ScottNesbitt.net http://tc.eserver.org/publisher/ScottNesbitt.net A listing of works published by ScottNesbitt.net 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 ScottNesbitt.net http://tc.eserver.org/dir/ScottNesbitt.net Conversation, Cadence, and Writing http://tc.eserver.org/35781.html http://tc.eserver.org/35781.html Writing in a more conversational tone is a worthwhile goal. If you do it properly, you can draw readers in and make them more comfortable. The keys are to write as you'd speak, and to keep the flow and cadence smooth. Writing about Open Source to Kick Start (and Sustain) Your Career http://tc.eserver.org/35782.html http://tc.eserver.org/35782.html A report of a presentation by Dru Lavigne at FSOSS 2009 that discussed how to create and sustain a writing career by writing about Open Source. Exporting Your Writing from Google Docs http://tc.eserver.org/35783.html http://tc.eserver.org/35783.html A short article that discusses how to use the bulk export feature of Google Docs to back your work up to your computer. Taking Control of Your Communication http://tc.eserver.org/35784.html http://tc.eserver.org/35784.html With mobile phones, email, instant messaging, and the like we're expected to be available at all times. It should be this way, and this article explains one path to taking control of your communication. Making Time to Write What You Want to Write http://tc.eserver.org/35785.html http://tc.eserver.org/35785.html Is it hard for you to find the time to write the things that you want to write? This article looks at some changes that you can make to your life in order to free up that time. Four Keys to Writing Quickly http://tc.eserver.org/35786.html http://tc.eserver.org/35786.html Writing quickly is a skill that you should definitely cultivate. This blog post looks at four techniques that you can use when you need to write quickly. Listening: An Essential Skill for the Freelancer http://tc.eserver.org/35789.html http://tc.eserver.org/35789.html How often do you really, truly listen to what a client has to say? Probably not often enough. This post looks at why you should. Essentials for the Mobile Writer http://tc.eserver.org/34977.html http://tc.eserver.org/34977.html For the freelance writer on the go, there are some items that are essential for what they're doing. This post looks at the gear that one writer uses when working away from the home office. Write Everything as if Writing for the Web http://tc.eserver.org/34978.html http://tc.eserver.org/34978.html Writing tightly means packing the most information into the least amount of space. It's not easy, but when you do it, the result is like magic. The key to being an effective writer is to keep what you’re writing short, to the point, and easy to read. Like the best writing on the Web. Thoughts on Creating a Backup Strategy http://tc.eserver.org/34745.html http://tc.eserver.org/34745.html Far too many writers have been in a situation where something goes wrong with their computer and their work is wiped out. They have to scramble to recover or (usually) redo that work, all for want of a good backup strategy. My Journey to Writing With a Wiki http://tc.eserver.org/34572.html http://tc.eserver.org/34572.html Wikis aren’t just tools for techies. They're also also for writers. In this article, one writer describes how he uses a wiki for his work. Writing with Bullets, A Bit Too Much http://tc.eserver.org/34573.html http://tc.eserver.org/34573.html Bullets definitely have their place in writing. But far too often, they're used to replace crisp, well-thought-out writing. Writing Technical Articles http://tc.eserver.org/34574.html http://tc.eserver.org/34574.html Some advice on writing articles about technology (and other topics) for a mass audience. A Few Essentials for the Freelancer http://tc.eserver.org/34092.html http://tc.eserver.org/34092.html A lot of cliches apply to freelancers — wearing many hats, fingers in many pies, juggling multiple tasks. In order to do everything that you need to do, you need the right tools. Aside from the usual suspects — productivity and publishing software, Web sites, and blogs — there are a number of essential tools that all freelancers should have at their disposal. Organization Through Simplification (Sort of) http://tc.eserver.org/34067.html http://tc.eserver.org/34067.html To keep organized, you don't need a complex system. In fact, as this blog post suggests, managing time and tasks is best done using a simple system. The Power of an Hour http://tc.eserver.org/34068.html http://tc.eserver.org/34068.html Sixty minutes isn't a lot of time. But if you use those 60 minutes wisely, you can get a lot of writing done. Introduction to JavaHelp http://tc.eserver.org/26311.html http://tc.eserver.org/26311.html An introduction to using Sun's JavaHelp system for creating online Help. Moving to DocBook http://tc.eserver.org/26308.html http://tc.eserver.org/26308.html DocBook is a powerful tool for creating and maintaining documentation. However, there are a number of factors you should consider before you move your documentation to DocBook. This article discusses reasons for and against making the switch to DocBook. Report On HTML Style Sheets http://tc.eserver.org/26312.html http://tc.eserver.org/26312.html A short report (circa 1997) on how one documentation deparment could use Cascading Style Sheets to format the HTML-based documentation it produces.