Two Views on STC Certification    

The ongoing discussion of certification continues with these concurrent articles, each arguing a different side of the coin.

Rosenberg, Nad and Geoffrey J.S. Hart. Intercom (2008). Articles>Certification>TC>STC

The Two-Headed Coin: Usability and Market Research  

Tracks the importance of usability and market research by following a typical project through each stage of development.

Bunker, Gary. Intercom (2006). Articles>Usability>Marketing

Ukraine: A Technical Communication Perspective  

Discusses Ukrainian communication practices and explains why the country could become an important region in the world economy.

St. Amant, Kirk R. Intercom (2002). Articles>TC>Regional>Ukraine

Understanding Career Development  

Describes four stages of career development.

Oestreich, Linda L. Intercom (2002). Careers>Advice

Underutilized: What You Can Do  

Describes how technical writers who feel their jobs aren't challenging enough can obtain more responsibilities.

Block, Barbara M. Intercom (2001). Careers>Workplace>TC

The Undervaluation of Writing Expertise  

Main argues that technical writing departments should value writing expertise more than tool experience when evaluating job candidates.

Main, Michael D. Intercom (2001). Articles>Writing>Assessment

An Unfair Test  

Machine translation has improved greatly over the years, but one type of human communication, figurative language, remains difficult for computers to tackle. When we hear 'You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink,' we know that the speaker is probably commenting on human, not equine, nature.

Intercom (2004). Articles>Language>Localization>Machine Translation

The Unified Modeling Language  

Chu defines Unified Modeling Language (UML) as a standardized system of diagrams, notations, and semantics for object-oriented design and modeling. He offers a basic introduction to UML, provides a conceptual model, and describes UML's building blocks and common mechanisms. The article includes a brief history of UML.

Chu, Steve W. Intercom (2000). Design>User Interface>XML>UML

Urban Legends of the Technical Communication Field  

Examines three widely held beliefs regarding technical communication and shows how they distort reality.

Statt, Ronald A. Intercom (2004). Articles>TC

Usability and Findability: Getting the Synergy Right  

Read about techniques for successful search engine optimization (SEO) as well as examples of good and bad keywording methods.

Spencer, Stephan. Intercom (2006). Articles>Usability>Methods

Usability and User Experience Design: The Next Decade  

Predicts that usability practitioners will need new skills to cope with changes in this field.

Wilson, Chauncey E. Intercom (2005). Articles>Usability>User Centered Design

Usability Is in Your Future  

Barnum discusses the importance of usability testing and suggests ways that managers of technical communication departments can convince their organizations to invest in usability.

Barnum, Carol M. Intercom (2003). Careers>Usability>Management

Usability Testing: Don't Let the Myths Put You Off  

Jarrett dispels several myths about usability testing that may dissuade technical communicators from applying valuable usability techniques.

Jarrett, Caroline. Intercom (2003). Articles>Usability>Methods>Testing

Usability, User Experience, Or Both?  

Explains how the new name of the former STC Usability SIG better serves the growing number of technical communicators whose work encompasses the overall product--not just usability or documentation.

Bachmann, Karen L. Intercom (2005). Articles>Usability>Community Building>User Experience

Usability: Making the Web Work  

Olive provides an overview of usability as it applies to Web design and discusses how to implement good design techniques on Web sites.

Olive, Eric G. Intercom (2002). Design>Usability>Web Design

Using a Bookstore to Land a Job  

Discusses how technical writers can prepare for new jobs by focusing on potential employers' needs and upgrading their writing skills.

Bush, Donald W. Intercom (2002). Careers>Interviewing>Writing

Using a Résumé to Showcase Your Talents  

Demonstrates how technical communicators can create achievement-based résumés that emphasize past accomplishments and future potential.

Bailie, Rahel Anne. Intercom (2003). Careers>Resumes>TC

Using a Writing Method to Design Applications  

Arguing that technical writers have the skills to do more than write documentation, Van Mansom demonstrates how technical writers can apply writing methods to the creation of software.

Van Mansom, Kees. Intercom (2001). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric

Using CSS with Your HTML  

Ellison's detailed introduction to cascading style sheets (CSS), the technology that enables technical writers to apply formatting to HTML-based content, includes examples of how CSS is commonly used and offers tips on how to implement it.

Ellison, Matthew. Intercom (2002). Design>Web Design>CSS

Using Editors to Win Proposals  

Paradoxically, engineers are often forced to seek jobs by pursuing a skill at which they are, admittedly, often inferior: expository writing. To win proposals for new business, they have to put their worst foot forward. This unhappy situation presents a great opportunity for editors.

Bush, Donald W. Intercom (2004). Articles>Editing>Proposals

Using Humor in the Technical Writing Classroom    

Humor in the classroom is about engagement and involvement. Learn some new techniques to use and when to tread carefully.

Campbell, Alexa. Intercom (2008). Articles>Education>Writing>Technical Writing

Using In-Country Reviews to Ensure Quality Translations  

Too often, in-country translation reviews are overlooked, even though they can document valuable feedback and save customers time and money on translation projects. The author provides several criteria for deciding whether such a review is right for your project.

Deschamps-Potter, Catherine M. Intercom (2007). Articles>Language>Localization>Methods

Using Linux at Work and Home    

For those who dream about gaining high-speed, efficient, and bug-free performance from their PCs, Archee discusses the option of Linux, the world's most developed computer operating system—and it's free.

Archee, Raymond K. Intercom (2008). Articles>Computing>Software>Linux

Using Résumés to Show the Value of Skilled Writing  

The difficult conditions in today’s tight job market provide a silver lining for those who teach technical writing. This urgent environment makes it easier to demonstrate the practical value of writing skills to students developing résumés and letters of application.

Schmadeka, Wayne L. Intercom (2004). Careers>Resumes>Writing

Using Storyboards to Design Web-Based Training  

The question asked most often about storyboards, Wiens writes, is 'Why bother?' Wiens demonstrates the value of storyboards in creating online courses.

Wiens, Angela R. Intercom (1995). Design>Web Design>Instructional Design