Technical Writing - Tech Writer Today Magazine

TechWhirl: Technical Communication Recap for May 18, 2012

Written by TechWhirl on May 18, 2012 · Start the Discussion

The preparations for attending a technical communication event such as the STC Summit are always exciting—akin to the two-weeks-after-code-freeze-write-the-whole-user-manual exciting. TechWhirl will be there, as an exhibitor (stop by booth 115), as Lightning Talk participants (We’re scheduled on Wednesday), and providers of an STC Summit Pinterest Board and Storify wrapup (publishes next week). So while Twitter posts abound with notices about upcoming seminars, meetups, and departure announcements for those already heading to Chicago, Al and Connie are wrapping the normal week’s activities and just getting around to packing. Read more of this technical writing article »

Alternatives to Face-to-face Technical Communication Conferences

Written by Laurie Johnson on May 17, 2012 · Start the Discussion

Few can dispute the benefits of attending a professional conference. Whether you attend the STC annual conference, WritersUA, LavaCon, SIGDOC, IPCC, or one of the numerous other technical communication-oriented meetings, you attend for the opportunities--to sharpen your current skills, learn new skills, catch up with tool and technology trends, pick the brains of leaders in the field, and network, network, network. Let’s take a look at four lower-cost options that can provide many of the same benefits: webinars, virtual conferences, unconferences, and twitter chats. Read more of this technical writing article »

Tech Writer This Week for May 17, 2012

Written by Craig Cardimon on May 17, 2012 · Start the Discussion

TechWhirl's Weekly Roundup of the best technical communications and technical writing posts on the web covers findability, content strategy, usability testing tips, cool apps, the dangers inherent in the perceptions of tech comm, and a narrative on exploring new paths in life. Read more of this technical writing article »

Interesting Times: Challenges and Opportunities for Technical Communication

Written by Al Martine on May 16, 2012 · Start the Discussion

During a talk with Alan Houser, the incoming President for the Society for Technical Communication (STC), we touched on his background, company, work in the STC, and his plans for the upcoming year. Alan talked about the Chinese proverb or the Chinese curse, which says “may you live in interesting times,” and how the current economic turmoil is impacting friends, colleagues and relatives. His vision for the STC in the coming year includes "working to assist our members while we leverage what I think is the most exciting time in the history of this profession." Read more of this technical writing article »

Crowdsourcing: The New Black?

Written by Tony Chung on May 15, 2012 · 2 Comments

What’s in a name? To some, the specifics of a name mean absolutely nothing. To others, that same name means absolutely everything. While some believe as Shakespeare wrote: "...a rose by any other name, its smell is sweet...", Technical Writers in general are more attached to their chosen terms. Today's term is "Crowdsourcing." What is it? What is its relevance to technical communication today? And, the bigger question: Why does my iPhone insist on Capitalizing the C? Read more of this technical writing article »

Technical Writing Poll: Best TV Shows Set in Chicago

Written by TechWhirl on May 14, 2012 · 2 Comments

If you enjoyed last week's poll, or tend to indulge in the couch potato forms of recreation when not doing technical writing chores, then you should be ecstatic about this week's technical writing poll. We know that there were loads of great movies set in Chicago, now it's time for you to vote on the wonders of the small screen. Read more of this technical writing article »