Moving to OpenOffice: Batch Converting Legacy Documents

What if you want to load XML versions of a large collection of Word files, Excel spreadsheets, or PowerPoint files into an XML-aware database where you can query the collection?

DuCharme, Bob. OpenOffice.org (2006). Articles>Software>Word Processing>OpenOffice

MSWeb: An Enterprise Intranet #1

We're pleased to bring you the first of two excerpts from upcoming second editon of 'Information Architecture for the World Wide Web.' The excerpts look at MSWeb, which the authors say provides a glimpse of what most intranets will be doing in three to five years.

Rosenfeld, Louis and Peter Morville. Boxes and Arrows (2002). Design>Web Design>Intranets>Software

Much Pain for Little Gain? A Critical View of Software Patents  

The question whether access to patent protection for computer software should be made easier (for example by removing the restrictions that would allow a classification of computer programs 'as such' as inventions) would be in the overall benefit has exercised policy makers for quite some time. 'Better protection' of software-related innovations (compared to copyright protection) as well as 'better disclosure' of the underlying ideas and principles have been cited as the main benefits. This paper takes a critical view of these arguments, taking into account that in many cases the underlying ideas and principles may be most effectively be protected as trade secrets (in combination with copyright protection of the 'expression', i.e. the computer program as it is made available to the user). Giving software producers the option to apply for patent protection may not make much difference in terms of the information generated for the benefit of other innovators. Patent protection may be most attractive for ideas and principles that are to a large extent obvious or become apparent to the user. This might lead to a raft of patents for rather obvious 'inventions' (even if patent office searches were improved and patent applications were assessed more rigorously), which might cause little benefit but much friction in the process of innovation.

Koboldt, Christian. JILT (2003). Articles>Intellectual Property>Patents>Software

Multi-Colored Glow

By using Layer Styles, this effect can be created in two simple steps. Scott Kelby shows you how to look like a professional at a beginner's level.

Kelby, Scott. Mac Design Magazine (2003). Design>Graphic Design>Software>Adobe Photoshop

Multiple-File Search and Replace Utilities in Windows

This is a review of some multiple-file search and replace utilities for the Windows operating system. One limitation in Windows is the lack of a good search and replace utility. I've often needed to do a search or search and replace across multiple files. While Windows does have a decent Find utility, it doesn't search and replace. I've found a couple of programs that address this limitation.

Soltys, Keith. IRTC (2001). Resources>Software>Editing

The Myth that Software Will Save the World  

There is a perception that off-the-shelf automated conversion software will accurately transfer documents from one system to another. In the author's experience pre-packaged software does not work well on any significant, large project. Large documentation libraries are developed over time by a variety of people to meet wide-ranging needs. The documentation set is never as structured as one would hope, and the costs of do-it-yourself solutions are underestimated.

Gross, Mark. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Software>Technology

National Association of Photoshop Professionals

The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) is a trade association and resource for Adobe® Photoshop® education, training, and news.

NAPP. Organizations>Graphic Design>Software>Adobe Photoshop

NEO Binaries: The Web App Finder

The definitive guide to finding the newest & most popular enterprise applications; compare details, read reviews, news, articles, rate products and discuss in the forums

Paul, Adam. NEO Binaries. Resources>Directories>Software>Blogs

New Roles for Technical Writers: Technical Marketing Communication  

Technical software marketing is a specialty that calls upon skills technical writers already possess. Clear, accurate product information is essential in today’s complex market; decision-makers need to know how your software will fulfill their business needs. In making the shift from documentation to marketing writing, it is necessary to broaden your sense of the writing’s purposes, and prepare for different ways of working with your material. However, many key aspects of the two specialities are the same, such as the need to uphold a consistent, well-defined tone and organization, and above all to strive for consistency and clarity.

Earle, Ralph. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>TC>Marketing>Software

New Uses for Old Clipping Paths

No one enjoys drawing clipping paths (or, if they do, they rarely admit it in public). The transparency features in Adobe® InDesign® spare you the headaches of drawing clipping paths because the program honors background transparency in Adobe Photoshop® files. However, there are still times when a clipping path comes in handy, so don’t throw the Bézier out with the bathwater.

Blatner, David. Adobe (2004). Design>Document Design>Software>Adobe InDesign

No More Lost Work, No Matter What You Use!

Create file versions on the Adobe Web Workgroup Server using your favorite Adobe application. Restore any version using Adobe GoLive.

Adobe (2003). Articles>Software>Document Design>Adobe GoLive

No Small Task: Migrating Content to a New CMS

Content migrations are often the dirty little secret that folks in the CMS world like to avoid. It’s hard, it’s messy and very few organizations do it well. Truth be told, the content migration can often be the hardest part of implementing a new CMS.

Short, Kyle. CMSwire (2008). Articles>Content Management>Software

Non-Linear PowerPoint Presentations

This non-linear PowerPoint tutorial will help you plan and create a presentation using some of the advanced branching and linking tools. You'll be able use the common drawing tools to design a simple user interface and navigation scheme.

Guides and Tutorials (2006). Articles>Presentations>Software>Microsoft PowerPoint

Nothing but .Net? Nyet!

Given Microsoft's track record, it would seem awfully foolish for me to bet against them and those who will follow their lead, and the idea does seem superficially reasonable. But despite this, I predict that the ASP aspects of .Net won't work nearly so well as Microsoft hopes and may even fail outright. The problem with Microsoft's ASP approach? The strategy is driven more strongly by economics and a fear of competition from smaller, more nimble ASPs than by customer needs and habits.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. TECHWR-L (2001). Design>User Interface>Software

Numbering Headings in Microsoft Word: It Doesn't Have to Drive You Crazy  

If you’re a longtime user of Microsoft Word, you’ve noticed that Word’s functionality has changed in countless little ways over the years. You’ll probably agree that most of the changes have been beneficial and have made our jobs easier. Unfortunately, some changes have been for the worse.

Block, Barbara M. Intercom (2003). Articles>Word Processing>Software>Microsoft Word

Object-Oriented ActionScript

Ironically, Flash users who are new to object-oriented programming (OOP) are often familiar with many object-oriented concepts without knowing their formal names. This chapter demystifies some of the terminology and brings newer programmers up to speed on key OOP concepts. It also serves as a high-level overview of OOP in Flash for experienced programmers who are making their first foray into Flash development.

Moock, Colin. Adobe (2004). Design>Web Design>Software>Flash

The Ockham's Razor Principle of Content Management Systems

Unless we manage to make Drupal more accessible to new users and to get back to the basics, we'll find the ground shifting beneath our feet.

Buytaert, Dries. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Content Management>Software>Drupal

OfficeUsers.org

The home of the Office Users Group, built to provide some very unique help for users of the Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. We've built the site to be independent and a constant source of up-to-date information and assistance.

OfficeUsers.org (2007). Resources>Software>Word Processing>Microsoft Word

On the High Wire  

Some unexpected ways that Adobe Acrobat software can help with design and publishing tasks.

Kvern, Olav Martin. Adobe Magazine (1995). Design>Document Design>Software>Adobe Acrobat

Online Authoring Tools: Descriptions and Demonstrations  

It’s sometimes difficult to determine which tool is right for a particular job. This demonstration shows the types of online documentation projects that are best suited to each of three online authoring tools: Dot-To-Help by WexTech Systems, ToolBook by Asymetrix, and RoboHelp by Blue Sky Software. Technical writers who have used these products to create online help projects will discuss feature comparisons, system requirements for both author and user of the online documentation, and limitations of the tools. By seeing demonstrations of the authoring tools and the projects created with these tools, attendees should have a better understanding of what each tool can help them accomplish.

Roddy, Laurie C. and Lee S. Turner. STC Proceedings (1995). Presentations>Documentation>Software>Adobe RoboHelp

OOo Off the Wall: My Objects All Sublime

All of the contents in an OpenOffice.org Writer document is one of three things: text characters, fields or objects. Objects is a large category that includes formulas, drawing objects and so-called OLE Objects, but it is represented most often by graphics. All objects are added to Writer using a frame, and most of the time, it is the frame that you are editing. The object itself sits sublimely above your changes, its appearance in the document altering but not the object itself.

Byfield, Bruce. Linux Journal (2005). Articles>Word Processing>Software>OpenOffice

Open Source FAQ

Open source is a licensing model where the software and the source code are distributed without requiring licensing fees.

Gottlieb, Seth. Content Management Professionals (2007). Articles>Software>Open Source

Open Source Writers Group

The Open Source Writers Group is a non-commercial, non-profit organization whose primary goal is to improve the overall quality and quantity of free open-source and open-content documentation. All OSWG activities and projects are related to this primary goal.

Open Source Writers Group. Organizations>Documentation>Open Source>Software

Open-Source Content Management Systems

Open-source CMS has now matured to the point where it should be considered alongside commercial products, but is not without its weaknesses and issues.

Robertson, James. Step Two (2004). Articles>Content Management>Software>Open Source

Open-Source Software: Gaining Ground

Have you ever run across a bug in your word processor that interfered with your work? Or perhaps you've wished that your graphics program had a certain feature that would make your life easier. With most commercial software, you're at the mercy of the company that created it. All you can do is call the technical support line, explain the situation, and hope that there's a work-around or that your issue will be addressed whenever the next version is released. With proprietary software, the company owns the software and doesn't allow anyone else to modify it or even see the source code -- the human-readable (well, programmer-readable) instructions used to create the executable file that the computer runs. Some people have likened such software to a car with the hood locked shut so that only the manufacturer can service it. But with open-source software, you have other options because you have the source code. If you have the knowledge, you can modify the program yourself. If not, you can hire a programmer to make the changes you want.

Ivey, Keith C. Editorial Eye, The (1998). Articles>Software>Open Source