Designing a Supplementary Web-Based Online Help System: A Case Study  

Computerized Medical Systems, Inc. (CMS) has implemented an extensive online help system based on HTML for its FOCUS radiation therapy planning system. Netscape Navigator was selected as the browser because FOCUS is based on the UNIX platform and Netscape was the only HTML browser available for UNIX.

Watson, Frank. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Documentation>Online>Help

Ideas are a Dime a Dozen, So Why Should I Listen to Yours? "Pitching" Your Ideas So That They Will be Heard  

Getting your ideas heard and approved can be difficult any time, but especially when your audience is a supervisor or other decision-maker who is juggling numerous projects, ideas, and deadlines.

Watson, Frank. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Advice

Using a Formal Documentation Development Process  

The need for a more comprehensive documentation development process at Computerized Medical Systems, Inc. (CMS) was identified in an annual year-end review meeting of the CMS User Documentation section. The goal was set to develop and implement such a process. A key component would be a set of comprehensive Content Specification Guidelines. Initial research consisted of reviewing existing literature and compiling a list of information considered essential to effectively plan a documentation project at CMS, based on discussion with software developers and technical communicators as well as experience gained from previous projects. The new process has been in place for about two years and has provided numerous benefits to the company, though some challenges remain. Process (4) that concentrated on the document specification component of the CMS process.

Watson, Frank. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Documentation

Walking Through the Fires: A Case Study of Implementing a Formal Documentation Development Process  

The need for a more comprehensive documentation development process at Computerized Medical Systems, Inc. (CMS) was identified in an annual year-end review meeting of the CMS User Documentation Section. The goal was set to develop and implement such a process. A key component would be a set of comprehensive Content Specification Guidelines. Initial research consisted of reviewing existing literature and compiling a list of information considered essential to effectively plan a documentation project at CMS, based on discussion with software developers and technical communicators as well as experience gained from previous projects. The new process was implemented and has provided benefits throughout the company.

Watson, Frank. STC Proceedings (1999). Presentations>Documentation>Management