Basic Flash Concepts and Terms

Macromedia Flash uses a movie-making metaphor in how they define their concepts and areas of their interface. The basic terms used to describe the animation are the movie, stage and motion.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2002). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Flash

Comparison of Flash and Director

Only six years ago the web did not support graphics and CD-ROM based games asked users if they had 4Mb of memory on their computer with possible hard drive space of 20Mb to play any games. Today, oh heck, that seems archaic.

David, Matthew. School for Champions (2002). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Flash

Conciseness is Key to Good Technical Documentation

One of the most important and difficult parts of technical documentation concerns writing in a concise manner. Technical writing is different than writing fiction or magazine articles, where a mood may be set or--in some cases--where space must be filled. (People seldom buy thin books.)

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2005). Articles>Document Design>Technical Writing>Minimalism

Developing a Web-Based Tutorial in RoboHelp

The very first thing you should do in developing a tutorial is to be familiar enough with the subject matter that you can write the content.

School for Champions (2005). Articles>Documentation>Writing>Technical Writing

Documents Needed for ISO 9000

There are four tiers of documentation recommended for satisfying ISO 9000 requirements. These documents are: the Quality Policy Manual, Procedures, Work Instructions, and Records.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2005). Articles>Documentation>Workplace>ISO 9000

Effective Use of Flash in Professional Web Sites

Macromedia Flash is a popular animation application that can produce some striking special effects. In professional web sites, Flash must be used effectively instead of simply for novelty. Business applications of Flash can advertise a product or showcase a skill-set. Educational applications can use Flash to provide multimedia instruction. Entertainment applications of Flash include games and cartoons.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2002). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Flash

The Five Powers of a Champion Technical Writer

Whenever you set a goal to achieve something, are given a work assignment or are presented with a challenge, five factors are involved in determining whether you will be successful in the activity.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2005). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing

Flash Applications

The reason to use Macromedia Flash is usually to provide a solution or to satisfy the need of the Web site owner. Typically, Flash is used to create a company image through animations and special effects in the splash page or even throughout the site, establish better user understanding through demonstrations and simulated processes, and/or entertain or educate through animated cartoons and games.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2002). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Flash

Indexing with FrameMaker

Indexing a document is an art in itself. Since Adobe FrameMaker is the program of choice for most companies producing technical documentation, it is worth while to find out how to create an index in FrameMaker.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2000). Articles>Indexing>Software>Adobe FrameMaker

Major Features of Flash

Macromedia Flash is primarily an animation development application. Its feature-set includes such things as vector-based drawing, Web animations and interactive effects. Drawing is required for animation, which in turn is part of interactive effects.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2002). Design>Web Design>Multimedia>Flash

Managing Your Writing Project

When you are assigned to a writing project, you must be sure you are doing what is really wanted or needed. You also need to know how long the job will take and need to follow some general project management methods, as applied to a writing assignment. An important part of managing a writing project is documenting all the requirements and initial factors. You should also document your progress, the outcome and lessons learned. This will help you in this project and in future writing projects.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2000). Articles>Writing

Marketing Yourself as an Independent Technical Writer

Some technical writers go into business for themselves as freelancers or independent contractors. A number of those become successful enough to form a writing company and hire a staff of other writers. In either case, the technical writer who is in business for him- or herself must continually perform marketing to maintain a steady income.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2000). Careers>Freelance

Planning Your Flash Animations

Before you start developing a Flash animation, it is a good practice to write out a plan of action. The reason is that any type of software development can be complex. Good planning helps to avoid mistakes that may be difficult to find and fix.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2002). Design>Multimedia>Planning>Flash

The Process of Writing a Technical Manual

Whether you are doing the whole job, have been assigned a critical part of the project or are managing the production of the technical manual, you need to know the process involved.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2005). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing

Records Required by ISO 9000

ISO 9000 requires that records be kept of critical operations. Record keeping is the fourth tier of required documentation in ISO 9000, following the Quality Policy Manual, Procedures, and Work Instructions.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2001). Articles>Business Communication>Standards>ISO 9000

Role of Technical Writers in Developing eLearning

Many companies are starting to use eLearning to train their workers, managers, customers and suppliers. Some of those companies want to use their internal technical writers or communicators to not only write the content, but also to develop the CBT or WBT.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions. Articles>Education>Online>Technical Writing

Types of Documentation Needed by Companies

Every business--large or small--needs documentation to operate effectively. Requirements for extensive internal documentation are spelled out in the ISO 9000 series of international standards. The major classifications of needed documents include marketing, user guides, administrative material and published works. Technical communicators are needed to write each of these types of documents.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2005). Articles>Documentation>Writing>ISO 9000

Using RoboHelp to Develop a Simple Web-Based Tutorial

Many technical communicators are tasked with converting user manuals and other documentation written in Adobe FrameMaker into online help using eHelp (formerly Blue Sky) RoboHelp. The problems they face concern not only going from FrameMaker to RoboHelp but also how to put the content in a form that is effective for online help. The solution is not difficult, provided the writer follows a methodical approach.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2003). Articles>Documentation>Software>RoboHelp

Using RoboHelp to Develop a Simple Web-Based Tutorial

RoboHelp is a top application for developing online help. It is also used for developing Web-based help, such as JavaHelp and RoboHelp's WebHelp. Besides being used for online or Web-help, RoboHelp can also be used to develop simple tutorials.

Kurtus, Ron. School for Champions (2001). Design>Documentation>Software>RoboHelp