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Tech Writer Today’s Integrated Technical Communications column is sponsored by Adobe Systems, Inc. Download a 30-day free trial of Adobe FrameMaker 11 here.
Another busy year comes to a close here at TechWhirl. The members of our Special Writers Group have a simple job description: write stories that matter to technical communicators, whether they read the discussion list or are otherwise occupied. The most popular TechWhirl technical communication articles of the year reveal a readership interested in both the big picture and the more practical. Continue reading ...
Technical communications overlaps with all the other fields involved in the software development lifecycle and often our job objectives dovetail with the business analysts, interaction designers, software architects, product managers, marketing specialists, and so on. Integrated Technical Communications (ITC) defines an approach that supports the business side as well as the technical side of product development. Professionals focused on these disciplines can create ITC Mall Maps to increase visibility to key audiences and demonstrate strategic value to the organization. Continue reading ...
There is little doubt that technical communications is in crisis.Tech Comm 2.0 is what we have now, the result of a profound change in technical communications doctrine that occurred in the 80s and 90s. What we need now is a new doctrine of technical communications, a Tech Comm 3.0. The old tech comm doctrine is publication-based, but most technical communication taking place today is conversation-based. Not only does this affect the way tech comm should think about mechanical purity, it should also change the way it thinks about project scope. Continue reading ...
A highly regarded content development consultant, Joe Gollner, the Content Philosopher, uses his wide-ranging experience and interests to inform his insight into the current challenges and future opportunities presented to technical communications by the content revolution. TechWhirl met with Joe during LavaCon 2011 to discuss the role of technical communications in enterprise content strategy. Continue reading ...
Predictions of world-ending cataclysms notwithstanding, 2012 is likely to be a year of massive change for technical communications. TechWhirl’s look at trends impacting technical communications in 2012 is a somewhat unscientific estimation on the direction of our profession. It was compiled by an exhaustive review of the TechWr-L email discussion list, other forums, relevant blogs and presentations by thought leaders from around the world lightly seasoned with the experience of the editorial team. Continue reading ...
It’s time for us to apply a more integrated thinking to our views and the resulting activities so not only can we be more effective, but also provide a better experience for the users of our information. In this article we propose the strategic idea of Integrated Technical Communications. We invite you to read it and let us know your thoughts. Sponsored by Adobe Systems Inc. Continue reading ...