Usability and Taking Chances

A blog post that discusses the XO laptop, and the risks that the designers and developers took when creating the user interface for the device - for the most part they succeeded in creating an intuitive interface and a usable computer.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Usability>User Interface>Linux

Using Documentation Out of Sequence

User documentation is rarely, if ever, read like an ordinary book. Readers jump around, finding the information that they need to perform a particular task and pretty much ignore the rest. Until they need that information, of course.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>TC>Writing

Using XML for Document Authoring and Management  

An introduction to XML (Extensible Markup Language) and how technical writers can use it to create and manage their documentation.

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2004). Articles>Documentation>Help>DocBook

What an Autistic Child Taught Me About Technical Writing

A blog post about what one technical communicator learned about his craft from dealing with his autistic child.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing>Blogs

What You Leave in Your Wake

Whether you’re a full timer or a contractor, you’ll eventually part ways with an employer. When you step out the door for the last time, what will you leave in your wake? A mess, or a way for your co-workers or replacement to quickly pick up where you left off?

DMN Communications (2008). Careers>TC>Collaboration

Creating Quality Content with Open Source Tools  

The detailed notes for the presentation on creating quality content with Open Source tools that was given at DocTrain East 2008 (Oct. 31, 2008).

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2008). Presentations>Technology>Open Source>Technical Writing

Talking Shop with Anne Gentle

A chat with technical communicator and blogger Anne Gentle in which we discuss wikis, DITA, the XO Laptop, documenting Open Source software, and a lot more.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Interviews>TC>Podcasts

Becoming a Technical Communicator

Thinking of a career in technical communication? This article offers one point of view on what you need to know to be successful in the field.

DMN Communications (2008). Careers>TC>Technical Writing

In Conversation with Adam Hyde

A conversation between Scott Nesbitt of DMN Communications and Adam Hyde, who runs FLOSS Manuals. In a wide-ranging conversation, they talk about why Adam started the project, the way in which FLOSS Manuals gets things done, Book Sprints, Adam’s thoughts on the 80/20 rule, and more.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Interviews>Documentation>Podcasts

Writing Technology Case Studies

One area in which a good, knowlegeable, and flexible technical writer can really make a difference is writing case studies. This blog post looks at what a case study is, and the elements that make up a good case study.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing>Case Studies

Mentoring Another Writer

Some thoughts on what it takes to effectively mentor another technical communicator.

DMN Communications (2008). Careers>Mentoring>TC>Technical Writing

Going from Word to Wiki

One writer's experiences and thoughts about moving content from Microsoft Word to a wiki.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Documentation>Wikis>Case Studies

Lessons in Introductions from O'Reilly

Book published by O'Reilly Media have a good flow to the information and they're well structured. One of the best features of many of those books is the introductory material. It can be a good guide, and help readers zero in on what they want to learn.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Writing>Information Design>Technical Writing

Building Presentations From the Ground Up, Part 2

I’ll discuss how Aaron and I get ready to give a presentation, how we actually deliver one, and what happens afterwards.

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Presentations

Building Presentations, From the Ground Up, Part 1

A look at how two technical communicators plan and prepare presentations.

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Presentations>Planning

Accessing Information: Not Everyone Does it the Same Way

As some in our profession have come to realize, social media and use of the Web in general have changed (and are still changing) the way in which people access and use information.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Web Design>Accessibility>User Centered Design

Intuitiveness and Adaptability

With few exceptions, intuitive user interfaces really don't exist. Familiar interfaces do, however. But does that mean developers need to be locked into the same old design patterns? There's no reason why they should.

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2008). Articles>User Interface>Usability

Structured Authoring for Everyone

Structured authoring isn't just for technical writers. Just about any department in an organization can benefit from it. This article looks at one way of bringing structured authoring to the masses: by adopting the authoring concepts used in an obscure word processor called Yeah Write.

DMN Communications (2009). Articles>Information Design>Technical Writing>XML

Flexibility and Adaptability

There’s a lot of tool fetishism in the documentation world. We all succumb to it in one way or another — I used to think it was FrameMaker or DocBook, or nothing. Ah, the folly of youth. But that attitude severely limits you as a professional. For a consultant or freelancer, it’s only a few steps away from suicide.

DMN Communications (2009). Articles>Documentation>Software

Stepping into the Freelance World, Part 1: Getting Set Up

So, you’re seriously considering making the jump into the world of freelance technical writing. It’s a big step, and one there’s a lot more to it than just giving up your day job and hanging out a shingle. This post details a number of things that are important to consider before making the jump.

DMN Communications (2009). Careers>Freelance>Advice

Stepping into the Freelance World, Part 2: Getting to Work

The second part of a series on making the move to freelance technical writing. This installment discusses how to gigs and get paid.

DMN Communications (2009). Careers>Freelance>Advice

Stepping into the Freelance World, Part 3: Marketing

So, you’ve hung out your virtual shingle and even have a couple of contract gigs under your belt. You’ve decided that the freelance life is for you. Now what? Obviously, expand your business to gain more and varied clients. The way to do that is by marketing.

DMN Communications (2009). Careers>Freelance>Marketing

Stepping into the Freelance World, Part 4: Educating Yourself

If we don’t learn, we wither. New trends, new tools and technologies, new techniques. Even just new skills for the job. Continuous education is a key to longevity in the world of technical communication. As a freelancer, though, getting educated can be a bit of a problem. While many full-time employees have access to at least some job-specific training paid for by their employers, freelancers must shoulder the costs themselves. And training isn’t always cheap. So, how do freelancers stay current and stay sharp? Here are a few suggestions.

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2009). Careers>Freelance>Education

What Makes a Good Presentation?

I'm definitely not the greatest presenter around. While I like to think I’m improving in this area, there are still holes in my game. Still, I was somewhat flattered. And it kind of fed my then-depleted ego to be asked this question, and the others that surrounded it. What follows are the points that I tried to get across.

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2009). Articles>Presentations

Think Simple: A Fresh Approach to User Assistance  

Online help. User assistance. That thing that pops up when you press F1. No matter what you call it, user assistance is an important element in the experience of a user. It can mean the difference between a frustrated user and a productive one. But is today's user assistance all it can be? Are we giving users purposeful information at the right time, in the most effective format, and ultimately in the way that they need it? Unfortunately, no.

Davis, Aaron and Scott Nesbitt. DMN Communications (2009). Presentations>Documentation>Online>Help