---
title: "2020 archives"
description: "{% for post in site.posts %} {% capture year %}{{post.date | date:"
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/archives-2020/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.

# 2020 archives

1. [Cherryleaf collects tech writer goals for 2021](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/goals-for-2021/) | Dec 27, 2020
2. [Moving to Seattle and making housing decisions using virtual tools](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/moving-to-seattle-exploring-places-with-vr/) | Dec 11, 2020
3. [Job transition: from Amazon to Google](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/job-transition-from-amazon-to-google/) | Dec 3, 2020
4. [Content Strategy Insights podcast with Larry Swanson about API documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/podcast-larry-swanson-api-documentation/) | Dec 2, 2020
5. [The most perfect 17-mile biking loop in Santa Clara](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/biking-the-santa-clara-loop/) | Nov 28, 2020
6. [Finished up the section on documentation processes (for now)](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/documentation-processes-articles-in-api-course/) | Nov 26, 2020
7. [New API course article: Processes for changing internal doc culture](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/processes-for-improving-documentation-culture/) | Nov 26, 2020
8. [New API course article: Processes for external contributors](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/processes-for-external-contributors/) | Nov 26, 2020
9. [Documentation templates and The Good Docs Project -- guest post by Ankita Tripathi](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/documentation-templates-good-docs-project/) | Nov 17, 2020
10. [The story behind Document360 -- podcast with founder Saravana Kumar](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/document-360-podcast-saravana-kumar-founder/) | Nov 17, 2020
11. [Process for collecting feedback post-release (new article in API doc course)](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/process-for-collecting-feedback-post-release/) | Nov 16, 2020
12. [How does Document360 handle challenges with API documentation? A practical review](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/document-360-review/) | Nov 10, 2020
13. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 32: Self-publishing and AsciiDoc, with Mehmed Pasic](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/write-the-docs-podcast-self-publishing-and-asciidoc/) | Nov 2, 2020
14. [Processes for maintaining existing documentation (new article in API doc course)](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/processes-for-maintaining-existing-documentation/) | Oct 30, 2020
15. [Developer experience (DevX) usability (new article in API doc course)](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/devx-usability-examples/) | Oct 12, 2020
16. [Does working outside with the world as your office actually work?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/working-outside/) | Oct 8, 2020
17. [Coffee and Content webinar recording: Treat Code Like Code; Treat Prose Like Prose](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/coffee-and-content-webinar-code-like-code-prose-like-prose/) | Oct 2, 2020
18. [New article in API course: Processes for reviewing documentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/documentation-review-process/) | Sep 23, 2020
19. [On cultivating a garden while the world is crumbling around you](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/cultivating-your-garden-world-crumbling/) | Sep 18, 2020
20. [SmartBear's 2020 API report finds 'Accurate and detailed documentation' to be second-most important characteristic of APIs](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/smartBear-2020-state-of-api-docs-review/) | Sep 10, 2020
21. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 31: Site search, with Peter Levan](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/write-the-docs-podcast-episode-31-site-search-peter-levan/) | Sep 9, 2020
22. [Redocly tutorial added to API course](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/redocly-tutorial/) | Sep 8, 2020
23. [New article in API course -- Questions to ask during a documentation kickoff and demo](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/kickoff-meeting-and-demo-agenda/) | Sep 2, 2020
24. [Inexpensive media hosting and CLI uploading with Wasabi?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/inexpensive-media-hosting-and-cli-uploading-with-wasabi/) | Sep 1, 2020
25. [ISTC article on developer documentation trends](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/developer-documentation-trends-istc-article/) | Aug 31, 2020
26. [Playing a product design role as a content designer -- podcast with Jonathon Colman](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/podcast-colman-playing-product-design-roles-as-a-content-designer/) | Aug 24, 2020
27. [When 10X translates into -10X: debunking the myth of the 10X technical coder/writer](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/debunking-myth-of-10X-writers/) | Aug 20, 2020
28. [SDK release process article added to API doc course](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/sdk-release-process/) | Aug 19, 2020
29. [DX content strategy article added to API doc course](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/dx-content-strategy/) | Aug 19, 2020
30. [Processes for managing large documentation projects and small documentation requests](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/processes-for-managing-doc-work/) | Aug 13, 2020
31. [Webinar -- Optimizing Content Development: Grow Your Content Faster Than You Grow Your Team](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/optimizing-content-development-growing-content-without-growing-team/) | Aug 13, 2020
32. [Part VI: Results from the survey correlating org models and tech writer value](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/reflecting-seven-years-later-about-layoff-evaluating-survey-data/) | Jul 26, 2020
33. [A tip for doc reviews -- bring a list of questions](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/tip-for-doc-reviews-bring-list-of-questions/) | Jul 24, 2020
34. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 30: Documentation templates, with Juan Lara](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/documentation-templates-write-the-docs-episode/) | Jul 20, 2020
35. [Writing productivity tip: Focus sessions](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/writing-productivity-through-focus-sessions/) | Jul 12, 2020
36. [Part VI: Conclusion, analysis, and feedback](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/reflecting-seven-years-later-about-layoff-conclusion-analysis-feedback/) | Jul 1, 2020
37. [Part V: On being strategic, interpersonal, and sponsored](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/reflecting-seven-years-later-about-layoff-clarke-being-strategic/) | Jul 1, 2020
38. [Part IV: Engaging deep enough to blur the lines between content and product design](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/reflecting-seven-years-later-about-layoff-colman-designer-hybrid/) | Jul 1, 2020
39. [Part III: Correlating organization models with low value estimations](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/reflecting-seven-years-later-about-layoff-correlating-org-models-with-value/) | Jul 1, 2020
40. [Part II: Personal layoff stories and reasons](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/reflecting-seven-years-later-about-layoff-collegue-stories/) | Jul 1, 2020
41. [Part I: Introduction and background](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/reflecting-seven-years-later-about-layoff-intro/) | Jul 1, 2020
42. [Developer portal strategies for complex landscapes -- conversation with Kristof van Tomme](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/developer-portal-strategies-complex-landscapes-kristof-van-tomme/) | Jun 24, 2020
43. [What makes a good covid sign?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/what-makes-good-covid-sign/) | Jun 18, 2020
44. [Treat code like code and prose like prose](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/treat-code-like-code-and-prose-like-prose/) | Jun 16, 2020
45. [Diversity in tech comm -- Conversation with John Paz](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/diversity-in-tech-comm-conversation-with-john-paz/) | Jun 12, 2020
46. [What's the point of site search?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/pointless-to-implement-site-search/) | Jun 12, 2020
47. [Making a comfortable office environment when working from home is harder than it seems](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/comfortable-office-environment/) | Jun 4, 2020
48. [API the Docs recording: How Trends in API Documentation Differ from other Tech Comm Trends](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/api-the-docs-virtual-series-fifth-edition-api-doc-trends-design/) | Jun 4, 2020
49. [WTD Australia event recording -- 'Remote discussion: Techcomm in the times of pandemic'](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/write-the-docs-australia-techcomm-times-of-pandemic/) | May 31, 2020
50. [Guest post: Why are technical writers often treated as such an unimportant part of a company?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/why-technical-writers-treated-as-unimportant/) | May 31, 2020
51. [Results of Pandemic Impact on Tech Comm survey](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/results-of-pandemic-impact-on-tech-comm-survey/) | May 26, 2020
52. [Podcast: Building Great Documentation -- WAPI FM radio hour](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/wapi-radio-building-great-documentation-recording/) | May 7, 2020
53. [Short survey about quarantine/pandemic impact on tech comm](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/quarantine-pandemic-impact-on-tech-comm-survey/) | May 7, 2020
54. [Connecting micro content with search analytics -- notes on the first MadCap Flare and MadCap Central 2020 Release](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/connect-micro-content-with-search-analytics/) | May 7, 2020
55. [A user manual for your death?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/user-manual-for-your-death/) | Apr 28, 2020
56. [API doc course update: Re-architecting the OpenAPI spec tutorials to start with visual modeling tools first, then code](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/api-docs-start-with-visual-first/) | Apr 28, 2020
57. [My Knowledgebase Ninjas podcast episode -- Metrics don't work](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/knowledgebase-ninjas-podcast-metrics-dont-work.html) | Apr 15, 2020
58. [API The Docs Virtual Series 2020 -- Upcoming presentations and thoughts on the virtual format](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/api-the-docs-virtual-conference-2020/) | Apr 14, 2020
59. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 29: Salary Survey results and WFH tips, with Eric Holscher](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/write-the-docs-podcast-episode29-salary-survey-and-wfh/) | Apr 13, 2020
60. [Are technical writers increasingly playing non-technical roles? Some thoughts on the evolution of technical writing roles](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/evolving-roles-of-technical-wrters/) | Mar 30, 2020
61. [Podcast: Users as producers of knowledge -- conversation with Nupoor Ranade about how tech writer roles are changing](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/users-as-producers-of-knowledge-nupoor-ranade/) | Mar 29, 2020
62. [Staying updated about what developers are changing -- my techniques for information sleuthing](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/staying-updated-about-what-developers-are-changing-information-sleuthing/) | Mar 26, 2020
63. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 28: UX writing processes and considerations](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/ux-writing-processes-and-considerations-wtd-podcast-episode-28/) | Mar 24, 2020
64. [Tech comm podcasts are growing -- here's a list](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/tech-comm-podcasts-are-growing/) | Mar 24, 2020
65. [Life on reset -- new dynamics emerging](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/life-on-reset/) | Mar 23, 2020
66. [Working from home — things I've bought](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/working-from-home-things-i-have-bought/) | Mar 22, 2020
67. [How life has changed with the pandemic](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/how-life-has-changed-with-the-pandemic/) | Mar 16, 2020
68. [Webinar recording: How Trends in API Documentation Differ from other Tech Comm Trends](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/upcoming-webinar-trends-api-docs-differ-from-other-trends/) | Mar 12, 2020
69. [Introduction to API documentation - Recording from Los Angeles API documentation workshop](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/introduction-to-api-documentation-la-workshop-recording/) | Mar 11, 2020
70. [Is there a place for exploratory writing in the workplace?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/a-place-for-exploratory-writing-in-the-workplace/) | Mar 10, 2020
71. [Podcast: How Paligo is filling a niche in the CCMS market for complex documentation, with Anders Svensson](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/paligo-filling-a-niche-in-ccms-market-for-complex-docs/) | Mar 9, 2020
72. [The Manuscript Podcast, with Breno Barreto -- Episode 2, How technical should a tech writer be?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/the-manuscript-podcast-interview-with-tom-johnson/) | Mar 8, 2020
73. [Checklist of different types of API docs](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/doc-suite-checklist/) | Feb 25, 2020
74. [Podcast with Andrew Davis: Hiring API doc writers -- an inside look at fixing broken processes](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/podcast-andrew-davis-hiring-api-doc-writers-inside-look-fixing-broken-processes/) | Feb 23, 2020
75. [Write the Docs Podcast episode 27: Starting a doc group/process when you're the first](https://idratherbewriting.com/2020/02/21/wtd-podcast-episode-27-starting-docs-from-scratch/) | Feb 21, 2020
76. [*How* you write influences *what* you write — interpreting trends through movements from PDF to web, DITA, wikis, CCMSs, and docs-as-code](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/how-you-write-influences-what-you-write/) | Feb 20, 2020
77. [New podcast: Unifying Technical Content Sets into a Broader Ecosystem, with Cruce Sanders at [A]](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/podcast-with-cruce-sanders-enterprise-versus-agile/) | Feb 14, 2020
78. [Tools FAQ for API doc site](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/tools-faq-for-api-doc-site/) | Feb 13, 2020
79. [Autonomous Agile Teams and Enterprise Content Strategy: An Impossible Combination?](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/agile-teams-and-enterprise-content-strategy/) | Feb 13, 2020
80. [From API docs to developer portals](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/from-api-docs-to-developer-portals/) | Feb 9, 2020
81. [Site update: Switched from Disqus to Commento](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/switch-from-disqus-to-commento/) | Jan 30, 2020
82. [What is a DITA Content Management System (CMS)? guest post by John Baker](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/what-is-a-dita-content-management-system-ccms/) | Jan 27, 2020
83. [Learning about event planning -- life pro tips from Jack Molisani](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/learning-about-event-planning-with-jack-molisani/) | Jan 24, 2020
84. [Updated Intro to API documentation topic](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/updated-intro-to-api-documentation-topic/) | Jan 9, 2020
85. [Reflections on my 2019 site analytics](https://idratherbewriting.com/blog/reflections-on-site-analytics-for-2019/) | Jan 8, 2020