The Basics of Quality: Quality and the Writer-Developer Relationship

To bring high-quality communication to the process to improve the quality of the products we produce.

Colvin, Richard D. STC Proceedings (1999). Presentations>Quality

Implementing Help Systems for Java Applications  

Technical communicators are facing a revolution in how we develop online help for software applications. No where is this more apparent than in the development of help systems for applications written in Java. Sun Microsystems, Inc., expects to roll out JavaHelp in the early part of 1998. Until JavaHelp arrives, technical communicators will have to find creative ways to implement HTML help systems for Java applications. The best news is that we have some standards to follow, like HTML, and some methods for browsing HTML help today. The key is to develop scalable help systems designed with the future in mind. This paper discusses some ways you can create HTML help content that works with your applications today and tomorrow.

Colvin, Richard D. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help

Improving Information Quality in Your Web Space: A Take Charge Approach  

With the arrival of the World Wide Web, traditional methods of controlling the quality ofpublished information have been overcome by a technology that allows almost anyone to create and publish information. With this new found freedom in publishing, the quality of information available to the public has decreased when measured by traditional publishing standards. Technical communicators must meet new challenges in monitoring and ensuring that information produced in their organizations and companies is of the highest quality. This paper discusses how the problem evolved and how taking ownership of information on the Web may solve it.

Colvin, Richard D. STC Proceedings (1997). Presentations>Web Design>Workplace

Improving the Writer-Developer Relationship  

Many technical communicators work in environments where their contributions and value-add to business are not well understood. This perpetuates a lack of respect for the technical communication profession on the part of the technologists with whom we work. By improving our overall work processes and practices, we can change the perceptions of those around us for the better, improving our relationships and increasing the quality of our contributions. We can also begin to see technical communication as a practiced profession equal in importance to the professions of the technologists with whom we work.

Colvin, Richard D. and Virginia Beecher. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Workplace>Collaboration

Quality in Action: What Technical Communicators Are Doing to Improve Quality  

Quality continues to be a hot topic among technical communicators, generating vigorous debate and commentary on the STC Quality SIG listserv and in notes to the Quality SIG manager in response to articles in the SIG newsletter or on the SIG website. Some common themes of interest include: how to measure quality, what role technical communicators can play in the ISO 9000 documentation process, how to reduce rework and minimize errors in documentation by developing flexible plans and processes, and how the STC value-added research can help us develop quality metrics for our information.

Colvin, Richard D., Ted Dennison, Lori H. Fisher, Don Lenk and Ralph Robinson. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>TC>Quality>ISO 9000

STC Quality PIC Progression  

This progression is sponsored by the STC Quality Professional Interest Committee. Each subgroup within the Quality PIC is sponsoring a discussion table, with additional topics of special interest to technical communicators. These topics have been selected based on their timeliness and practical value to practicing technical communicators.

Fisher, Lori H., Donald S., Lenk, Jr, Ted Dennison, David Robbins, Richard D. Colvin, Connie 'C.J.' Bibus and Ralph E. Robinson. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>TC>Quality>Professionalism