http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Articles/Advice A listing of the most recently indexed works about Articles and Advice 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/Articles/Advice http://tc.eserver.org/35784.html http://tc.eserver.org/35784.html With mobile phones, email, instant messaging, and the like we're expected to be available at all times. It should be this way, and this article explains one path to taking control of your communication. http://tc.eserver.org/35785.html http://tc.eserver.org/35785.html Is it hard for you to find the time to write the things that you want to write? This article looks at some changes that you can make to your life in order to free up that time. http://tc.eserver.org/35786.html http://tc.eserver.org/35786.html Writing quickly is a skill that you should definitely cultivate. This blog post looks at four techniques that you can use when you need to write quickly. http://tc.eserver.org/35745.html http://tc.eserver.org/35745.html What is flow? It’s kind of like a river of writing, it’s an uninterrupted stream of consciousness directly from the source of your creativity through your brain, into your nervous system, out your hands, into your computer. I like to think of it as zen writing meditation. There is some important prep work that needs to be done before you’re ready for some serious writing flow time. http://tc.eserver.org/35746.html http://tc.eserver.org/35746.html Are you prone to digital fiddling? I am. In fact, I’ve increased my skills of digital fiddling so much that I hardly notice that I’m putting off writing. There are three actions you need to take. http://tc.eserver.org/35533.html http://tc.eserver.org/35533.html The actions you take during your first few months in a new role have a major influence on whether you ultimately succeed or fail. Transitions are pivotal times, in part because they are when everyone expects change to occur. They're also times of great vulnerability, when new leaders lack established working relationships and detailed knowledge of their new roles. If you fail to build momentum during your transition, you will face an uphill battle from then on. http://tc.eserver.org/35484.html http://tc.eserver.org/35484.html While many designers have been quick to embrace web standards, it’s surprising how often the basic standards of typography are neglected. Here are ten deadly sins to avoid in your web typography. http://tc.eserver.org/35410.html http://tc.eserver.org/35410.html Below are twenty do's and don'ts of effective web design. Study, read, (re)read and print this page. It will help either make or break your website. And don't hesitate to let us know of anything we might have left out, in the comments below. We love getting your opinions on things and discussing the articles with you -- after all, you're quite possibly the coolest people in the world. http://tc.eserver.org/35086.html http://tc.eserver.org/35086.html Most people consider writing to be a creative endeavor, and in some situations, it certainly is. But creativity is not just associated with writing, art, and the humanities. Penelope Trunk broadens creativity to include problem solving too. http://tc.eserver.org/34983.html http://tc.eserver.org/34983.html You can avoid adverbs most of the time by cutting them out -- the reader can do just fine without the extra information. http://tc.eserver.org/34978.html http://tc.eserver.org/34978.html Writing tightly means packing the most information into the least amount of space. It's not easy, but when you do it, the result is like magic. The key to being an effective writer is to keep what you’re writing short, to the point, and easy to read. Like the best writing on the Web. http://tc.eserver.org/34780.html http://tc.eserver.org/34780.html Have you ever received a review comment that totally ticked you off? Perhaps a sarcastic comment with no practical suggestion for improving the content? Maybe even one that questioned your abilities as a writer and the value of your contribution to the product? The dangerous thing about being a writer is that you're well equipped for unleashing scathing replies. If your buttons have been pushed, chances are your retaliation will bite deep and leave no room for misinterpretation. After all, you sling words for a living, right? Like the hands of Kwai Chang Caine, your words are deadly weapons. Hold that thought. http://tc.eserver.org/34770.html http://tc.eserver.org/34770.html Unstoppability. What does that mean to you? To Tom Johnson, it's about leading a life with passion and engagement. In this guest blog post, Tom talks about unstoppability and how it applies to technical communication. http://tc.eserver.org/34573.html http://tc.eserver.org/34573.html Bullets definitely have their place in writing. But far too often, they're used to replace crisp, well-thought-out writing. http://tc.eserver.org/34547.html http://tc.eserver.org/34547.html It's easy enough to fall into the trap of identifying yourself with what you do for a living. This blog post looks at why you shouldn't do that. http://tc.eserver.org/34480.html http://tc.eserver.org/34480.html No great website in history has been conceived of by more than three people. Not one. This is a dealbreaker. http://tc.eserver.org/34324.html http://tc.eserver.org/34324.html The PowerPoint tips featured here are not about creating better or more effective presentations, instead they help you avoid any last minute surprises that may crop up when an eager audience is waiting to see your slide show. http://tc.eserver.org/34138.html http://tc.eserver.org/34138.html As a presenter, I feed off the energy of the audience. I used to think that the audience determined the energy in the room, but after applying some of Jerry Weissman’s principles, I learned the presenter has more control over the room than I previously thought. http://tc.eserver.org/33885.html http://tc.eserver.org/33885.html In all, my experiences volunteering in the STC Carolina chapter have been very rewarding. I recommend dipping your toes in the water and trying something out. Email or call someone on the administrative council and ask what needs to be done. Start small. You might be surprised at the return on investment. http://tc.eserver.org/33274.html http://tc.eserver.org/33274.html Managing content is the key task in keeping a website strategic and fresh. Content management requires commitments to develop and follow a standard set of publishing processes, archiving strategies/lifecycle rules, and coordination with marketing, sales, training and customer service. http://tc.eserver.org/32692.html http://tc.eserver.org/32692.html If the manual is for novices, make sure that the average person can understand what has been written (that is, don't include a lot of jargon or technical assumptions). This is sometimes very difficult for a writer who is a subject matter expert. He or she may have forgotten what it's like to know absolutely nothing about that particular subject. http://tc.eserver.org/32664.html http://tc.eserver.org/32664.html Bottom line is there are two types of writers: those who believe in writer’s block and those who don’t. Neither will deny the magic and energy that possesses an author when inspiration rears its mysterious head, but where their approach to writing differs is how the time is spent between those moments of inspiration. http://tc.eserver.org/32057.html http://tc.eserver.org/32057.html Website software and templates have made it easier for inexperienced website designers to create and maintain their own websites. Prior to the development of such items, if you wanted a website for your company you had to retain a reputable website design firm to create a website for you. Website development is not an easy procedure, but if you decide to undertake the process yourself, there are a few simple strategies that can make the process of creating a high-quality website a little bit easier. http://tc.eserver.org/32011.html http://tc.eserver.org/32011.html Although tools seem to play a significant role in technical authoring, some people disagree. Embrace tool learning. Recognize that the 'best tool' is relative. Expose knowledge gaps. http://tc.eserver.org/10225.html http://tc.eserver.org/10225.html We've seen that an attitude of appreciation, respect, and enthusiasm is the key to achieving the all-important connection with your listeners. In the last column, we examined ways to express that attitude with your body and face, through appropriate position, movement, gestures, and smile. This time, we'll consider the contribution your voice can make. Briefly, you must be heard and understood; you must talk at the right speed that invites the audience to stay with you; and you must maintain an emotional bond by expressing appropriate emotions.