http://tc.eserver.org/publisher/International_Journal_for_Technical_Communication A listing of works published by International Journal for Technical Communication in the field of technical communication. en-us Copyright (c) 2005-08 by the EServer. All rights reserved. tclib-editorial@eserver.org (TC Library Editorial Board) webmaster@eserver.org (Geoffrey Sauer) http://tc.eserver.org/images/newlogo.gif http://tc.eserver.org/dir/International_Journal_for_Technical_Communication http://tc.eserver.org/31798.html http://tc.eserver.org/31798.html Master Strategist in discussion with the KnowGenesis editor-in-chief about the range of opportunities and challenges that lay ahead for the digital media industry. http://tc.eserver.org/31797.html http://tc.eserver.org/31797.html Beyond its revolutionary timesaving approach, "cut and paste" has metamorphosed into a fancy synonym for organized knowledge piracy, and on a bigger canvas as a psychological disorder that needs to be checked. http://tc.eserver.org/31349.html http://tc.eserver.org/31349.html The importance of oral presentations in professional environments related to Computer Science is unquestionable. Therefore, oral and writing skills are included in the set of competences to be developed by students through the application of recent academic initiatives for Computer Science degrees in an international context. This article describes activities performed at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid aimed at the development of presentation skills in students. This initiative is based on the application of learning activities in combination with the delivery of different presentations that the students themselves evaluate. Results show a significant competence improvement and very satisfactory acceptance results from the students. http://tc.eserver.org/31351.html http://tc.eserver.org/31351.html Now there is a growing body of science in the field of Emotional Intelligence (EI), indicating that the proper understanding and use of emotions can help us to be more effective professionals and better communicators for the overall development of a learning organization. This paper provides an overview of this topic and includes commentary from EI experts Daniel Goleman, Peter Salovey, and others to prove how one can effectively manipulate EI. This paper also highlights the components of EI and how they can be used to help employees create more productive working relationships inside and outside their organization. Through an analysis of various models of EI competencies available, this paper argues how they can be combined with other knowledge and technical capabilities to increase one’s overall effectiveness on the job. http://tc.eserver.org/31348.html http://tc.eserver.org/31348.html Not only people preparing to work in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, but also students of industrial chemistry and chemical engineering can immensely benefit from the material provided in this coursebook and supplementary CDs. http://tc.eserver.org/31350.html http://tc.eserver.org/31350.html During 1990–2002, the journal Current Science has published 291 review articles: biological sciences 135, medical sciences 53, physical sciences 31, chemical sciences 30, agricultural sciences 27, and geological sciences 15. Author synchronous self-references in each biological sciences review article and diachronous Science Citation Index (SCI) citations per review article have correlation 0.4. Recency for synchronous self-references was six years and one month, whereas half-life considering diachronous SCI citations was two years and five months. Review articles receiving ten or more SCI citations are identified. Editors of science journals may take into consideration recency while approving review submissions. http://tc.eserver.org/30367.html http://tc.eserver.org/30367.html Established in 2005, KnowGenesis Online Library for Technical Communication (www.knowgenesis.org/tc) is India's first online repository dedicated to accelerate knowledge sharing and promote self-learning in the field of technical communication. The library is available free of cost and require one time free registration to access the available material. The popularity and success rate of the library can be determined by the fact that within a year of its launch, it not only attracted more than 24000 visitors and gained more than 1500 subscribers, but also increased the volume of the hosted content from few documents to more than 2000 important documents, presentations, tutorials and links. KnowGenesis library presents a unique case for repository designers to study the complex design and implementation process that contributed to the stability and overall success rate of the online library. This paper not only shares the designing and implementation challenges faced by the knowgenesis team, but also presents the approach used to match the user requirements with the library design. Based on the lessons learned during the process, the paper also presents specific set of guidelines and recommends methodologies that can provide critical assistance for developing and managing medium and large scale repositories http://tc.eserver.org/30368.html http://tc.eserver.org/30368.html Before taking the challenge of handling information efficiently head on, automated programs for Knowlege Discovery and data analysis have to prove their worth by providing easy-to-use tools for everyday use. http://tc.eserver.org/30296.html http://tc.eserver.org/30296.html Cultural studies is an academic field that focuses on understanding the unchallenged assumptions that constrain and shape communication and related interactions among people. Although the field has made considerable progress in the last half-century, many practitioners have either never encountered the field, or have encountered it only through extremist advocates who do the field a great disservice. As a result, they have lost the ability to benefit from the insights provided by cultural studies. In this paper, I review the recent book Critical Power Tools to provide an update on the current thinking in the field, and to demonstrate how the modern form of the field has much to teach technical communications practitioners who are willing to listen to what the theoreticians have to say. http://tc.eserver.org/30294.html http://tc.eserver.org/30294.html An interview with the senior manager of Library and Document Services for the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. http://tc.eserver.org/30295.html http://tc.eserver.org/30295.html Views on various dimensions of the knowledge audit (KA) process, and how organizations can use this tool to achieve organizational objectives. During the discussion, participants analyzed the pre-requisites, advantages, and process of the knowledge audit. This article presents a summarized version of the issues discussed. http://tc.eserver.org/29917.html http://tc.eserver.org/29917.html Cultural studies is an academic field that focuses on understanding the unchallenged assumptions that constrain and shape communication and related interactions among people. Although the field has made considerable progress in the last half-century, many practitioners have either never encountered the field, or have encountered it only through extremist advocates who do the field a great disservice. As a result, they have lost the ability to benefit from the insights provided by cultural studies. In this paper, I review the recent book Critical Power Tools to provide an update on the current thinking in the field, and to demonstrate how the modern form of the field has much to teach technical communications practitioners who are willing to listen to what the theoreticians have to say. http://tc.eserver.org/29916.html http://tc.eserver.org/29916.html IJTC invited several experts to share their views on various dimensions of the knowledge audit (KA) process, and how organizations can use this tool to achieve organizational objectives. During the discussion, participants analyzed the pre-requisites, advantages, and process of the knowledge audit. This article presents a summarized version of the issues discussed. http://tc.eserver.org/28890.html http://tc.eserver.org/28890.html Web feed is an automated web content syndication and surfing technique. It is a new eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based mechanism that influences and enhances library functions and services. This paper briefly discusses web feed creation using RDF (Resource Description Framework) Site Summary (RSS) format, content syndication, and client software used to track and read the web feed contents. It also describes how libraries can use this technique to offer different Current Awareness Services (CAS)/Information Services libraries' to its subscribers. http://tc.eserver.org/28885.html http://tc.eserver.org/28885.html Commonwealth Scholarship Commission encourages mid-career professionals to update their knowledge in sectors regarded as making an important contribution to the development of Commonwealth countries. The programs are very intensive and challenging, and demand very hard work to complete successfully the varieties of activities within the time limit. This paper describes the program and activities of a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship (CPF) in the United Kingdom in education and technology and its contribution towards sustainable professional development undertaken between 1 November and 31 January 2006. http://tc.eserver.org/28891.html http://tc.eserver.org/28891.html The field of technical communication focuses on the ability of the author to gather information, interpret it, and then present the necessary items to the reader in a clear and concise manner. This article serves to briefly outline several of the key factors involved when deciding how to include imagery in technical materials. http://tc.eserver.org/28887.html http://tc.eserver.org/28887.html The advent of e-publishing has brought a revolution in journal publication, subscription, access, and delivery. Print journals' publishing costs include high article processing costs, and high production and marketing costs. E-journal production and access costs are increasing due to the rising cost of infrastructure, customer support, IT savvy human resources, etc. While these costs form the base, other pricing factors include the number of nodes, multiple campuses, an access mode, training, perpetual access, etc. Dwindling library budgets and the growing number of journals force libraries to form consortia for accessing e-journals. The old concept of 'consortium' is a strategic alliance of institutions having common interests. http://tc.eserver.org/28888.html http://tc.eserver.org/28888.html This paper estimates the growth of Science and Technology (S&T) journals in post-independence India. http://tc.eserver.org/28889.html http://tc.eserver.org/28889.html The incorporation of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in the teaching-learning process of technical education programs in Indian universities is a relatively recent and gradual phenomenon. Most technical education colleges in the country still follow the traditional classroom and blackboard oriented teaching approach. This study, conducted on a group of engineering students at Agra, India, evaluated the impact of using web-based audio-visual study aids alongside (and as a supplement to) the traditional classroom teaching methodology and observed a substantial improvement in the students' academic performance. http://tc.eserver.org/28886.html http://tc.eserver.org/28886.html Software development and related IT services have boosted the Indian economy in the recent past. There are potential opportunities to provide innovative products and services. There are a large number of small and medium sized software development enterprises that are today in the market in response to demand. While most of them are engaged in software development services, there are a few organizations involved in software product development. Parallelly, Open Source Software (OSS) developers provide the complete source code of their software (libraries, APIs, device drivers and functional packages) free of charge. There is a great incentive for software product developers to use these available resources. However, all Open Source software is subject to specific terms of use or a license which is specified as part of the software. There is no catalogued repository of open source software that provides the licensing details as well as terms of reuse of the software. Software And Licensing Information System (SALIS) fills that void and attempts to provide details required by software product developers to make a decision on what software components can be used and built upon. http://tc.eserver.org/28877.html http://tc.eserver.org/28877.html Apart from implementing the right technology, libraries need a clear understanding of changing user requirements, the capabilities and limitations of emerging technologies, and the changing nature of scholarly communication. http://tc.eserver.org/28875.html http://tc.eserver.org/28875.html An interview with Geoffrey Sauer, a professor of Rhetoric and Professional Communication and the director of the EServer TC Library. http://tc.eserver.org/28878.html http://tc.eserver.org/28878.html Preparing to write your first White Paper? Promila provides you a 360-degree view of white paper writing and the subsequent information that will help you envisage the bigger picture. http://tc.eserver.org/28580.html http://tc.eserver.org/28580.html How can budding writers achieve a middle path in their approach to documentation? This no-model approach is an attempt at busting the myth that only a model-based approach works. http://tc.eserver.org/28572.html http://tc.eserver.org/28572.html We are witnessing a paradigm shift towards establishing ourselves as a dynamic, progressive society, which knows its place and responsibilities within the international arena. While growing independently, we are not only paving the path for the creation of a new social order in which fresh and diverse values coexist, but are also constantly in the process of developing a harmonious relationship with each other through collaboration, rising above vested interests and conflicts. http://tc.eserver.org/28577.html http://tc.eserver.org/28577.html The first of those challenges is merely getting individuals within the company to communicate with each other, wherever they are located. Many organizations have trouble getting people to share information who aren't on the same floor, so adding remote workers or those in other geographical locations can prove difficult. Corporations are realizing how important it is to 'know what they know' and to be able to make maximum use of the knowledge. This knowledge resides in many different places, such as, databases, knowledge bases, filing cabinets, and people's heads, and it is impossible to keep track of and make use of this distributed knowledge. Knowledge Management (KM) needs careful planning and analysis. While technology can support KM, it is not the be all and end all of KM. Knowledge Management decisions should be based on who (people), what (knowledge), and why (business objectives). Critical success factors for KM can be broadly categorized into four classes: people, processes, technology, and sustained strategic commitment. The four pillars of the model are also used to explain the critical success factors in Knowledge Management. http://tc.eserver.org/28574.html http://tc.eserver.org/28574.html Metadata from the world of librarians and database searching is moving to center stage in our everyday lives. And the metadata 'revolution' is coming to us through pictures--those cute, happy, funny shots of kids, parents, neighbors and workmates that we love to share and post on the internet. http://tc.eserver.org/28576.html http://tc.eserver.org/28576.html Open access digital repositories give barrier-free access to literature for study and research to users worldwide. They solve the pricing and permission crises for scholarly materials. This paper deals with open access digital repositories in India. The results of the study reveal that the repositories contain both published and unpublished documents, like seminar proceedings, conference papers, theses, dissertations, research reports, books, and so on. The results also point out that open access digital repositories in India are mostly subject specific and commonly use open source information repository software like DSpace, Greenstone Digital Library Software, and GNU EPrints. It is observed that generally the open access digital repositories use OAI-PMH (protocol for metadata harvesting), so that they can be accessed using search tools such as Web search engines, whereas a few don't use it but provide direct access to their documents through their websites. http://tc.eserver.org/28573.html http://tc.eserver.org/28573.html An interview with Nick Maselli, Senior Manager, English Editing Group, UTStarcom Telcom, People's Republic of China. http://tc.eserver.org/28581.html http://tc.eserver.org/28581.html Usability is more than just a means to achieve a certain percent satisfaction with the user. It is a 'common sense' approach to impart good quality methodologies to the system, be it related to design, placement of icons, navigation, content, or structure, that will eventually improve the product quality. Vikas discusses how usability relates to other facets of technology, and how Technical Writers can play a vital role in improving the product, while balancing usability and content. http://tc.eserver.org/28575.html http://tc.eserver.org/28575.html Web technologies have changed the whole scenario of information generation, processing, and dissemination. Web resources have become the wave of the future. They have become, in the online world, an attempt to harness the power of the computer. Web resources have opened new vistas and opportunities to extend the reach of messages via novel and exciting channels and modes of communication. Almost all printed documents are now available online. http://tc.eserver.org/28250.html http://tc.eserver.org/28250.html Carol M. Barnum is Professor of Technical Communication and Director of the Usability Center, at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, GA. She is also a technical communication consultant specializing in custom training and usability, an award-winning author, a top presenter at the Society for Technical Communication (STC) annual conferences, a Fellow of STC, and a recipient of the STC's Jay R. Gould Award for Excellence in Teaching Technical Communication. She was a member of the STC's board of directors for seven years, three years as a Director-Sponsor and four years as Assistant to the President for Publications. Her graduate and undergraduate courses in technical communication at Southern Polytechnic include a graduate level course in usability testing. Her consulting work includes testing hardware, computer-based training, software, and websites. Her most recent book, Usability Testing and Research, reflects the focus of her work on usability since 1992. In her discussion with KnowGenesis, she shared her views on how organizations can benefit by investing more on usability research. http://tc.eserver.org/28137.html http://tc.eserver.org/28137.html If you are still struggling to decode the complex jargon and structure of English grammar with a long list of reference books, relax. The long wait for a reader-friendly book on English grammar is over. With her straightforward and perfectly-logical approach, Jane Straus reveals the mysteries of grammar and punctuations in her book The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. The book is extremely well-organized, allowing readers to quickly locate the required topics. Concepts are described in clear and simple phrases, backed with examples from everyday language usage. http://tc.eserver.org/28135.html http://tc.eserver.org/28135.html India's medical tradition and knowledge base can be traced back to the Vedas (c.5000 BC), especially the Atharvaveda. The works of Charaka and Sushruta (c.2000 years ago) are well known. Parts of this ancient knowledge have been passed down generations by word of mouth and through the gurukula system. However, documentation about the incidence of diseases, the state of health of the people, medical practices and health care delivery in India during the period prior to the 18th century is meager, the sources being mainly the notes, memoirs and travelogues of visiting travelers. During the colonial period (c.1615-1930) western medical practices took roots in the country. The colonial powers recognizing that 'knowledge is power', commissioned surveys and studies about the terrain, fauna, flora, climate, environment, customs, and indigenous health practices, etc. in different parts of India. Officers of the Indian Medical Service (IMS) wrote over 1400 books, reports, tracts and papers covering a wide range of medical and health topics. Such sources together with the tacit knowledge of the officers involved contributed to the 'colonial knowledge base'. This paper discusses briefly this knowledge base and lists the writings of the IMS officers in the fields of (1) materia medica, (2) botanical studies including Indian medicinal plants, and (3) medical topography of India. http://tc.eserver.org/28134.html http://tc.eserver.org/28134.html This paper presents an empirical investigation of the stability of five search engines, namely Altavista, Google, Hotbot, Scirus and Bioweb, carried out over two different time periods with different search queries selected from 'LC List of Subject Headings' with a closer examination of the URLs and their contents. The three different fluctuations identified, one of them being significant, show that Hotbot is prone to result fluctuations while Scirus is inclined to indexing fluctuations, and Bioweb is the most stable. http://tc.eserver.org/28138.html http://tc.eserver.org/28138.html Documentation projects require a significant amount of coordination and planning, and managers often find themselves faced with the challenge of successfully integrating a range of new elements including international legal requirements, new players, budgets and scheduling demands to make a product successful. Most often they look around for solutions to develop an effective strategy for their documentation projects that places control in their hands. http://tc.eserver.org/28133.html http://tc.eserver.org/28133.html A technical writer is not respected; information providers and reviewers do not understand the importance of documentation; my deadlines are not given priority. Do these statements sound familiar? Are there any solutions to these woes that will help us deliver the best output to the end-user? http://tc.eserver.org/28136.html http://tc.eserver.org/28136.html When users find the answers they are looking for, the investment in technical documentation gets a chance to pay off. In large volumes of technical information, just finding the answer can be half the battle. Microsoft found that users of its intranet were spending an average of 2.5 hours per day online - 50% of that being searching. This article was written as part of an experimental online workshop with the MITWA (Mentors, Indexers, Technical Writers & Associates) discussion group(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MITWA/). The article retains the workshop format including learning assignments. http://tc.eserver.org/28139.html http://tc.eserver.org/28139.html Differences in value systems often impact how effectively individuals collaborate. In today's growing markets, where boundaries have, literally and metaphorically, blurred to the point of disappearing, developing a better understanding of the factors that influence successful cross-cultural communication and international team-work remains a challenge. But with a little thought, cultural awareness and planning, this can be done successfully. http://tc.eserver.org/27885.html http://tc.eserver.org/27885.html Collaboration and cooperation - real and virtual - among people with commonality of interests and practices have given rise to e-communities and web-based communities. This paper examines some intra- and inter-community communications and exchanges, other than scholarly and business communications, and the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in this context. With particular reference to rural and marginalized communities, it considers positive aspects of ICT applications, such as acceleration of empowerment, creation of a more level playing field, facilitation of expression of and greater visibility to their needs and 'dreams', and utilization of the tacit 'community knowledge' for the greater welfare of society. It presents a few illustrative cases. It suggests that Knowledge Management (KM) ideas usually applied to enterprises can be extended to cover e-communities taking into consideration some additional parameters or dimensions. http://tc.eserver.org/27887.html http://tc.eserver.org/27887.html It is my firm belief that every technical writer is passionate about her work and would put in her best efforts to deliver high quality. If you are a manager or an editor and are shaking your head in disagreement, think again. Why would someone want to submit a work of poor quality? http://tc.eserver.org/27884.html http://tc.eserver.org/27884.html The index can often be the most heavily used 'chapter' in any publication and helping the user find an answer is the key to fulfilling the technical document's mission, justifying the effort and expense for its creation. Yet, indexing facilities in open source packages for document creation remains largely unexplored, offering a marvelous opportunity to do it right! This article provides a generic specification (with reasons) to open source developers for creating useful indexing facilities in packages such as OpenOffice and Scribus. It also informs writers about what to look for and what to ask for in any indexing tool. Finally, the article demonstrates the need for software developers to work closely with practitioners and users. http://tc.eserver.org/27883.html http://tc.eserver.org/27883.html Hsinchun Chen, in his book Knowledge Management Systems: A Text Mining Perspective, has made knowledge management look simple and understandable. http://tc.eserver.org/27879.html http://tc.eserver.org/27879.html As organizations realize the real benefits of knowledge management, they are prepared to invest in a consistent and long-term model to leverage their true potential. But what are the critical factors determining the success of these knowledge management programs? http://tc.eserver.org/27880.html http://tc.eserver.org/27880.html Documents should be user-friendly, no doubt. And tools need to be writer-friendly, and bring out the best ability of the writer to create user-friendly documents. From user-friendliness to how technical writing has changed over the years, Peter Ring shares with us insights gained from decades of experience in the field. http://tc.eserver.org/27886.html http://tc.eserver.org/27886.html Science and technology are intimately related. The technology sector that drives the modern economy would never have arisen without basic scientific research, and that research is now being funded by companies seeking to gain a technological edge over their competitors. Despite this mutual dependence, technical communication has taken different paths in science and industry. Technology and knowledge transfer, the communication of research results to an audience that can implement the results, bridges these two solitudes and strongly resembles much of the work done by other technical communicators. http://tc.eserver.org/26860.html http://tc.eserver.org/26860.html PRC AcosHelp is the World's first 'single source' Windows online help system that allows you to use Adobe Acrobat PDF files for context sensitive online help. AcosHelp is very useful for Document Management systems, where the documents are stored as PDF-files. http://tc.eserver.org/26857.html http://tc.eserver.org/26857.html Data, which is readily available at the click of a mouse, is the buzzword in today’s world of rapid technological advancements. Looking at it for the first time, it may seem that the easy availability of data leaves no room for automation techniques, but as a matter of fact the process of documentation is clearly witnessing a sharp inclination towards automation. Though these automation techniques are already in place, it would take some time before they could be accepted by the masses. http://tc.eserver.org/26859.html http://tc.eserver.org/26859.html A review of Kim Sydow Campbell's book Coherence, Continuity, and Cohesion: Theoretical Foundations for Document Design. http://tc.eserver.org/26856.html http://tc.eserver.org/26856.html Writing is popularly believed to be a spontaneous exercise. Often it is, but one cannot sustain oneself as a writer of merit, as a writer whose works will live on, without quality. Quality control--who could disagree with that? Whatever we write needs to be freed from both paper and its production costs, but not from peer review, whose 'invisible hand' is what maintains its quality. Peer review is educative, informative, enlightening. Peer review invests you with the confidence that eggs you on to keep writing. Peer review offers you the credibility you seek in the writing market, from editors, publishers, agents and readers. Peer review lends respect to your writing, and with time, to your by-line. http://tc.eserver.org/26858.html http://tc.eserver.org/26858.html Mark H. Clifford's career in technical communication has included managing eighty-plus writers and designers engaged on projects with clients in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. He was part of a project team that developed a process model for outsourcing, and then running technical communication groups for major organizations (HP, Nokia, Ferranti) worldwide. He currently runs his own information design and recruitment company, providing consultancy and resource solutions for European clients from offices in the UK and France. http://tc.eserver.org/26825.html http://tc.eserver.org/26825.html KnowGenesis is a forum to promote free exchange of thoughts, knowledge and literature in the field of technical communication. KnowGenesis is the dream shared by two technical communicators - Ginu George and Saurabh Kudesia. Their intense interest clubbed with knowledge collaboration led to the formation of KnowGenesis. The co-foundersí ideology is reflected in the way KnowGenesis is designed. KnowGenesis provides open access to all its content on the principle that making information freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. http://tc.eserver.org/26781.html http://tc.eserver.org/26781.html KnowGenesis IJTC is a freely available, international, scholarly journal, dedicated to making accessible the results of research across a wide range of information-related disciplines under Technical Communication. KnowGenesis publishes both referred papers and working papers in the fields of technical communication, documentation, information science, information and technology management, information systems and information policy. http://tc.eserver.org/26780.html http://tc.eserver.org/26780.html KnowGenesis Library is India's first online library for Technical Communication. Within few months of its launch, KnowGenesis library is already creating waves in the international technical writing community. The library has more than 1200 important documents, reference materials, articles, e-books etc contributed by our members. KnowGenesis library is also partnering with Digital Curation Center UK for promoting digital preservation and is opening great opportunities for Indian technical writer to mark their presence in the international market. The information provided on the KnowGenesis library is FREE for all and just require a one time FREE registration (http://knowgenesis.org/tc/index.php?option=com_registration&task=register). There is no charge/fee whatsoever involved for using the library material. Registered users can submit their work to the library, browse through the large collection of material and can even volunteer for the administration.