Table of Contents
Strictly Structured Content
25. August 2025
Table of Contents
Virtual Types or Lists enable users to work more easily with content in Fotoware Alto that adheres to a defined structure without having to worry about the output format of the content. A defined structure is common to Lists or Virtual Types.
Structure for Virtual Types
| Virtual Type | Structure |
|---|---|
| Press Release | Headline; Subhead, Body; Footer |
| Landing Page | Title; Overview; Details; Form Link |
| Job Listing | Title; Description; Requirements; Contact |
| News Item | Headline; Subhead; Body |
Structures for lists
| List | Structure |
|---|---|
| Product | SKU; GTIN; Bricks; Name; Short description; Description; Unit; Price; Supplier; Hero Shot |
| Project | Project ID; Name; Duration; Topics; Project Managers, Lead Organisation |
| Organization | Name; Managers; DUNS; NAICS; Website; Contact |
| Event | Name; Place; Date; Audience; Organizer; Duration; Keywords |
No matter how different the content of two press releases might be, it is common for their structures to be similar, if not identical. Content using the same layout structure is the basis for creating content that is based on templates when using a program like InDesign, and it is the basis for creating content based on Virtual Types.
Strictly structured content
The content created from within Fotoware Alto is strictly structured, which means its structure remains consistent. This approach enables external systems to access the content reliably for publishing or further processing.
Using the example above, an external system that publishes your press releases would know to expect a Headline, Subhead, Body, and Footer in each release. Further, the boundaries between each content section would be clear, so the system could more reliably publish the content without formatting errors.
Strictly structured content should not be confused with structured content, which describes the approach used with XML-based authoring, whereby tags surround content and define the structure. With Strictly Structured content, you enter each piece of content into a unique field, where it is isolated from surrounding content without the use of tags.
Separating content from formatting
The goal of this strictly structured content approach is to create content that remains independent from formatting and is assembled from reusable content blocks, where possible.
Separation of content and formatting offers several benefits:
- Content can be more easily repurposed across publishing channels and devices because it can be formatted as needed
- Content remains usable after branding changes
- Users don't need to worry about formatting when creating the content
- Localization (translation) is straightforward because the structure provides context
Concepts such as content as a service require that content remain unformatted and tailored to the requirements of the licensee. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_as_a_Service.)