Implementing a Content Management System  

Before you begin a pilot project using a CMS, you must understand how it will work. Read on to learn how to define your information model, set up your folder structure, create a metadata scheme, assign roles and responsibilities, define your workflow, and measure results.

Hackos, JoAnn T. Intercom (2007). Articles>Content Management>Project Management

Implementing On-Screen Editing  

On-screen editing offers obvious advantages over paper editing, including greater accuracy, shorter turnaround times, and improved consistency. Because authors don’t have to retype handwritten edits, there’s less risk of misreading or missing corrections. Moreover, the edits have already been typed and spellchecked, so no new typos are introduced. Most editors can also enter corrections faster with a keyboard than with a pen, particularly when complex edits require restructuring of the document or extensive rewording, and eliminating the retyping phase further reduces turnaround times. Last but not least, using the search tools makes it easier to achieve consistency in long or complex documents.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2004). Articles>Editing>Online

Implementing XML: A Writer's Perspective  

In the cover article for Intercom's special issue on XML and HTML, Conlin discusses how the implementation of XML affects writers of documentation.

Conlin, Karen E. Intercom (2002). Articles>Documentation>XML

The Importance of Document Design  

One definition of communication is 'the transfer of information from one location to another so that meaning is understood.' In other words, communication is what happens when one person connects to another to share information.

Quesenbery, Whitney. Intercom (2004). Articles>Document Design>Usability

The Importance of the Quality Culture  

Cameron discusses the effects of three models of quality cultures in American and European corporations: error detection cultures, error prevention cultures, and creative quality cultures.

Smart, Karl L. Intercom (2001). Careers>Workplace>Quality

Improving Your Reader's Content Forms  

For most organizations, Reader’s Comment Forms serve primarily as Reader’s Complaint Forms. Most of these forms typically ask readers to identify errors in the text, citing location of the error, describing the error, and suggesting a change. What a waste!

Carliner, Saul. Intercom (2003). Design>Web Design>Assessment>Usability

In Praise of Applause  

The author calls for a return to public recognition--rather than just a quick e-mail acknowledgment--of people's accomplishments. Legg presents the benefits of public celebration: It opens positive communication, builds self-esteem, inspires others, and shows and gains respect. She also deflates many of the perceived obstacles to public praise, and encourages readers to use their communication skills to acknowledge others.

Legg, Kathy A. Intercom (2000). Careers>Workplace>Assessment

In the Company of Lawyers  

In this hypothetical dilemma, a senior technical writer at a pharmaceuticals firm must choose between honoring his company's nondisclosure policy or publishing the results of a usability study that could greatly improve patient compliance with written instructions for prescription drugs, thereby saving lives.

Bryan, John G. Intercom (2002). Articles>Workplace>Ethics

In the Gyres  

A fictional account of an in-house newsletter editor pressured to serve his bosses' interests raises important questions about the ethics of office politics.

Bryan, John G. Intercom (2000). Articles>Workplace>Ethics

In the Year 2054...  

Speculates about what the future will hold for technical communicators.

Martin, Maurice. Intercom (2004). Articles>TC>History

Including Purpose in Software Documentation  

Argues that technical writers should include a discussion of the purpose behind every procedure described in software documentation.

Block, Barbara M. Intercom (2001). Articles>Documentation>Writing

Incorporating Animation into Help Files  

Information clarity, ease of use, and modern computing speeds are reasons to consider animation in Help files. Sharp's article presents three common types of animation and how to make them work for you.

Sharp, Roger A. Intercom (2007). Articles>Documentation>Video>Flash

Independents' Success Depends on Business Skills  

I went independent in 1990 as a technical writer/instructional designer, and I now teach technical writing in corporations. My business has grown steadily, albeit slowly, in these thirteen years. I learned quickly that independents are businesses first and technical communicators second. Our work may feed our souls and pay the bills today, but if we ignore business matters, our practices will ultimately fail. It is not enough to be 'technically' smart— independents must be savvy in business to succeed in any economy.

Frick, Elizabeth G. 'Bette'. Intercom (2003). Careers>Consulting>TC

Indexing Large Projects  

Relates how the author and her coworkers proceeded when faced with a daunting indexing task.

Kadilak, Denise. Intercom (2001). Articles>Indexing

The India Paradox  

Kamath describes the complex interplay among many competing cultural forces that makes technical communication in India such a challenge.

Kamath, Gurudutt R. Intercom (2000). Articles>Workplace>Ethics>India

Inductive User Interfaces: A New Opportunity for Writers  

Discusses inductive user interfaces, which use single screens to guide users through each task in a software program.

Carlson, Janice L. Intercom (2002). Design>User Centered Design>User Interface

Information Architecture: You Do It, You Just Don't Know It  

As we await the beginnings of an economic recovery, it’s more important than ever to optimize rather than to innovate. Business is slower and budgets are smaller. Projects are more often about evolving a process or product rather than starting from scratch. As an information architect, I have seen a shift in the kinds of Web development projects that my clients request.

Haynes, Mir G. Intercom (2003). Articles>Information Design

Information Development in a Flat World    

The flat world has had a clear impact on information development and will continue to increase competitive pressure on the profession in the foreseeable future. By adapting to the realities of global organizations and global audiences and instituting a disciplined work environment that thrives on standards and best practices, technical communicators can remain competitive.

Hackos, JoAnn T. Intercom (2008). Articles>TC>International

Information Engineering for the 21st Century  

Bowie urges technical communicators to spend less time creating documentation and more time designing products that people can use intuitively.

Bowie, John S. Intercom (2003). Articles>Information Design>User Centered Design>Usability

Information Models and XML  

The defining feature of XML is the ability to specify your own tags. Learn about what to look for in an XML information model and what a technical communicator can contribute to an XML documentation team.

Baril, France. Intercom (2006). Articles>Information Design>XML

Instant Messaging in the Workplace  

Proposes six guidelines for employee use of instant messaging.

Hoffman, Jeff. Intercom (2004). Articles>Workplace>Collaboration>Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging--Another Format to Worry About?  

IM lived for years as an obscure technology in the shadow of the WAP (wireless application protocol) wireless Web, and is still used chiefly by teenagers. But IM has recently become a source of revenue for financially beleaguered telecoms, and has been discussed as a possible replacement for e-mail.

Perlin, Neil E. Intercom (2003). Articles>Writing>Online>Instant Messaging

Instructional Design and Software Quality Assurance, Part I  

Describes how instructional design principles can improve documentation.

Nayar, Pawan. Intercom (2001). Articles>Documentation>Instructional Design

Instructional Design and Software Quality Assurance, Part II  

In the second article of his two-part series on the application of principles of instructional design to quality assurance processes, Nayar discusses how these principles affect document development.

Nayar, Pawan. Intercom (2002). Articles>Education>Instructional Design

Instructional Design: Choosing the Proper Authoring Tool  

Searching for the right tool for your instructional design needs? Learn about your options through capsule reviews of instructional simulation programs and full-service authoring tools.

Holden, Gene. Intercom (2004). Articles>Documentation>Instructional Design