About XML Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple, very flexible text format derived from SGML. Originally designed to meet the challenges of large-scale electronic publishing, XML is also playing an increasingly important role in the exchange of a wide variety of data on the Web and elsewhere. Key benefits of XML include: Content identification - Perhaps the most important aspect of XML is that text elements are identified, not on the basis of what they look like, but on the basis of what they are -- that is, of their significance in the context of a document. Databasing - An XML tagged document can be viewed as fielded text. The fielding makes it possible to break documents down to their component parts to any degree of granularity for storage in a document management system. International Standard - XML is an international standard that is maintained by an independent standards' committee. Platform & Software independent - Because "raw" XML consists only of ASCII and Unicode approved characters (the tags themselves are represented in ASCII), XML data can be moved freely between all hardware and operating system platforms that support these character sets. Endurance - Appearance-based text representations are constantly changing -- making conversion costly when migrating from one software package to another or even when upgrading an existing software package. There is also potential for data loss when performing such conversions. XML, however, is a "permanent" representation. Repurpose data for different publication media - With XML, formatting is done on a "just in time" basis.(Source: Data Conversion Laboratory) How NASA is Using XML: + NASA XML Project: This Web site summarizes some of the NASA XML Project's recent activities to spread the word about XML within the Agency. Resources include project documentation, descriptions of ongoing efforts at various NASA centers, information about the NASA XML Working Group and its XML Registry, and references to selected XML standards, training and tutorial sites. + RSS at NASA: Availavle NASA Feeds include Breaking News, Image of the Day, and Science @ NASA. XML Authoring Guide + Portal XML Authoring Guide [DOC] Specifically written for Science@NASA articles, however this may provide insight into how to convert your Web site to XML and integrate it with the Portal. XML Importing + Portal XML Import Instructions [DOC] Step by step process for setting up your own XML feed to the NASA public portal. + Portal Import Schema [XSD] The definitive version of the XML import schema. Portal Schema + Portal Import Schema [XSD] The definitive version of the XML import schema. + Portal Schema Documentation [DOC] The xml syndication schema documentation provided by eTouch. (Password required.) + OBPR Schema Pilot Presentation [ZIP] Presentation given by Nate Shaw of SAIC explaining how Code U proceeded with their Portal "syndication" project. Some supporting + documents and examples [ZIP] from the Code U effort.