The DITA 2.0 major version represents an opportunity for major architectural revisions to the DITA standard. Numerous internal improvements are not directly visible to end users, but the hotly debated and contested
A is for Acrobat: The Tech Writer’s Cursory Rhyme
Yehoshua Paul recently tried his hand at developing a rhyming song in the fine tradition of teaching the English alpahabet to children. If your workplace often seems like a pre-school nursery with brats, cherubs, crybabies and rugrats, you can probably relate. Continue reading ...
Best How-to Instructions Yet: How to Cook a Turkey
Because die hard technical communicators can appreciate good instructions no matter what the holiday... Great how-to instructions on cooking a turkey are especially relevant to US technical writers as we begin the holiday season with American Thanksgiving. Continue reading ...
Zombies in the Boardroom
David wasn’t going to let the zombies take him without a fight. Gathering his nerve, he kicked open the conference room door, and dove into the gloom. Continue reading ...
A Tale from the Content Management Crypt
Like all good horror stories, this one starts with a group of normal people engaging in a convivial discussion—one full of optimism and hope. It began as an online discussion about how all content management investments generate some good. But, “The Perfect CMS Failure” could strike fear into the most optimistic content professional's heart. Continue reading ...
Monster: A Halloween Horror Story
A group of misfit geeks are harassed in high school to a point they are ready to take a stand and get back some of their dignity. Their plans are to become hideous monsters and take out their revenge on their classmates at this year’s Halloween party. But can they make the transformation back or will they be monsters forever? Continue reading ...
Hitchhikers’ Guide to Technical Communications Conferences
In honor of the late Douglas Adams who authored the greatest user documentation between here and the end of the universe, we present: The Hitchhikers Guide to Technical Communications Conferences. Continue reading ...
From the Sidelines on Living on the Edge at Startups
What matters is that, irresponsible heavy metal chick that I am, I quit my marcom job and went to work for a tiny open source startup as an information architect. I wear jeans to work every day, I telecommute whenever I feel like it, and I am working on a project right now with my ex- boyfriend! Continue reading ...
From the Sidelines on Being a Tech Comm Newbie and Respect
It was a long time ago, I'll be the first to admit, but I was a newbie once, too. A fresh-faced innocent to technical writing, wide-eyed and fairly glowing with charming naivete. Well, I like to think that now, only because it makes it so much easier, but I suppose that wasn't really true for me any more than it is for anyone. As a matter of fact, by the time I got my first tech writing job, I was already jaded and vaguely misanthropic ... Continue reading ...