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Technical Writer Tips & Tricks: Video Tutorials

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It should come as a surprise to no one that we all hate to read technical documentation. Not just our end users, but us technical communicators too. So it should also come as no surprise that, over the last year or two, requests for video tutorials (standalone or as companions to written documentation) have been at an all-time high. The major leaders in this space (Google, Apple, Adobe, and Cisco) have already dedicated huge resources to video libraries. If you’re not making (or considering making) at least some video tutorials, then you’re about to be left behind. Read more of this technical writing article »

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Technical Writing Tips & Tricks: Taming MS Office

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Over the years, many list members have posted their frustrations and their workarounds to the problems MS Office present to technical writers. At Techwhirl, we want to share some tips and tricks when it comes to MS Office application to hopefully make your life a little easier. Most of these you probably learned in your early days in technical writing…but in case you’ve forgotten or just missed them, here’s a summary of ten basic tips to make MS Office work for you. Read more of this technical writing article »

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Best Tech Writer Tips & Tricks from the TechWhirl Email Discussion List

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When technical communicators chat amongst themselves, vast quantities of really valuable information can be passed along, about tools, management techniques, trends, and lots of little ways to make the job go more smoothly. In 2011, Techwhirl’s email discussion list continued to provide a treasure trove of opinion, facts, recommendations, suggestions and ideas. As we close out the year, we thought it would be worthwhile to mine this vast expertise and provide you with some wide-ranging tips and tricks you can use in 2012 and beyond. Read more of this technical writing article »

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Tips & Tricks: Small Teams and Documenting a Changing UI

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A user interface can change as quickly as the sand that shifts under your feet when you’re on a beach close to the shoreline and a strong wave rolls in. The feeling can be quite similar, too. One moment you’re standing firmly on your own two feet. The next, you’re losing your balance and scrambling to find better footing. Read more of this technical writing article »

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Tips & Tricks: Large Teams and Documenting a Constantly Changing UI

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Working on a large development team with multiple writers, provides some clear advantages over the lone writer. At the same time, a large team presents some unique challenges. Here are seven tips for managing the tech comm effort when the UI is a constantly moving target. Read more of this technical writing article »

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Tips & Tricks: Staying Productive-and Sane-when Working in Isolation

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Your hands are cramping up and iTunes won’t update. You’ve been sitting too long. You’re a lone tech writer hammering out documentation. Deadlines are approaching. You sent out a rough first draft last month, and heard…nothing. Are your docs are so bad that mysterious forces are scouring Google to find new words to describe your [...] Read more of this technical writing article »