http://tc.eserver.org/authors/Kurtus,_Ron A bibliography of works by Kurtus, Ron in the field of technical communication. en-us Copyright (c) 2005-08 by the EServer. All rights reserved. tclib-editorial@eserver.org (TC Library Editorial Board) webmaster@eserver.org (Geoffrey Sauer) http://tc.eserver.org/images/newlogo.gif http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Kurtus,_Ron http://tc.eserver.org/31000.html http://tc.eserver.org/31000.html ISO 9000 requires that records be kept of critical operations. Record keeping is the fourth tier of required documentation in ISO 9000, following the Quality Policy Manual, Procedures, and Work Instructions. http://tc.eserver.org/27488.html http://tc.eserver.org/27488.html One of the most important and difficult parts of technical documentation concerns writing in a concise manner. Technical writing is different than writing fiction or magazine articles, where a mood may be set or--in some cases--where space must be filled. (People seldom buy thin books.) http://tc.eserver.org/27501.html http://tc.eserver.org/27501.html There are four tiers of documentation recommended for satisfying ISO 9000 requirements. These documents are: the Quality Policy Manual, Procedures, Work Instructions, and Records. http://tc.eserver.org/27499.html http://tc.eserver.org/27499.html Whenever you set a goal to achieve something, are given a work assignment or are presented with a challenge, five factors are involved in determining whether you will be successful in the activity. http://tc.eserver.org/27497.html http://tc.eserver.org/27497.html Whether you are doing the whole job, have been assigned a critical part of the project or are managing the production of the technical manual, you need to know the process involved. http://tc.eserver.org/27498.html http://tc.eserver.org/27498.html Every business--large or small--needs documentation to operate effectively. Requirements for extensive internal documentation are spelled out in the ISO 9000 series of international standards. The major classifications of needed documents include marketing, user guides, administrative material and published works. Technical communicators are needed to write each of these types of documents. http://tc.eserver.org/20565.html http://tc.eserver.org/20565.html Macromedia Flash uses a movie-making metaphor in how they define their concepts and areas of their interface. The basic terms used to describe the animation are the movie, stage and motion. http://tc.eserver.org/20563.html http://tc.eserver.org/20563.html Macromedia Flash is a popular animation application that can produce some striking special effects. In professional web sites, Flash must be used effectively instead of simply for novelty. Business applications of Flash can advertise a product or showcase a skill-set. Educational applications can use Flash to provide multimedia instruction. Entertainment applications of Flash include games and cartoons. http://tc.eserver.org/20564.html http://tc.eserver.org/20564.html The reason to use Macromedia Flash is usually to provide a solution or to satisfy the need of the Web site owner. Typically, Flash is used to create a company image through animations and special effects in the splash page or even throughout the site, establish better user understanding through demonstrations and simulated processes, and/or entertain or educate through animated cartoons and games. http://tc.eserver.org/20562.html http://tc.eserver.org/20562.html Macromedia Flash is primarily an animation development application. Its feature-set includes such things as vector-based drawing, Web animations and interactive effects. Drawing is required for animation, which in turn is part of interactive effects. http://tc.eserver.org/20567.html http://tc.eserver.org/20567.html Before you start developing a Flash animation, it is a good practice to write out a plan of action. The reason is that any type of software development can be complex. Good planning helps to avoid mistakes that may be difficult to find and fix. http://tc.eserver.org/10705.html http://tc.eserver.org/10705.html Indexing a document is an art in itself. Since Adobe FrameMaker is the program of choice for most companies producing technical documentation, it is worth while to find out how to create an index in FrameMaker. http://tc.eserver.org/10703.html http://tc.eserver.org/10703.html When you are assigned to a writing project, you must be sure you are doing what is really wanted or needed. You also need to know how long the job will take and need to follow some general project management methods, as applied to a writing assignment. An important part of managing a writing project is documenting all the requirements and initial factors. You should also document your progress, the outcome and lessons learned. This will help you in this project and in future writing projects. http://tc.eserver.org/10708.html http://tc.eserver.org/10708.html Some technical writers go into business for themselves as freelancers or independent contractors. A number of those become successful enough to form a writing company and hire a staff of other writers. In either case, the technical writer who is in business for him- or herself must continually perform marketing to maintain a steady income. http://tc.eserver.org/10704.html http://tc.eserver.org/10704.html Many companies are starting to use eLearning to train their workers, managers, customers and suppliers. Some of those companies want to use their internal technical writers or communicators to not only write the content, but also to develop the CBT or WBT. http://tc.eserver.org/10702.html http://tc.eserver.org/10702.html Many technical communicators are tasked with converting user manuals and other documentation written in Adobe FrameMaker into online help using eHelp (formerly Blue Sky) RoboHelp. The problems they face concern not only going from FrameMaker to RoboHelp but also how to put the content in a form that is effective for online help. The solution is not difficult, provided the writer follows a methodical approach. http://tc.eserver.org/10707.html http://tc.eserver.org/10707.html RoboHelp is a top application for developing online help. It is also used for developing Web-based help, such as JavaHelp and RoboHelp's WebHelp. Besides being used for online or Web-help, RoboHelp can also be used to develop simple tutorials.