Tech Writer Today Magazine - TechWhirl
Technical writing and technical communications news, articles and resources for technical writers and technical communicators.
We’ve begun to wonder if there’s a causal, or merely coincidental link, between prepping for one of the technical communications field’s biggest conferences and the rise in discussions around job hunting and career issues. Read more of this technical writing article »
One of the busiest threads on the TechWhirl email discussion list this week epitomizes the challenges when “traditional” technical communications intersects with the goliath of social media, Facebook. Monique Semp decided to turn to the list for wording/word suggestions about what happens when users “follow” other users, or “friend” (verb) in the parlance of Facebook itself. A fascinating discussion on several levels... Read more of this technical writing article »
In honor of National Passive Voice Day: A conflict has appeared concerning career prospects for technical writers. It was reported in the US Occupational Outlook Handbook that job growth will occur in the 16 percent range and is considered high growth. Information was published by Careercast (publicizing was done by Gurpreet Singh) showing growth in technical writing will be poor, on par with mathematicians and statisticians. In addition, a drop has occurred in the ranking of technical writing as a career from 26 to 37. A reason for this conflict has not been determined, but research should be done. Read more of this technical writing article »
On TechWhirl this week, we found ourselves deep into discussions about community--or lack thereof. Over on the email discussion list, whirlers are debating the usual assortment of word usage, punctuation, and tool issues. But they're also talking documentation in agile environments; the value of student interviews of professionals to get a handle on breaking into this community; and what constitutes great swag at conferences. Read more of this technical writing article »
It’s worth going back every so often and asking some basic questions about what we do, how we do it, and what it’s all for. We here at TechWhirl subscribe to a deep belief in “42,” and we also think the concept of “re-framing the community” is fascinating, challenging, and probably somewhat controversial. At least it should make for some really cool debates. We’ve come along way from square dances, one-room school houses and town criers, but electronic mobility and connectedness casts both shadows and lights into the corners of our communities, and it means big changes in how we think about what we do. Read more of this technical writing article »
We’ve had an amazingly busy week on many fronts, and like most of you, we’re looking forward to taking a breath and relaxing a bit during the holiday weekend. As you’ve probably guessed, April Fools’ Day is one of our favorite celebrations, and we timed our first ever Technical Communications April Fools’ antics to coincide with the launch of the News site for TechWhirl. If you’ve ever doubted that vendors really can have a sense of humor, check out the “new releases” from Adobe, Vasont Systems, Thirty Six Software, XML Press, INKtopia and TechWhirl, a report on a kerfluffle in Memphis, along with “research” and “tips” from Component One, STC and Publishing Smarter. Read more of this technical writing article »
In an effort to improve the quality, quantity and relevance of technical communications community discussions, TechWhirl today announces the launch of its intensive five-phase certification program, Forum/List Open Posting Professional, which is open to members of the TechWhirl email discussion list, readers of Tech Writer Today, and other members of the technical communications community. Read more of this technical writing article »
The old saying March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, apparently doesn't hold true in technical communications. TechWhirl finishes up the month of March with a great set of articles on translation and globalization, more valuable recaps from WritersUA 2012, and some interesting news items (well, on the news front it was more like a lamb, but we figure it’s end of quarter quiet period for lots of companies.) Read more of this technical writing article »
Whew, TechWhirl has just about finished up a pretty hectic week, with great new content on translation topics, summaries of sessions at WritersUA, and all kinds of technical communications news. We’re thrilled that we got to interview Tom Aldous and talk tech comm and Adobe. And we’re grateful to Dorothee Racette president of the American Translators Association for her overview of Ten Steps to Successful Translation Projects. Keith Soltys provided some really practical tips on managing FrameMaker and ePublisher when doing translation, and Ashley Brown, Lauren Hart and Julie Grady have been giving us the insiders’ view on user assistance as presented at WritersUA. Read more of this technical writing article »