Listen here: Debbie's presentation on modular writing and reusability was attended by about 200 people. In her presentation, Debbie explained how to chunk content by first looking at different content types: procedures, processes, facts, principles, and so forth. She also mentions a tool called Content Mapper that writers can use to chunk and reuse information through Microsoft Word. A trial version of the DITA version o...
Listen here: Joan, from Lasselle-Ramsay, gives tips for adopting content management, and explains one of the biggest mistakes people make: choosing the tool first and then trying to make it fit their organization's needs. Joan also talks about how to measure success with CMS projects, and how to determine whether your organization needs a CMS.
Listen here: Cindy explains how technical communicators can draw upon visual process flows called UML artifacts to create their documentation. These process flows, also called activity diagrams, visually represent the use cases for software. Based on uniform modeling language, these artifacts/diagrams can also be deliverables that technical communicators create to expand their role beyond mere writers.
Listen here: Adrienne talks about essential characteristics that recruiters must have to attract writers. Recruiters must have good ethics, energy, listening and communication skills.
Listen here: Teresa shares her reaction to the new definition of technical communication, and reflects on Saul Carliner's panel question, “What are we?” She talks about the problems associated with defining such a diverse group of communicators, and also gives tips for editing with tact.
Listen here: Deanne, host chapter president of the Twin Cities chapter, talks about the emerging trend of Web 2.0. She also comments on the need to change our image from writer to communicator. John, a consultant from Vermont, also explains how writers must go beyond just writing and instead branch into other areas, such as information architecture and usability. Both Deanne and John, former teachers of technical communi...
Listen here: Laurel talks about Web 2.0 and the evolving, changing Web. She explains how Web 2.0 technologies, particularly interactive social sites, can benefit the federal government by helping gather information from the public in interactive ways.
Listen here: Brad, a graduate student in the Rhetoric and Technical Communication program at Iowa State University, talks about the issue of academic knowledge versus real world experience. He says it is importance for technical communicators to be more than scribes. Brad also shares his feedback on RoboHelp 7, and provides tips for students to gain the tool knowledge they need for the workplace.
Listen here: Michael says his favorite session was Web 2.0, and explains the difficulty of getting a large organization to adopt some of the Web 2.0 technologies. He comments on the challenge of getting your voice heard in a large organization.
Listen here: Jackie talks about the Learning Resource Center's new online training modules for chapter leaders. These modules will give guidance to anyone coming into a community leadership position. Rachel talks about using XML in a command-line structure and also gives feedback on RoboHelp 7.
Listen here: Jeanette, based in Seattle and part of the IDL SIG, talks about the importance of applying learning theory to e-learning and other multimedia deliverables. She compares Captivate versus Mimic, and expands on ways that SIGs go beyond simple listservs.
Listen here: Next year's conference is in Philadelphia. Lorrie gives some tips for recruiting volunteers and preventing existing volunteers from burning out. She also talks about the importance of modernizing the STC office's technology, and provides her reaction to the new definition of the technical writer.
Listen here: Hillary says she's taking home a new perception about the STC's support of chapters (which was previously questionable). As a professor at the University of Texas, she's also interested in the collaborations between academic and industry practitioners, and is excited about getting the profession defined, accepted, and more valued. She also says she hasn't noticed any attrition among tech comm. students in th...
Listen here: Todd explains some of the issues involved with the Canadian Issues group. He explains why chapter PR is so important, and how getting a list of local media together to give newspapers and other local media can help increase awareness of chapter events.
Listen here: The Chicago chapter won a prestigious chapter of distinction award this year (they won the award at their membership level, 301 to 600 members). Dan, the chapter's treasurer, talks about a critical turning point in their chapter, in which they moved from a point of dependent frustration to independent liberation. In addition to learning to act for themselves, Dan also talks about their chapter's impromptu me...
