---
title: "2019 archives"
description: "{% for post in site.posts %} {% capture year %}{{post.date | date:"
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/archives-2019/index.html
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at https://idratherbewriting.com/llms.txt. Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any page URL.

# 2019 archives

1. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 26: Technical writing and Reddit, with Alan Bowman](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/wtd-podcast-episode-26-technical-writing-and-reddit/) | Dec 31, 2019
2. [2020 Developer documentation survey](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/developer-documentation-survey-2020/) | Dec 31, 2019
3. [Podcast: API Design and Usability with Arnaud Lauret (API Handyman)](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/api-design-usability-arnaud-lauret-podcast/) | Dec 7, 2019
4. [When reference docs lack a tutorial -- a look at Wescheme's Bootstrap documentation for students learning programming](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/api-reference-docs-need-tutorials-wescheme-bootstrap) | Dec 6, 2019
5. [Upcoming API Documentation Workshop in Los Angeles, Calif., on January 23, 2020](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/upcoming-api-documentation-workshop-los-angeles-jan-23/) | Dec 2, 2019
6. [Reflecting on my latest SF API doc workshop](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/12/02/reflections-on-latest-workshop/) | Dec 2, 2019
7. [Follow-up to 4 Technical Writing Tests Post](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/follow-up-to-technical-writing-tests-post/) | Nov 12, 2019
8. [4 Technical Writing Tests to Screen Candidates](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/technical-writing-tests-for-screening-candidates/) | Nov 4, 2019
9. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 25: Researching how developers use API docs, with Andrew Head](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/wtd-episode-25-researching-how-developers-use-api-docs/) | Oct 27, 2019
10. [Long-term strategies for project productivity](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/long-term-strategies-for-project-productivity/) | Oct 22, 2019
11. [Matching documentation review practices to company culture](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/matching-doc-review-practices-to-company-culture/) | Oct 17, 2019
12. [Some specifications docs I've been working on -- and thoughts on strategies and techniques for managing specs](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/specificiations-documentation-strategies/) | Oct 14, 2019
13. [Podcast with Jacob Moses on the Not-Boring Tech Writer: Skill #26: Getting Started with API Documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/10/03/podcast-with-jacob-moses-on-api-documentation/) | Oct 3, 2019
14. [Podcast: Dealing with Project Overload -- Strategies to Manage Overflowing Documentation Tasks](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/dealing-with-project-overload/) | Oct 2, 2019
15. [Podcast: 10 myths about API documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/ten-myths-about-api-documentation/) | Sep 29, 2019
16. [Expanding embedded Swagger UI instances in your docs](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/embed-swagger-ui-in-your-docs/) | Sep 29, 2019
17. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 24: Conference chatter and the Australian scene, with Swapnil Ogaler](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/wtd-episode-24-wtd-conference-chatter-and-australian-scene/) | Sep 25, 2019
18. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 23: How to write inclusive tech documentation, by Lucie Le Naour](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/write-the-docs-episode-23-inclusive-tech-documentation/) | Sep 10, 2019
19. [An inside look at DeveloperHub -- hosted documentation portals for API docs](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/developerhub-product-faq/) | Sep 10, 2019
20. [Upcoming API Documentation Workshop in San Francisco, Calif., on November 19, 2019](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/upcoming-api-doc-workshop-san-francisco-nov-19/) | Sep 9, 2019
21. [What I learned from organizing and running my first API documentation workshop from end to end](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/organizing-workshop-events-yourself/) | Sep 8, 2019
22. [New topic in API course: Following agile scrum with documentation projects](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/agile-scrum-with-documentation/) | Aug 23, 2019
23. [Can you collaborate on doc projects in Git with other writers?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/collaborating-with-git-with-other-writers/) | Aug 8, 2019
24. [New topic in API course: Five strategies for documenting code](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/strategies-for-documenting-code/) | Aug 8, 2019
25. [New topic in API course: Research on documenting code](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/research-on-documenting-code/) | Jul 29, 2019
26. [New topic in API course: Why documenting code is so difficult](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/why-documenting-code-is-so-difficult/) | Jul 29, 2019
27. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 22: Managing multiple doc projects across Git repositories, with Giles Gaskell](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/wtd-episode-22-managing-multiple-doc-projects-in-git/) | Jul 28, 2019
28. [Single-sourcing data into table templates in Jekyll](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/single-sourcing-data-into-table-templates-jekyll/) | Jul 9, 2019
29. [Upcoming API Documentation Workshop in Mountain View, Calif., on August 30, 2019](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/07/08/upcoming-api-documention-workshop-mountainview/) | Jul 8, 2019
30. [Every project is a monster you battle and slay](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/every-project-is-a-monster-you-battle/) | Jul 3, 2019
31. [If I am learning to write developer documentation, should GraphQL be on my radar? -- guest post by Casey Armstrong](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/graphql-relevance-and-documentation-strategies/) | Jul 1, 2019
32. [Recording of Tech Comm Trends Presentation (STC Puget Sound chapter)](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/tech-comm-trends-stc-puget-sound/) | Jun 8, 2019
33. [ClickHelp -- a flexible online platform for authoring and publishing technical documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/clickhelp-authoring-tool-review/) | Jun 8, 2019
34. [My documentation project plan template](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/documentation-project-plan-template/) | Jun 7, 2019
35. [How to avoid inefficiencies even with context switching](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/avoid-inefficiencies-even-with-context-switching/) | Jun 6, 2019
36. [Reader question: Am I specializing too much by limiting my focus to docs only?](https://idratherbewriting.com/full-stack-technical-writer-versus-more-specialized-doc-role/) | May 22, 2019
37. [Crash course in API documentation -- a one-hour video](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/crash-course-in-api-documentation/) | May 16, 2019
38. [Reader question: Is it a red flag in the hiring process if they tell you that you'll be the only tech writer, with complete control over everything?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/red-flags-tech-writer-with-complete-control/) | May 15, 2019
39. [Reader question: Recommended setup for docs-as-code tooling?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/recommended-docs-as-code-tooling-setup/) | May 15, 2019
40. [Upcoming conference: The Tech Comm Roundup, by The Content Wrangler](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/tech-comm-roundup-conference/) | May 13, 2019
41. [Season of Docs -- opportunities for both tech writers and open-source organizations to benefit from each other](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/season-of-docs/) | May 13, 2019
42. [Technical writer position for Amazon Appstore team in Seattle or Irvine](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/technical-writer-position-amazon-appstore-seattle-may-2019/) | May 12, 2019
43. [My slide links and presentation descriptions at the 2019 STC Summit](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/my-slide-links-times-stc-summit/) | May 4, 2019
44. [The essence of technical writing, and my five stages of review for documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/essence-of-technical-writing-five-stages-of-review/) | Apr 22, 2019
45. [First look at Document360 -- an authoring/publishing tool that satisfies both KB and tech pubs needs](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/document360-hybrid-between-tech-docs-and-support-tools/) | Apr 22, 2019
46. [New video recordings of Raleigh API documentation workshop now available](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/video-recordings-for-raleigh-api-documentation-workshop/) | Apr 21, 2019
47. [How I record audio and video in workshops — all the technical details, equipment, software, post-production techniques, and publishing methods](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/recording-a-workshop-video-audio-technical-details/) | Apr 21, 2019
48. [Flare adds micro content feature, taking steps toward content management for AI scenarios](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/madcap-flare-micro-content-features-support-ai-directions/) | Apr 12, 2019
49. [When you're in the business of complexification](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/the-business-of-complexification/) | Apr 11, 2019
50. [Why I decided not to become a grasshopper expert, or, Not deciding your focus based on where readers are clicking](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/dilemmas-about-focusing-on-traffic-momentum/) | Apr 9, 2019
51. [A hypothesis on how to exert more influence and visibility inside the corporation](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/influence-visibility-inside-corporation/) | Apr 8, 2019
52. [Upcoming API workshops in Raleigh (April 6) and Denver (May 5)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/04/01/upcoming-api-workshops/) | Apr 1, 2019
53. [Recognizing Research Realities Across Technical Communication -- guest post by Kirk St. Amant](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/04/01/research-realities-across-technical-communication/) | Apr 1, 2019
54. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 21: On career growth, leadership, and mentoring in Tech Writing](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/31/wtd-podcast-episode-21-career-growth-leadership-influence/) | Mar 31, 2019
55. [Master's in technical writing at Mercer — FAQ](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/26/masters-in-technical-writing-program-mercer/) | Mar 26, 2019
56. [Results from survey about engineers who write documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/21/trends-with-engineers-writing-docs/) | Mar 21, 2019
57. [My documentation takeaways from the Boeing disaster -- two essential doc questions to ask for any project](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/20/two-doc-takeaways-from-boeing-disaster/) | Mar 20, 2019
58. [Biking at Alviso County Park (Santa Clara)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/17/biking-alviso/) | Mar 17, 2019
59. [Should you get a degree in a tech comm program? Two considerations to keep in mind](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/13/should-you-enroll-in-tech-comm-program/) | Mar 13, 2019
60. [How to encourage risk-taking and idealism without falling prey to cynical attitudes born from experience](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/12/encourage-risk-taking-and-idealism-without-falling-prey-to-cynical-attitudes/) | Mar 12, 2019
61. [XML Documentation for Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) — Integrating documentation and marketing content into a seamless whole](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/10/introducing-xml-documentation-for-adobe-experience-manager/) | Mar 10, 2019
62. [How to design API documentation for opportunistic (active, experiential) learning styles](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/07/how-to-design-api-documentation-for-opportunistic-behavior/) | Mar 7, 2019
63. [Confronting the fear of growing older when you're surrounded by young programmers](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/07/confronting-fears-of-aging-in-technology-environments/) | Mar 7, 2019
64. [Write the Docs podcast episode 20: Minimum requirements for good tech docs, with Matt Reiner](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/03/wtd-podcast-episode-20-documentation-standards/) | Mar 3, 2019
65. [Corporate exodus narratives: A close look at the tension between the corporation and academia](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/03/01/corporate-exodus-narratives-tension-between-academia-and-corporation/) | Mar 1, 2019
66. [Recording and slides for my trends presentation at the Symposium for Communicating Complex Information (SCCI)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/02/24/slides-for-trends-preso-symposium-for-communicating-complex-info/) | Feb 24, 2019
67. [Asserting your expertise as a SME in the workplace: Q&A with Jennifer Mallette and Megan Gehrke](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/02/15/asesrting-your-tc-expertise-in-the-workplace/) | Feb 15, 2019
68. [How to become a 10X technical writer in the workplace](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/02/07/how-to-become-a-10x-technical-writer-in-the-workplace/) | Feb 7, 2019
69. [How to motivate users to provide feedback: Show that you're listening to their input](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/02/01/motivating-user-feedback-through-survey-links/) | Feb 1, 2019
70. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 19: Static site generators, with Jessica Parsons](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/01/31/static-site-generators-write-the-docs-podcast-episode-19/) | Jan 31, 2019
71. [Recording of Trends presentation on The Content Wrangler BrightTALK channel](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/01/17/recording-brighttalk-trends/) | Jan 17, 2019
72. [Site analytics from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2018 -- are more engineers writing docs now?](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/01/14/site-analytics-from-2018-59-percent-traffic-going-to-api-doc-site/) | Jan 14, 2019
73. [Employment and salary outlook for technical writers based on the 2017-2018 STC Salary Database](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/01/08/employment-and-salary-trends-2018-bay-area/) | Jan 8, 2019
74. [The absolute worst that can happen in 2019, or, Imagining a dystopian corporatocracy emerge after a permanent government collapse](https://idratherbewriting.com/2019/01/07/the-absolute-worst-that-can-happen-in-2019/) | Jan 7, 2019