Knowing When to Bail Out  

Lathrop identifies the red flags that might indicate an uncooperative client.

Lathrop, Lori M. Intercom (2000). Careers>Freelance

Knowledge Transfer Strategies  

Discusses training strategies for companies struggling with reorganization and the departure of knowledgeable employees.

Magnan, Raymond. Intercom (2001). Articles>Knowledge Management

Large-scale HTML Conversion Using a Word Processor  

The authors describe a process for converting Microsoft Word documents to HTML.

Hara, Takayoshi and Mayumi Seitou. Intercom (2002). Design>Web Design>Software>Word

The Latest Word  

Wallia introduces some of the attractive features of Word 2002 and discusses the relative merits of four best-selling books on how to use the software.

Wallia, C.J.S. Intercom (2002). Articles>Technology>Software>Word

The Leap Online  

McGowan discusses how documentation departments can ease the transition from a paper-centered work environment to an online one.

McGowan, Kevin S. Intercom (2000). Design>Documentation>Online

Learning by Teaching  

Bist argues that the best way for technical communicators to deepen their knowledge of their companyís product information is to teach it. Using examples from his own experience, he suggests how to prepare and teach a course on any professional subject.

Bist, Gary. Intercom (2000). Careers>Education

Learning from Customers  

Illustrates how technical writers can track customer complaints and use the information to improve the usability of products and documentation.

Bist, Gary. Intercom (2002). Design>Usability>Assessment

Lessons in Internationalization  

By examining some of the mistakes his company made while implementing an e-commerce Web site, Larson demonstrates the complexity of internationalization.

Intercom (2004). Design>Web Design>Localization>E Commerce

Listservs: Connecting Students with Practitioners  

An instructor of technical communication describes how she uses technology to give her students access to professionals in the field.

Dyke, Julie L. Intercom (2000). Articles>Collaboration>Mailing Lists

LOA 101: Intro to Letters of Agreement  

Answers some common questions about Letters of Agreement, documents used by independent contractors to define the specifics of particular projects.

Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

Localization in a Time of Shrinking Budgets  

Suggests ways that technical communicators can implement cost-effective localization.

Butland, Philip. Intercom (2004). Articles>Language>Localization

Location-Based Wireless Web Applications  

Imagine that you’re at an amusement park with your children when, in an unguarded moment, the four-year-old wanders away. Today, you would hunt frantically for your missing child. Soon, however, you’ll be able to go to a security office where someone will display your missing child’s location on a map by tracking a cell phone or GPS (Global Positioning System) chip that you rented for the day and strapped to your child’s ankle. Science fiction? Prodgenious (www.prodgenious.com) has offered this service since the summer of 2000.

Perlin, Neil E. Intercom (2001). Articles>Web Design>Wireless Web

The Lone Writer  

A discussion of the issues for a lone technical writer employed in an organization.

Alroy, Faye. Intercom (2003). Careers>TC

Long-Distance Teams: Facing the Challenges  

Offers advice for managers of long-distance teams on working across time zones, accommodating team members' cultural norms, easing the difficulties of language differences, and nurturing team spirit.

Legg, Kathy A. Intercom (2004). Articles>Project Management>Collaboration>Online

Looking for Questions to My Answers  

Debuts a new professional advice column for technical communicators.

Alroy, Faye. Intercom (2002). Articles>TC

The Love Song of J. Alfred Techrock  

Manley's loving parody of T. S. Eliot's 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' touches on the realities of technical communicators on the job.

Manley, Frank. Intercom (2000). Humor>Workplace>TC

Lovely DITA, DocBook Fades?  

Makes the case for DITA and provides a compare-and-contrast of DITA and DocBook.

Dumbill, Edd. Intercom (2006). Articles>Documentation>Standards>DITA

Made-Up Words, Real-Life Winners  

The editor of Intercom presents the winners of Intercom's annual humor contest.

Martin, Maurice. Intercom (2000). Humor>Language

Make It Flow: Achieving the Optimal User Experience  

Contends that human factors professionals must look beyond usability and heuristics to maximize a product's appeal.

Fruhlinger, Joshua A. Intercom (2001). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Usability

Making the Transition from Student to Employee  

Advice to students preparing to become technical communicators.

Alroy, Faye. Intercom (2003). Careers>Advice>TC

Making the Web Friendlier for Lower-Literacy Users  

Describes techniques for improving the experience of lower-literacy Internet users that do not violate the principles of Web design for other users.

Summers, Kathryn. Intercom (2004). Design>Web Design>Accessibility>Writing

Manage the Kaizen Way!  

Kaizen is a Japanese phrase that means 'continuous improvement' and has long been used by Japanese managers. Find out how to apply this style to your work as a technical communicator and how kaizen can also be used effectively when working in a team.

Gopalakrishnan, Janani. Intercom (2006). Careers>Management>Project Management

Management Guidelines for Alternative Work Schedules  

Offers guidance to managers on how to balance the needs of their businesses with the convenience of alternative work schedules, such as telecommuting, flextime, job sharing, compressed work weeks, and reduced hours.

Deshaies, Stephen A. Intercom (2002). Careers>Management

Managers: Move from Silos to Channels  

Advocates restructuring technical communication departments to eliminate 'silos'—isolated groups within the department—and develop 'channels'—a cooperative grouping of workers and teams through which information about a product can flow.

Hughes, Michael A. Intercom (2003). Careers>Management>Collaboration

Managers Weigh In: Perspectives on Current Issues  

A report on discussions with several managers of technical communicators about current issues in the field, including changes in hiring practices, telecommuting, and tools and techniques for project management.

Lange, Penny L. Intercom (2003). Careers>Management