Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Keynote Really is XML

Posted by pudge on from the well-yeah dept.

jonknee writes "During the latest MacWorld keynote, Steve Jobs announced new presentation software dubbed Keynote. It looked pretty sweet, but what caught my ear was Jobs' remark that it was XML based. As soon as I got my hands on Keynote, I investigated the .key file and found its XML portion (which is quite excellent XML at that). For those not lucky enough to have the software, I posted the blank presentation I took a peek at." I just want to know when someone is going to write up a Keynote module for Perl ...

4 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. Could be a nice thing, if ... by Void · · Score: 5, Interesting
    This could be a very nice thing, on two conditions:
    • The DTD is public and uses "real", decent method/objects names and not some criptic stuff
    • Apple won't sue anyone that makes a "compatible" package!
    1. Re:Could be a nice thing, if ... by skinfitz · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I assume Apple won't prosecute others for creating the files

      He also said that the file format was open and that they want people to create their own files or apps that read and write to Keynote files.

  2. Re:XML is not a panecea by MrAndrews · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wish this were better understood by the world at large.

    The second the keynote ended, I got calls from any of the Mac-user clients I've ever had asking me if I could write them tools to connect their various systems to their Keynote presentations. "Ummm, yeah..." is all I can say, though that answer can also apply to "can you make a full scale model of a porcupine out of toothpicks?"

    The first tools that take advantage of the XML will be written by the most dedicated programmers, or those who don't know how to say no.

    --
    The world's only surviving livewriter.
  3. Re:XML is not a panecea by smallpaul · · Score: 3, Interesting

    On the flip side, though, I've made great progress deconstructing the files and have got a decently-workable tool for one client already. But it'd be much nicer if something were written out. Thinking is hard work.

    Of course: documentation is good. The lack of documentation sucks. But your admitted progress refutes the idea that "XML doesn't make any difference." I defy you to make as much progress starting from the PowerPoint binary file format. You say that they're marketing a small piece of the puzzle but I think that it is demonstrably a pretty large part of it and YOU'RE the proof!