#24262
Ten Tips for Talking to Artists 
Explains some of the terminology used to describe graphics and explains the roles graphic designers play in the production of technical art.
Lyons, Chopeta C. Intercom (2004). Articles>Collaboration>Technical Illustration>Graphic Design
#15213
Ten Tips on Writing White Papers
Offers ten suggestions for technical writers wanting to improve the quality of their companies' white papers.
Barefoot, Darren K. Intercom (2002). Articles>Writing>Reports
#19702
There is nothing more frustrating than being demeaned in the workplace, and nothing that can create an unproductive work environment any faster. People usually become resentful when they feel as though their efforts (or they themselves) are not respected. We have all been on the receiving end of brusque—or brash—criticism at work, and none of us wants to commit the same offense. Following are ten ways to avoid this behavior with your superiors, your team members, and your coworkers and promote a truly supportive network.
Horn, Sheryl A. Intercom (2003). Careers>Workplace>Collaboration
#15214
Contends that technical writers can improve their effectiveness by employing abbreviations, hyphenations, and contractions.
Fredericks, David. Intercom (2000). Articles>Writing
#14794
Bush describes the differing challenges of editing proposals, manuals, and professional papers.
Bush, Donald W. Intercom (2002). Articles>Editing
#30776
Three-Dimensional Illustration for Technical Communicators 
You don't need to be a skilled illustrator to create effective 3-D graphics. Three-dimensional illustration allows the technical communicator to respond quickly to project changes and create imagery appropriate for most publications or multimedia. Burns' article shows the benefits of 3-D artwork and its potential for technical communicators.
Burns, Tom K. Intercom (2008). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>3D
#14620
Tips for the Help Developer: Reliability Testing
Walstad presents a process for reliability testing in the development of help systems. She offers tips for ensuring reliability in each of the three steps: designing, planning, and testing. This article includes a list of online resources.
Walstad, Catherine M. Intercom (2000). Design>Documentation>Help
#14643
Tips from the Tops in Our Field
Fugate presents advice from seasoned professions for new entrepreneurs in technical communication.
Fugate, Alice E. Intercom (2000). Careers>TC
#14634
To Chat or Not to Chat?--That Is the Question
Archee evaluates certain Internet chat systems and discusses their practical and professional uses.
Archee, Raymond K. Intercom (2000). Design>Web Design>Chat
#28560
Top Ten Mistakes in Content Management Implementation
Implementing and working with a CMS can be a challenge. The author provides some common reasons why CM implementations fail so you can try to avoid such mistakes.
Bailie, Rahel Anne. Intercom (2007). Articles>Content Management>Project Management
#28080
Total Product Communication: Your Company Is Your Product
Learn how your work as a technical communicator can impact the marketing communication and corporate communication departments of your company. This article provides ways to demonstrate the value that effective technical communication adds across the business.
Wilson, John. Intercom (2006). Articles>Business Communication>TC
#27270
Intercultural experts offer their insights about working with colleagues from specific cultures. Included is a table presenting various cultural differences that communicators may experience.
Pejovic, Jean and Marie-Louise Desfray Beaujouan. Intercom (2006). Articles>Collaboration>International
#14762
Translating Videos for an International Market
Smith explains the process of translating videos. The article includes sidebars on video terms and advice on choosing a video translation firm.
Smith, Jackie. Intercom (2002). Design>Multimedia>Localization>Video
#24176
Translation and Localization Trends in the Baltic States
When I first got into the business twenty years ago, most translation work was limited to the FIGS languages: French, Italian, German, and Spanish. But today, to reach markets opened by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the opening of the Chinese economy beginning in 2001, competitive businesses must tap into 'minor' languages.
Frievalds, John. Intercom (2004). Articles>Language>Localization>Eastern Europe
#19695
Some grammatical structures in English can pose problems for translators, particularly if those structures can be interpreted in more than one way. Murphy’s Law says that your reader will often use the wrong interpretation, resulting in mangled translations. Spoken language allows supplemental methods—like voice intonation, facial expressions, and physical movements— to convey meaning. However, print communication lacks the support of those nonverbal clues. To ensure clear meaning, writers must avoid expressions that require supplemental, nonverbal clues. They must depend on good structure and correct grammar to communicate their meaning.
Maaks, Betsy M. Intercom (2003). Articles>Language>Localization
#14605
Nagy discusses what the translation industry can expect during the new year, including trends in Web site translation, language sensitivity, and agency management strategies, as well as the effects of increased competition.
Nagy, Charlene. Intercom (2003). Design>Language>Localization>Web Design
#15215
Reviews two trends in translation software: machine translation (MT) and translation memory (TM).
Altanero, Tim. Intercom (2000). Design>Language>Translation>Machine Translation
#14610
Trends for 2000: Moving Beyond the Cottage
This article is one of two cover stories detailing trends in technical communication 2000. JoAnn Hackos predicts that technical communication will move from a 'cottage' industry--one that is dominated by independent craftspeople with a personal vision of their product--to a corporate industry. To survive in this team-oriented, cost-effective environment, Hackos suggests that technical communicators take note of some of the trends guiding the profession from a cottage to a corporate industry:
Hackos, JoAnn T. Intercom (2000). Articles>TC>History
#14611
Trends for 2000: Thriving in the Boom Years
This article is one of two cover stories detailing trends in technical communication for 2000. Saul Carliner outlines trends in business, technology, writing and design, and the profession of technical communication, and examines their impact on technical communication jobs and organizations in general.
Carliner, Saul. Intercom (2000). Articles>TC>History
#15216
Trends in HTML-Based Help Design
Discusses some of the new and upcoming design trends in HTML-based systems. These designs are not the kinds of systems that most people will create on arrival to HTML-based help, but are experimental designs people create as they segue from Windows-based help.
Lockett-Zubak, Cheryl. Intercom (2000). Articles>Web Design>HTML
#21319
Trends in Management: Observations of a SIG Manager
Herr, the manager of STC's Management special interest group, shares some informal observations on several economic and social trends affecting technical communication managers, including telecommuting, outsourcing, contracting, offshoring, and virtual and face-to-face professional networking.
Herr, Judith M. Intercom (2004). Careers>Management>Outsourcing
#15217
Trends in Technical Communication: An Independent's View
Responding to articles from a previous issue of Intercom, Frick reacts to professional trends that affect her independent consulting business.
Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2000). Careers>Freelance>Consulting
#14640
Bacak, the executive director of the American Translators Association, provides an overview of some important trends in the translation profession.
Bacak, Walter. Intercom (2000). Design>Language>Translation>Localization
#14678
Houser explores the growing popularity of XML and compares several current XML authoring tools. A sidebar to the article explains the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) standards process.
Houser, Alan R. Intercom (2001). Design>Information Design>XML
#24196
Many of us (myself included) get caught up in our day-to-day work and forget the value that comes with meeting people face to face. I was reminded of the importance of these meetings in January, when I attended the STC-James River Chapter 2004 Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. The conference sessions covered everything from intercultural technical communication to XML migration strategies. For me, the conference was an opportunity to find out what was on the minds of technical communicators in the area. As it turned out, some of those concerns related to the theme for this issue.
Martin, Maurice. Intercom (2004). Careers>Freelance>Collaboration
