#30326
Listening: the Often Forgotten Ingredient
If listening isn't in the mix when developing documentation, then the project may not cook.
Allen, Clare. Boston Broadside (1992). Articles>Documentation>Collaboration>SMEs
#30346
In addition to creating product specifications in support of locale-specific conventions, savvy localization managers will ensure that developers have coding practices to enable localization and adaptation. Double-byte enabling, for example, must be part of the code base.
Swain, Cindy. Boston Broadside (1997). Articles>Language>Localization
#30310
Low Budget Usability Testing Can Work
With just a modest amount of equipment and effort, you can uncover some serious product glitches and potentially earn your company thousands of dollars and a sterling reputation. The first step is to get a video camera, a product prototype, and a small sample of your target audience.
Umbhua, Kurt. Boston Broadside (1991). Articles>Usability>Testing
#30306
Make Yourself More Than Just an "Entry-Level" Tech Writer
To make the most of limited opportunities, you have to distinguish yourself from the crowd of other technical writers who'll be vying for the same positions you're after. In other words, you have to go into that job market armed with more than just a bachelor's degree and some classroom writing samples. Following are some suggestions that can help you acquire some professional technical writing experience, broaden your skills and knowledge of the technical writing field, and get you over the entry-level hump.
Monahan, Jim. Boston Broadside (1991). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing
#27113
The mentor relationship has been called the 'pinnacle of work relationships.' A mentor is more than a peer, more than a coach, even more than a sponsor. Mentors typically have influence within the organization or community. They use this influence to empower their protègès. The mentor relationship is really a partnership--the mentor provides guidance and opportunities, the protègè provides energy and a fresh perspective.
Laurent, J. Suzanna. Boston Broadside (2006). Careers>Mentoring
#30334
Misclassified Workers (Part I)
This two-part article looks at the comparative costs of employees versus independent contractors, helps you to classify workers as either independent contractors or employees, and (in the second part) will examine the consequences of misclassification as it affects clients, independent contractors, and third party payers (such as a consulting firm or a contract agency).
#30336
Misclassified Workers (Part II): A Financial Time Bomb
This article examines some of the consequences of misclassifying workers as independent contractors when they should be treated as employees.
Randolph, Brett W.F. Boston Broadside (1992). Careers>Management
#30338
I think it can be dangerous for a technical writer to be a grammar expert.
DeGraw, Yvonne. Boston Broadside (1993). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing>Grammar
#30350
Multilingual Web Sites: Reaching International Clients
You can add to customer satisfaction by letting customers know you are committed to the market in their country, when you provide information in their own language. You can increase sales because buyers can find your company Web site; learn about your products in their own language, get connected to the nearest outlet, or place orders online.
McClure, Peggy. Boston Broadside (1997). Design>Web Design>Localization
#30356
Nancy's Wordsmithy: Rules You Don't Have to Obey, Part III
The funny thing is, this rule should be running out of steam, because certain standards of written English have changed in ways that make the rule at least partly obsolete. Learning it is kind of like learning to change a cloth ribbon on an old manual typewriter.
Allison, Nancy. Boston Broadside (1989). Articles>Writing>Editing>Grammar
#30325
NetWorks or, How to Make Professional Connections When You Live and Work in the "Sticks"
NetWorks is an association of people involved in public relations, technical/computer documentation, marketing, fund raising, planning and development, training, journalism, editing, video production and publishing. We have a common interest in sharing ideas, information and resources.
Olander, Karen Wise. Boston Broadside (1992). Articles>TC>Collaboration>STC
#30335
On Teaching Technical/Business Writing
Whether one teaches business communication or technical writing (or some amalgam of the two), the first statements an instructor makes in class should be to apprise students that the course upon which they are embarking is but a specialty within a larger field of writing, that their courses in English composition, philosophy and survey of literature (and the papers written for those courses) will all apply to the specialized communication field they now must address.
Wyld, Lionel D. Boston Broadside (1992). Articles>Education>Writing>Technical Writing
#30323
As a technical writer with over seven years of experience and a Master's degree, I am disappointed with the lack of part-time jobs and lack of responsiveness by employers to create part-time technical writing positions.
Fass, Lisa. Boston Broadside (1992). Careers>Unemployment>Freelance
#30318
No matter how simple a task may first appear, you're better off to thoroughly read through the documentation, especially if the equipment you're using is borrowed. I've also learned that perhaps department stores really don't charge a fortune in comparison to my home project.
Davies, Beth. Boston Broadside (1991). Articles>Documentation>TC
#30330
The demand for recycled paper is on the rise and more and more paper manufacturers are producing recycled paper in the same categories and range of choices as virgin stock. However, because of the variations and inconsistencies in the raw materials used, paper that contains recycled fiber tends to he at the middle to lower quality levels of each paper grade.
Boston Broadside (1992). Articles>Publishing>Prepress>Paper
#30339
The Role of Indexing in Technical Communication
The success of a technical document depends heavily on the index. The task of indexing a technical document often cannot begin until insufficient time remains to do a good job. However, for many users of the document, a good index is mandatory to its usability.
Northrop, Mary Jane. Boston Broadside (1993). Articles>Editing>Indexing
#30322
Smart Marketing Enhances Credibility and Creates Customers
Today's business climate is kinder to those who understand and act on the fact that there are numerous ways to communicate positive attributes.
Juergens, Tom. Boston Broadside (1992). Articles>Business Communication>Marketing
#30309
So You Want to be a Technical Translator...
Rapidly expanding international commerce demands multilingual product descriptions and instructions for users. Technical products require precise translations by knowledgeable translators to avoid costly or even fatal errors. These may range from simple business letters to legal documents, patents, scientific articles, service or end-user manuals.
Miele, Charles H. Boston Broadside (1991). Careers>Language>Translation>Technical Translation
#30352
Structure and Creativity in the Learning Process
Structure is a fundamental construct of mathematics. The field of discrete mathematics, in fact, is the foundation of data structures, upon which computer science is built.
Sherry, Lorraine C. Boston Broadside (1990). Articles>Education>Instructional Design
#30331
The Technical Writer as Software Evaluator
Technical writers are taking on more responsibilities. More and more, writers are being asked to participate in the design and review of a new product, or to help organize the efforts of a product team. Before you even begin evaluating software, resolve the following points in your own mind: Performing a comprehensive evaluation of a piece of software takes time, and chances are that no one product has all the capabilities you would like it to have, so be prepared to make concessions.
Boston Broadside (1992). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing>Software
#27108
Technical Writing at SolidWorks Corporation Is a Collaborative Effort
Collaboration is a key element of the documentation process at SolidWorks Corporation, and it contributes significantly to the high quality of the technical documents. 'We couldn't produce the volume of documents that we do in the time that we have without working closely together,' says Georgia, manager of the Technical Publications department. Five technical writers and eight translators collaborate with each other, with developers and testers, with a translation house, and with a print house. Together they produce a user's guide, a tutorial, multiple online help systems, and numerous smaller documents with each release of the software. Releases occur about twice a year. Because each release includes major new functionality, the documentation schedule is very tight. 'Taking into account that we have to wait for the engineers to complete their changes, and that we have to freeze the English version in time for the translators to translate before the release,' says Georgia, 'the schedule is even tighter than it appears at first.' Some of the techniques that make this situation workable are an integrated hardware and software system, careful distribution of responsibilities, explicit procedures and style guides, and file maintenance.
Kloss, Marilyn B. Boston Broadside (2001). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing>Case Studies
#30316
Technology Sets the Pace: Evolution of Technical Communication
Technical communicators will take on increasingly important roles as technology becomes ever more sophisticated. After all, we must be able to use this equipment once it is installed.
Marriott, Tony Rhodes. Boston Broadside (1991). Articles>TC>Technology
#30321
The résumé is the key to landing a job initially, and then to advancing in the profession. So, let's consider the elements that go towards composing the ideal résumé.
#30342
Translation and the Technical Writer
As more companies sell in the global market and recognize the importance of customer service and satisfaction, they are beginning to realize the importance of translating software and documentation into foreign languages. Once your own company realizes that it needs to translate its documentation, to whom will it turn for project management? You, of course. The technical writer is in an ideal position to control the translation of documentation and the textual element of software.
Tunsley, Roger A. Boston Broadside (1993). Articles>Language>Translation>Technical Writing
#30337
Type is to a publication as a speaker is to an audience -- they both have to work coherently to capture and keep your attention. Type defines a publication's personality; since it's a common element on every page, it should work to achieve a visual unity throughout. Crisp, consistent, readable typography will help propel the reader through your pages.
