Markup Mastery  

Tyson suggests how the principles and practices of structural markup language can make communication more effective.

Tyson, Paul H. Intercom (2002). Articles>Information Design

Media of the Future: Web? Paper?  

Will the long-predicted demise of paper ever come true? Discusses the effects of the Web on documentation.

Redish, Janice C. 'Ginny'. Intercom (2005). Articles>Documentation>Online

Medical Technical Writing  

In a multibillion-dollar-per-yearcindustry, medical technical writers are well situated between companies that manufacture drugs and medical equipment and the federal government, which regulates the manufacture of drugs and medical equipment. The government requires that these companies produce specific types of documents, which must be of a very high standard. This situation creates lucrative opportunities for technical writers.

English, Wayne A. Intercom (2003). Articles>Scientific Communication>Biomedical>Technical Writing

Mental Models: Laying Foundations to Support Readers  

Technical communication is often no more complicated than clearly describing the steps in a procedure, but sometimes we must create new models for each key part of a complex procedure.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2007). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing

The Mentor Advantage  

There are many advantages to having mentors: They can teach you new skills, impart their knowledge, and help you increase your self-confidence. Having a mentor, or several of them, can help on all fronts. In fact, in a 2000 survey by The Creative Group, 94 percent of executives polled said having a mentor is important for professionals just beginning their careers.

Leonard-Wilkinson, Theresa A. Intercom (2003). Careers>Mentoring

Mentoring in a Business Environment  

Describes mentor-student relationship from both perspectives, describing the experiences of a corporate mentor and mentee and the changes in positions for writers that came with tools migration (from Ventura Publisher to FrameMaker) and new writing standards and guidelines.

Robart, Kay and K.C. Francis. Intercom (2001). Careers>Mentoring>Workplace

A Mentoring Program for Web Designers  

Creating a mentoring program for technical writers requires quite a bit of coordination.

Leonard-Wilkinson, Theresa A. Intercom (2001). Careers>Collaboration>Mentoring

Merging Usability Practices with Document Design and Development    

Examines the phases of document development and describes how to incorporate them with usability techniques to ensure that your information products remain continually useful and valuable.

Filippo, Elizabeth G. Intercom (2007). Articles>Document Design>Usability

Microwriting: Small Choices with Large Implications  

The little elements of writing can make a big difference. If you're looking for a way to refresh your writing, consider paying close attention to the aspects involved in microwriting.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2006). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing

More Thoughts on Grassroots Documentation  

I thought technical communicators could use grassroots documentation to measure the effectiveness of their in-house documentation. I've since learned that grassroots documentation is already in play—though not in the way I expected.

Martin, Maurice. Intercom (2004). Articles>Documentation>Community Building

The Most Obvious Fault in Technical Writing  

The most obvious fault is wordiness. Fortunately, long-windedness is something that editors are particularly well equipped to fix. Take a look at our manuals. They are huge, and their very bulk can make them inaccessible, especially when they are not equipped with a good index or adequate indicia in the corners of each page.

Bush, Donald W. Intercom (2003). Articles>Writing>Style Guides

Moving from Information Mapping to DITA    

Is your company making the move from Information Mapping to DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture)? The author compares and contrasts the two methods and shares insight on how to ease the pain of switching from one to the other.

Hughes, Michael A. Intercom (2008). Articles>Information Design>XML>DITA

Much Ado about Nothing, Part 2: Deconstructing a Page    

In a continuation of his January column, Hart sheds some light on page layout and design—and gives color to a seemingly “black-and-white” concept.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2008). Design>Document Design>Visual Rhetoric

Much Ado about Nothing, Part I: The Importance of White Space    

White space is a paradox: by definition it contains no information, yet it clearly communicates despite lack of content. Hart describes how to incorporate white space into the information design process.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2008). Articles>Document Design

Multilingual Publishing with a Content Management System  

Sheds light on the benefits of using a content management system (CMS) when publishing in multiple languages. Included are tips for shopping for a CMS, managing unique character sets, and managing the translation process.

Freeman, Bret. Intercom (2006). Articles>Content Management>Localization

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>Volunteering

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