</step>
        <step>Interact using voice commands.</step>
      </steps>
    </section>
  </body>
</topic>

2. Device-Specific Features: Wearable devices, for example, may have unique features like voice command capabilities. DITA specialization allows organizations to create content that is tailored to these features. The example demonstrates how specific content can be created for wearable devices:

<!-- Example: Device-Specific Features -->
<topic id="t5678">
  <title>Using Voice Commands</title>
  <body>
    <section outputclass="wearable">
      <p>You can control the app using voice commands on your wearable device.</p>
      <ul>
        <li>Say "Open" to launch the app.</li>
        <li>Use voice commands to navigate and interact.</li>
      </ul>
    </section>
  </body>
</topic>

3. User Experience Optimization: DITA specialization also enables the optimization of user experiences on mobile and wearable devices. By delivering content that is concise, relevant, and context-aware, organizations can enhance user satisfaction. Specialized DITA content ensures that users can access the right information when and where they need it.

In summary, specialization in DITA is a powerful approach for creating content that is well-suited to mobile and wearable devices, making documentation more accessible and user-friendly for a diverse range of platforms and technologies.