Multimedia Advice from a High School Essay  

Demonstrates how designers of multimedia can improve their products through examination of the simple structure of a high school essay.

Bunn, Bill E. Intercom (2002). Design>Multimedia

Multimedia Scripting  

Bunn offers an overview of the multimedia development process from the writer's perspective. He uses a film analogy to help readers develop a multimedia mindset, outlines the elements of multimedia production, and guides the reader through the stages of the production phase.

Bunn, Bill E. Intercom (2000). Design>Multimedia>Writing

Multimedia Scripting: Starting Off Right  

Bunn discusses the art of preparing scripts for different media.

Bunn, Bill E. Intercom (2000). Design>Multimedia>Programming

My Other Job  

Michael Whitman describes his experience volunteering for a community service project.

Whitman, Michael. Intercom (2000). Articles>Writing>Community Building

Networking the World Over  

Technical communicators working in countries outside the U.S. share their thoughts on their profession.

Bouquet, Luc, Ken E. d'Albenas, Frederic R. Menezes, Alison Reynolds and Valerie Gilliotte. Intercom (2001). Articles>TC>International

Networking With Our Peers  

Technical communication is a broad field—its practitioners perform many different tasks in many different industries. Technical communicators may write technical documents, design multimedia presentations, create Web pages, or illustrate mechanical designs. And they may perform these tasks in industries such as aerospace, biotech, computer software, or agribusiness. To effectively network with your peers, you need to find your communities of practice.

Grice, Roger A. Intercom (2004). Articles>Collaboration>Professionalism

New Ideas for Web Searches  

The author offers advice on choosing the most appropriate search engine, as well as a list of tips for using search engines.

Archee, Raymond K. Intercom (2000). Design>Web Design>Usability>Search

Nielsen Media Research: Must-See TV  

The author shares her experiences working as a technical writer at Nielsen Media Research in Dunedin, Florida.

Passmore, Denise Annette. Intercom (2000). Careers>Workplace>TC

Nine Things Your Translators Wish You Knew  

What are the secrets of a stress-free and productive translation experience? Davis's article highlights some important tips to keep in mind as you work on your next translation project.

Davis, Rachel A. Intercom (2006). Articles>Language>Localization

No Work? Strategies for Surviving a Dry Spell  

No new offers are coming in, and you don’t have any potential projects brewing on the back burner. Your clients have no plans to hire independent contractors for the time being. Now what?

Fugate, Alice E. And Elizabeth A. 'Betsy' Frick. Intercom (2003). Careers>Advice

Note to Contractors: Expose Your Writing Tasks  

Some contractors short-change themselves by failing to reveal in cost proposals all of the tasks they perform. Argues that full disclosure can improve a contractor's bottom line.

Hall, Mark D. Intercom (2004). Careers>Freelance>Proposals>Writing

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

Nurture Your Inner Expert  

Teich, STC's second vice president, advises technical communicators to develop in their professions by continuously setting goals and pursuing knowledge.

Teich, Thea. Intercom (2002). Careers>Education>Continuing

Obtaining User Feedback: How Useful Are Your Online Help Systems?  

Surveys or questions posed to users may not be entirely useful when determining whether a user's experience with the help feature was successful or not. The author provides instructions on implementing a tool that will provide this kind of feedback.

Webb, Jeremy. Intercom (2006). Articles>Documentation>Online>Assessment

October 15, 2001, through January 15, 2002  

This report covers specifications, standards, and amendments received from October 15, 2001, through January 15, 2002.

Bach, Claudia. Intercom (2002). Articles>History>TC

Offshoring: What Does It Mean for Us?  

Summarizes a discussion about offshoring held at the Philadelphia Metro chapter's annual conference during which panelists suggested ways that technical communicators based in the United States can make their positions more secure.

Rosenberg, Nad. Intercom (2004). Careers>TC>Outsourcing>Offshoring

Older, Wiser, and Wired  

A February 2003 Harris Poll indicates that nearly half of those over age fifty in the United States—approximately 36 million adults—are online. While international statistics vary; the implication is clear: Designing usable Web sites that serve the needs and preferences of older adults will be a requirement, not a nicety, for the future.

Mazur, Beth and Amy Lee. Intercom (2003). Design>Web Design>Accessibility>Elderly

Online Editing: Minimizing Your Turnaround Time  

Outlines an editing process that minimizes turnaround time by making the most of word processor technology.

Petersen, Judy H. Intercom (2000). Articles>Editing>Online

Online Help: Beyond Error Messages  

Knoth-Weber describes how her company developed an efficient means to collect customer feedback about system errors and publish solutions on their Web help page.

Knoth-Weber, Lieselotte. Intercom (2002). Design>Documentation>Help

Online Help? Or Not!  

Calls on technical communicators to suggest a new term for modular documentation accessible via a tri-pane interface.

Carmel, Patricia A. Intercom (2005). Articles>Documentation>Online>Help

Online Intercultural Communication  

Most professionals would agree that the Internet enables us to communicate more effectively with our colleagues, both locally and internationally. The ease, speed, and convenience of e-mail, bulletin boards, chat systems, and instant messaging have revolutionized our professional practice. But we often overlook one area of computer-mediated communication (CMC): How do cultural differences affect successful online communication?

Archee, Raymond K. Intercom (2003). Articles>Communication>Online>Community

Online Job Searching: Clicking Your Way to Employment  

Bloch offers advice for technical communicators who wish to make job search Web sites part of their job-seeking strategy.

Bloch, Janel M. Intercom (2003). Careers>Job Listings>Online

The Other ITC  

Technical communication flows across borders. Talking about 'international technical communication' makes about as much sense as talking about a 'flying airplane.'

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

The Other Kind of Editing  

Bush offers suggestions for editing professional journals, rather than technical manuals and proposals.

Bush, Donald W. Intercom (2000). Articles>Editing

Page Design: Directing the Reader's Eye  

Sevilla discusses principles of effective page design and techniques that ensure consistent document layout.

Sevilla, Christine. Intercom (2002). Articles>Document Design>Visual Rhetoric