Adam Polansky, recognized as a founding pioneer in the field of information architecture (IA), is an unusual mix of eclectic tactician and IA visionary. Before he entered the IT world, Adam had variously been a member of the military, an illustrator for an advertising agency, and a retail manager, among other roles. Lois Patterson sat down with Adam Polansky at LavaCon to talk information architecture, empathy, user experience & goals for technical communications projects. Read more of this technical writing article »
Book Review: Developing User Assistance for Mobile Apps
Remember when the Windows Start button was a new thing? When printed manuals for software applications were first making way for electronic “Help” files, Joe Welinske was part of a team that produced an essential work for technical writers wrestling with new technology, Developing Online Help for Windows 95. Now at the dawn of a new age, Welinske, president of WritersUA in Seattle, offers technical communicators another help in navigating new waters with Developing User Assistance for Mobile Apps. Read more of this technical writing article »
LavaCon Session Summary: Dr. Johnette Hassell on Document Retention and eDiscovery
Dr. Johnette Haskell, a distinguished computer forensics expert, discusses the impacts of eDiscovery on technical communications. With the use of sophisticated forensic techniques that take advantage of the technology used in hardware and software, it is possible to uncover more electronic evidence than you would ever think possible. She notes that with a set of good policies and procedures, you can mitigate the potential harm and disruption that an eDiscovery request might do to your business. A subpoena to search all of your company and personal computers can be unbelievably disruptive, and many parties settle a case rather than have to deal with this outcome. Read more of this technical writing article »
LavaCon Session Summary: Marta Rauch on Mobile Usability
Mobile technology is big business, and it is important to design applications that fit the form factors for various mobile devices. Marta Rauch guides us through the seven important mobile usability guidelines that technical communicators must be aware of when designing for operating systems such as Android and iOS. Read more of this technical writing article »
LavaCon Session Summary: Designing a UCD-Based Online and Mobile User Experience
As the Online Services Manager at Security Service Federal Credit Union, Jay Tkachuk oversaw the creation of an entirely revamped company website, for both traditional online as well as mobile use, using a UCD (user-centered design) approach. Effective design begins with the emotional context. You must satisfy the emotional needs of the user. But effective design also includes a rational context in terms of the sales cycle Read more of this technical writing article »
Uprooting Entrenched Processes: Process Improvement Using the Kaizen Method
At some point, you’ve undoubtedly found yourself following a procedure that didn’t seem to make sense, or that made sense but was hideously inefficient. But contexts evolve, and procedures gradually drift out of synch with the daily reality employees face. Sadly, most organizations have no formal process for updating their procedures to account for this drift. Here, I’ll boil down my Intercom article on the Kaizen method and chapters from my book into their essential elements, namely the conditions required for successful organizational change and how you, as a technical communicator, can participate in those changes. Read more of this technical writing article »
Usability and User Experience: Related but Different
Our User Experience (UX) industry is moving at such a fast pace that it is sometimes difficult to keep up with new concepts and ideas. When I first started working in the field, the term ‘usability’ did not exist and many of our clients today are still not familiar with the concepts that usability is embracing, let alone with User Experience. Usability is performance driven while user experience is a holistic approach. Read more of this technical writing article »
So Easy a Child Could Do It: Can We Make an Interface Too Usable?
When most of us think about usability, we probably think about websites, web applications, computer software, and more recently, tablets and mobile devices. Video game consoles usually do not come to mind, but they should. Read more of this technical writing article »
Book Review: Wiki: Grow Your Own for Fun and Profit
Not so long ago in a place not so far away, my boss, the president of the Company Where I Worked, invited me into his office. “Sit.” He said. So, I sat. “Look at this wiki.” He turned his monitor toward me and arbitrarily clicked links on the screen. “I can’t find anything. I can [...] Read more of this technical writing article »