Simple Good--Complex Bad

An IBM Ease of Use poster with the message Simple Good - Complex Bad.

IBM (1999). Design>Presentations>Posters>Minimalism

Simplified English Roundup: Fait Accompli or Impossible Dream?  

The increase in the number of products with accompanying documentation sold around the world has shown the need to develop some form of controlled English guideline. Simplified English is just one type of controlled English. The apparent benefits of writing in controlled fashion has led some to consider it a panacea. Others, however, have urged caution in accepting controlled English as the solution to all problems in the comprehension of documents. All forms of controlled English have certain essential features that any technical writer can accept.

Calistro, Ralph F. STC Proceedings (1993). Presentations>Writing>Style Guides>Minimalism

Single Sourcing for Translations    

OCLC Online Computer Library Center has reduced costs and improved quality by using single sourcing in the localization of its services. For its FirstSearch reference service (which provides access to 80 databases for 18,000 libraries in 64 countries), OCLC has been through three phases of localization. Each phase has increased consistency and efficiency and lowered our translation costs. In the first phase of localizing FirstSearch in 1999, we introduced French and Spanish versions. The translation included the user interface screens and the help system. During this phase, we had minimal reuse of text in the interface and help files. The next year, OCLC released a major redesign of that service-with three levels of searching and greatly expanded database help. A separate administrative service and help system were also included. The translation task became much larger, and we needed to optimize the opportunities for text reuse in the system interfaces, help systems, and documentation. In the interfaces, all text strings were categorized and defined as entity strings-reused as needed among functions, databases, and user levels. For help and documentation, the needed content was analyzed and defined in an SGML DTD. Scripts were used to generate 240 help topics from a few SGML files. This approach reduced translation costs and facilitated consistency. Now in the third phase of localization, we are integrating our tool set, implementing a content management system, and adding support for Asian languages. Through this phase, we expect to reduce translation costs and improve quality.

Hysell, Deborah A. ACM SIGDOC (2001). Presentations>Language>Translation>Localization

Single-Source Content Management: If, Why and How  

Introduces the five levels of single-sourcing.

Hackos, JoAnn T. ComTech Services (2002). Presentations>Content Management>Single Sourcing

Single-Source Tools and Techniques  

Tools are a key component for the success of single sourcing. Tools should be selected to support the information model and development processes. Selecting the technology first, without a clear understanding of your information needs, may significantly restrict your ability to produce effective single source materials. This paper reviews the types of single source tools that are available to you today. The session presentation will review the available tools and provide their pros and cons.

Rockley, Ann. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Content Management>Single Sourcing

Slide-By-Slide Animations: Traditional Countdown

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a simple traditional countdown animation in 5 slides (I normally call it a Slide By Slide animation). This is achievable in a single slide (Stacking animation), but to reduce the difficulty, I will show you a simple one which can be editable easily at a later time.

Tohlz, Shawn. PowerPoint Heaven (2005). Resources>Presentations>Software>Microsoft PowerPoint

Slides to Teach Scientific Presentations

Given here are free PowerPoint slides from The Craft of Scientific Presentations (Springer, 2003). These slides have been requested by more than 200 instructors around the world.

Alley, Michael. Virginia Tech (2003). Academic>Course Materials>Presentations>Scientific Communication

Small Screens, Big Lessons: Learning from Well Designed Small Screen Interfaces

By utilizing techniques and design principles that support flow, small screen interfaces can further increase user satisfaction and minimize the sense of time on task. Lesson methods include 'Using progressive disclosure' and 'Balancing Visual and Structural Simplicity.'

Hibbitts, Paul D. SlideShare (2006). Presentations>Web Design>Wireless Web

So You Want to Be a Satellite Student?  

This panel segment focuses on a student's perspective of learning from a distance by satellite. Students interested in obtaining certificates in Technical Communication from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, without being at RPI, can do it when they enroll in the RPI satellite video program (RSVP).

Wagner, Carol A. STC Proceedings (1995). Presentations>Education>Online

Software Environments for Technical Writing

Starting with the development of Caterpillar Fundamental English in the 1970's, industry has made several attempts to formalize and standardize the writing process, both to promote consistency and quality for the reader and to improve the possibilities for automatic text processing (e.g. translation to other languages). In this presentation, I will review the work we have done at the Language Technologies Institute on a software environment for automatic document checking, specifically to address the issue of how such environments can be productive (and hence useful) for the technical writer.

Nyberg, Eric. EServer (1998). Presentations>Lectures>Streaming>Audio

Software Reuse, Processes—Essentials for the Trainer’s Toolbox and Single-Source, Multimode Document Delivery  

Traditionally, custom document production begins with an empty “New” electronic document and with the writer confined to the paper delivery mode. Networked software reuse facilities can allow writers to avoid this requirement of continually starting from scratch. Hence, net worked software reuse may provide a framework for efficiently creating custom documents in either academic or industrial settings for single-source, multimode delivery (Reece, 1993- 1994). More importantly, software reuse facilities may also provide common ground for technical training within a variety of computing environments. This paper defines software reuse, recommends a process for the development of documents in a software reuse facility, and provides information on quality characteristics for evaluating such software.

Reece, Gloria A. and H.J. Scheiber. STC Proceedings (1995). Presentations>Documentation>Help

Some Laws of the Jungle And Why They Apply to Us Civilized Folks

Strategize, coordinate, then mentor.

Yorke, Peter. STC India (2003). Presentations>Management>Project Management

Son Of Bubba: Applying Chapter Experience To Business  

Being a chapter leader can lead to extensive learning and skill development. Many of us overlook the fact that these skills are transferable. Many of us attend the STC Annual Conference with expenses paid by our employer. We often do not attend chapter development sessions because we feel that, as employees, we should attend sessions more applicable to our jobs. Actually, many of the skill we learn in chapter development sessions and in being chapter leaders can be applied equally in well and effectively in our jobs. This paper explores an avenue of recognition that can be applied at work or in the chapter.

Skinner, Judith N. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Management>Assessment

Speaking to a Tech Writing Class

Many colleges and even some high schools have courses in technical writing; some even ask people from the industry to share their experiences. Could you be one of those industry insiders talking up our profession?

Bronson, Lisa M. Tech Comm Pros (2007). Academic>Education>Presentations

Stacking/Overlapping/Layering Animations - Blasting Effect

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a cool blasting effect on objects.

Tohlz, Shawn. PowerPoint Heaven (2005). Resources>Presentations>Software>Microsoft PowerPoint

Stacking/Overlapping/Layering Animations: Spiral Effect

I have experimented many ways to create a spiral effect on text. This requires the overlapping technique. The simplest way is to make use of Pinwheel Entrance effect to do the job, while the best way to create the most realistic impact is to have combination of different effects. The drawback on creating spiral effect is that it only works well on high-end computers, while on older computers, you may experience retrograde effect. The best solution is to keep the text small.

Tohlz, Shawn. PowerPoint Heaven (2005). Resources>Presentations>Software>Microsoft PowerPoint

Stacking/Overlapping/Layering Animations: Translucent Fading

The solution to fading in from 0% to 50% is simple, but depending on what are you fading. As far as I know, the Emphasis (Transparency) animation will never work because it makes an object translucent/transparent immediately. Even if you combine it with Entrance (Fade) or Exit (Fade) animations, the effect will not work effectively. Do take note that this tutorial does not apply to animating the text.

Tohlz, Shawn. PowerPoint Heaven (2005). Resources>Presentations>Software>Microsoft PowerPoint

Standardizing Information for Your Users  

If the modular approach to developing documentation is poorly coordinated, it can be a waste of time and resources. In this paper, learn how a team of technical writers overcame the problem to develop and standardize their documentation.

Gokhale, Sunil and Louis Jude Selvadoray. STC Proceedings. Presentations>TC>Information Design

Star Wars Meets Employers: Creative Ways to Reward Employees  

The panelists represent managers from manufacturing, consulting, software and internet companies. Panelists will share with the audience: meaningful ways to motivate, acknowledge, and reward employees and teams, what works and what doesn't for employees who are older, younger, geographically separated, and telecommuters, and creative ways to reward employees on a shoestring.

Beadle, Diane, Ellen Goldhaar, Michele Gordon, Douglas McIntyre and Gloria Reisman. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Management

Review: Starting a Business  

Have you ever worked for a mismanaged company? Are you flexible, yet persistent? Save some startup capital and you, too, can be a successful entrepreneur, say some local business owners who shared their tips and war stories with Four Lakes members at the Oct. 16 meeting.

Janczy, Amy. STC Four Lakes (2002). Resources>Reviews>Presentations>Wisconsin

Starting and Maintaining A Documentation Department: Concepts, Principles and Techniques  

Starting and Maintaining a Documentation Department – Concepts, Principles and Techniques” includes information about assessing business needs, establishing credibility, building the department, understanding the product life cycle and development practices, and successfully maintaining a documentation department. It includes innovative, creative, and original management concepts, tasks, principles, techniques for newly promoted managers, managers new to a company, and for seasoned managers to ensure success or continued success managing documentation departments.

Hartman, Peter J. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Management>Documentation

STC and Academe: Pooling Our Expertise, Enhancing Our Profession  

Academe and business can learn much from each other about technical communication. The Chicago Chapter STC Institute for Professional Development, now in its fourth year, fosters the integration of knowledge and experience by bringing together teachers, researchers, and practitioners to plan and team teach courses that link theory and practice. All parties have realized extensive benefits. Academics confer with practitioners on research opportunities. Course participants interact with practitioners, who provide real-world examples and employment opportunities. Corporations offer a novel self-development opportunity to employees who became technical communicators through expediency, not necessarily training, and who lack a theoretical basis for practice. STC gains prestige as a professional organization with vision and capability.

Abbott, Christine, Mary Ryba Knepper, Joy Mason and Barb Ostapina. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Collaboration>Academic

Stop Super-Sizing Your Release Plans  

As Agile development teams gain success, the team's bottleneck moves up the food chain to product owners. To support rapid and iterative progress, development teams are demanding that product owners switch from traditional approaches of super-sizing long release cycles to a continuous flow of independent, negotiable and small, bite-sized morsels.

Martens, Ryan. Rally Software Development (2006). Presentations>Project Management>Agile

Stop Super-sizing Your Release Plans  

In this presentation Ryan Martens and Luke Hohmann describe and show product owners how to think in terms of small, evenly spaced meals. They will introduce Agile principles, processes, tools and organizational structures that enable product owners to support their Agile development team's need for continuous, just-in-time elaboration of requirements and acceptance tests.

Martens, Ryan. Rally Software Development (2005). Presentations>Project Management>Agile

Storyboard Tracking  

A storyboard is a tool used by teams to write documents. Information needed to create the document is posted on cork boards or walls in a designated room accessible to all team members. In this room, the document grows from outline, to draft, to a thoroughly reviewed final document. During its growth, the document can be tracked using a simple flagging system.

Moore, Shirley F. STC Proceedings (1997). Presentations>Workplace>Workflow