Here at TechWhirl, we pride ourselves on providing a well-rounded, nicely balanced, entertaining and informative mix of articles and commentary on all things tech comm. Our theme in January is really a double theme: Ready for 2013? Predictions and Focus on Education. And this week we offer a little of both, and then some. We asked you for some predictions for 2013 via our weekly technical communication poll question on emerging technology and the impacts on tech comm. And Jacquie Samuels offered some guidance from both the student and instructor points of view with her tips and tricks on choosing an online tech comm certificate program. Our “then some” refers to a great interview with Brenda Huettner on accessibility, conducted by technical communication student and SWU member Samantha Miranda.
Add to that a Tech Writer This Week curated post full of all sorts of tech comm, content strategy and user experience goodness, and we say “mission accomplished.” At least until next week, when we get to do it all over again. After you’re done cruising around the magazine, mosey on over to the email discussion list where you can get a well-rounded, often balanced, always entertaining and amazingly useful mix of discussions on tools, techniques, job hunting tactics and more. And don’t forget to check out the current crop of openings on jobs.techwhirl.com. All in all you can look forward to some quiet time this weekend with all that your technical communication friends and allies can offer.
Enjoy!
-The gang at TechWhirl
 |
Tech Writer This Week for January 10, 2013 Most of us are back at work after some well-deserved time off, while January 2013 marches boldly forward with fresh technical communication, user experience, and content strategy opinion and commentary |
 |
Tips and Tricks: What To Look for in an Online Tech Comm Program As both a student and a teacher, I’ve had the opportunity to sample a variety of online learning experiences. While online programs are tremendously useful (save time and money for starters), you could find yourself sacrificing other key elements (like quality of learning content and social interaction) that can make a difference in the long run. If you have determined that an online course is the right move for you, how can you make sure you don’t enroll in a bad program, and can enroll in a good one? Use this list of key elements as a guide when you’re shopping |
 |
Technical Communication Poll: Impact of Emerging Technology One of the best job titles I ever encountered is that of “Visual Futurist,” which I first saw in the credits of the movie 2010: The Year We Make Contact. Visualizing a future, with a whole array of products and technology, and bringing them to life sometimes seems like the technical communicator’s ultimate dream. So what happens now that the future is here? l. |
 |
Interview with Brenda Huettner: What Every Technical Communicator Should Know About Accessibility For technical communicators, accessibility is a topic that appeals to the principles of professionalism, quality, and legality. In a storied career that includes web design, technical writing, usability and accessibility consulting, Brenda Huettner constantly focuses on a central tenet—advocating for the user. Her experience in usability and accessibility gives her a unique perspective on developing content for users. |
Technical Communication news:
Social Media and the Chance to Follow TechWhirl:
- Our Google Plus Page – what’s happening behind the scenes | http://goo.gl/SO0R4
- Will you be our Friend? Please, you know you want to click | http://goo.gl/tDrW7
- Want all this TechWhirl goodness a few characters @ a time | http://goo.gl/itjDg
- Updates from TechWhirl delivered to your email in box | http://bit.ly/tjshxU
- Or, try our RSS feed (great on Flipboard) | http://goo.gl/msLzu
SPONSOR-Luv
We want to send a very special “thank you” to our sponsors for their support.
Platinum: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Gold: ComponentOne Software,Madcap Software
Silver: Vancouver Island University
