Re: [TCP] Technical writing and tools
And doesn't it all boil down to choices? If there was only one tool, that vendor would have a monopoly. Business diversity dictates innovation, doesn't it? If there is no competition, would we even have the options we have now to be creative in what we do? ...sue __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if
I'd actually rewrite it to If you get a warning message, select the statement cache size. That way users don't do something without reading the text. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: raj nair raj_gree...@hotmail.com Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:26:40 To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if It is well-known that a comma is used if an if clause is at the beginning of a sentence. Is there a rule, an exception, where the reverse is true? For example, can this punctuation be right? Select the statement cache size, if you get a warning mesaage. Please share your thoughts. _ The world in moving pictures http://news.in.msn.com/gallery/archive.aspx __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Is technical writing worth the hype and pain?
I took my first real vacation in five years this year (I went to Maui with a friend). Totally needed that vacation, but work was still hectic when I got back. Then I took off 10 days during the holidays, and I'm actually feeling a bit more rejuvenated. Work is still going to be crazy busy, but I'd rather be busy than the alternative! I know I work long hours, but I do get recognized for it. I take the time off when I feel like I'm getting burned out (I'll drop my hours to 9 a day for a week just to chill a bit). But I love what I do, love the company for whom I work and the people with whom I work, and feel validated and respected every day that I am at work. While work doesn't completely define who I am, it is an important part of me. If I didn't like what I was doing I sure as heck wouldn't have spent 20 years in this career, nor would I be in the position I'm in. I'm sure my attitude goes a long way... it's not just the cookies I occasionally bring in that make people glad to see me visit the office!! :) ...sue On Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 8:07 AM, Jones, Donna djo...@zebra.com wrote: I was feeling pretty burned out myself and starting to wonder if this is really what I want to be when I grow up. I just took off a blissful two weeks over the holidays for the first time in 6-1/2 years. That helped tremendously! What I needed was down time, not a change in careers. I still love my job, and I'm still good at it (I think!). I need to remind myself to get out of this computer chair more often in the evenings and on weekends. Otherwise, my office area starts feeling like a prison cell. My job as a technical writer provides me with a good living. It's time to start living! - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Is technical writing worth the hype and pain?
Otherwise known as the Jewish biscotti. See http://www.cookies-in-motion.com/Mandelbrot-Cookies.html. (I grew up on mandelbrot cookies... before I ever learned what a biscotti was!) ...sue On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 4:14 PM, Dana Worley d...@campbellsci.com wrote: On Monday, January 04, 2010, Jack DeLand wrote: Well, I introduced my company to the wonders of mandelbrot at Hanukah. Their response: Yummy! You guys are either really nerdy or cannibals ;) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandelbrot_set Perhaps there's another definition? :) Dana W. *** Dana Worley Software Product Manager/Manager, Software Support Group Campbell Scientific, Inc. Microsoft MVP, Windows Help www.jestersbaubles.etsy.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Is technical writing worth the hype and pain?
I'm a little late to the party but... I firmly believe that you get what you pay for. And that goes for the career, too. If you walk around with a chip on your shoulder, people will respond that way. I *will* say that it's been years and years since I've worked in a company where what I do was not valued. I'm a very integral part of the teams that make up our software development group, and even outside the software group. Many of the other groups ask me for information, just as I do them. I rarely if ever feel as if I'm the least common denominator. In fact, more often, I know more of the overall picture than many others, since I'm a bit of a hub with QA, Dev, PM, FE, and so on. I also never feel as if the fact that I am not a programmer is a detriment. I'm a professional in my own chosen field, and I'm well respected within my organization. I would suggest that you work on gaining the respect of others, rather than pulling the woe is me thing. Finally, I consider what I do as a writer and online help author as a career. This is NOT just a job. This is something I love to do and just so happens to be something I'm good at. If you consider being a technical writer as just a job, maybe you are in the wrong career? (Sorry if this is blunt, but really, if you aren't getting the respect you need, maybe it's something that you need to change?) ...sue On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 10:27 PM, raj nair raj_gree...@hotmail.com wrote: At times, I wonder why technical writers are the least common denominators in a software company. For example, if I submit a document for review, people schedule it for the last few hours of a business day. This amply explains the 'importance' given to that task. Moreover, I have to work with arrogant developers, testers, SMEs, and managers, who don't care a damn about the information needs of technical writers. There is also an absurd level of technical apartheid that at times gives a really wretched feeling. Since a majority of the technical writers have no programming background or releavant domain knowledge, people find it very easy to dismiss them as irrelevant irritants. Ultimately, the conclusion that I can arrive at is that this is a ridiculous and thankless job. Do you agree? Raj _ Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://windows.microsoft.com/shop __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Are you on Twitter?
I am @sue_sd. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: Paula R. Stern \(WritePoint\) pa...@writepoint.com Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 12:50:18 To: TCP@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] Are you on Twitter? I'd like to connect professionally with more of you. My Twitter name is @writepoint.com (personal one is @asoldiersmother). Please send me an email (or to the list if you believe others would like to share their twitter names) and I'll follow. Thanks Paula Regards, Paula Paula R. Stern WritePoint Ltd. www.writepoint.com http://www.writepoint.com/ Adobe Community Expert, RoboHelp MVP, RoboGURU Adobe Authorized Reseller Flare Certified Instructor/Reseller Techshoret List Owner/Moderator, MarcShoret List Owner/Moderator __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Are you on Twitter?
Paula, there are two writepoint twitter IDs... one is writepoint and one is writepointltd. Looks like the latter has followers but not many tweets while the former seems more active. Which is the one you want us to follow? ...sue On Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 2:50 AM, Paula R. Stern (WritePoint) pa...@writepoint.com wrote: I'd like to connect professionally with more of you. My Twitter name is @writepoint.com (personal one is @asoldiersmother). Please send me an email (or to the list if you believe others would like to share their twitter names) and I'll follow. Thanks Paula Regards, Paula Paula R. Stern WritePoint Ltd. www.writepoint.com http://www.writepoint.com/ Adobe Community Expert, RoboHelp MVP, RoboGURU Adobe Authorized Reseller Flare Certified Instructor/Reseller Techshoret List Owner/Moderator, MarcShoret List Owner/Moderator __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Word choice: Might or May?
And I tend to write even more directly. I'd say To aggravate the fintoozler, do this, :) ...sue On Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 10:14 AM, Chris Vickery [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am trying to think of an instance where I've used might, and I think I've avoided it precisely because it trips me up, making me question whether it's the right choice of words. I tend to use this construction: If you wish to aggravate the fintoozler, you can... instead of You might wish to aggravate the fintoozler... The latter seems kind of flabby and weak to me. Chris -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Charles Beck Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 7:19 AM To: TCP@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Word choice: Might or May? Kevin actually makes the point I was about to. I was not talking about a situation in which something 'might' happen. Even if I'm not sure that things are going to work the way they're supposed to in reality, I always say something happens. [And note that I also do not say will happen-more or less personal preference, but I almost never use future tense either, if I can possibly avoid it.] I use the word might to tell the user that it is something optional, usually. The user might or might NOT want to do whatever it is. IOW, we're exploring options. This is often content that is included in a Tip. I use the word can to tell the user that it is something they can do. Again, usually something optional, though the emphasis in this kind of case is to let the user know that it is *possible* to do something. And I will risk arousing ire by reiterating that I cannot think of a single instance in which one of these two words, in telling a user that something can be done, is not preferable to the word may. Good discussion here. Chuck -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of McLauchlan, Kevin Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 09:50 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Sharon Burton; John Bell; TCP@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Word choice: Might or May? I disagree with Sharon and Paula completely... OK, no I don't. I just wanted to say that. Unless I was being sarcastic, which is rarely good in a technical document, I would not tell the reader that if s/he performed some action then some result might happen. In the past, I actually have threatened to do that in internal discussions with developers and their managers when they were being too iffy about this or that issue... but I've never gone through with it. (Yes, I'm a big chicken, but it happens that the offenders saw the error of their ways and didn't call me on it. :-) However, in situations where there are several optional choices that the reader can make, and various scenarios - perhaps some known and others not necessarily known - I choose might. Depending on your organization's security policies and regulatory environment, you might need | wish to invoke function X. That's the situation about which John B was asking in his original post. I wouldn't use may, because the reader is being given non-binding suggestions or told of possibilities that they might like to explore... not being given permission. Once they own our product, they don't need permission. Now, may I please leave the room? Cheers, - Kevin -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Paula R. Stern (WritePoint) Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 1:32 PM To: 'Sharon Burton'; 'John Bell'; TCP@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Word choice: Might or May? I agree with Sharon completely. Might makes me wonder if it is going to happen as expected or not. Click on the window and it might open...gee, that doesn't work for me at all. May is acceptable, though I prefer can whenever/wherever possible. My absolute favorite came from an Israeli engineer who gave me a document and asked me to edit it. He wrote the user shall. I wrote him back and said - God shall...the rest of us can... Paula -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sharon Burton Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 6:15 PM To: John Bell; TCP@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Word choice: Might or May? How about You can also... I avoid may or might, as may can imply permission. Might can imply it could happen but we really aren't sure. Call us if it does because we never actually got it to work reliably. We'd love to know what you did to make it work. ;-) sharon Sharon Burton Product Manager MadCap Software [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Cell: 951-202-0813 Home Office: 951-369-8590 http://madcapsoftware.wordpress.com/ http://madcapsoftware.wordpress.com/ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of John Bell Sent: Fri
Re: [TCP] Physical fitness and technical communication
Hate to say this, but I'm exactly the same size as when I started this career 20 years ago. I weigh a couple pounds more, but that is more likely attributed to age rather than job. I'm also slightly less active lately (mostly due to surgery) but that will change in the (hopefully) not too distant future. Some things that may make a difference... I live in an urban area and my neighborhood is very walkable. So I walk to the grocery store a couple of times a week (sort of doing the European thing by shopping for what you need when you need it, so it's fresh). Many other errands are walked (Starbucks, hardware store, pharmacy, and so on). I'm also a vegetarian and by nature eat healthy (rarely anything fried; my only real vice is chocolate) and rarely drink. I work well over 10 hours a day, sometimes more like 12. I think it's the lifestyle that is sedentary, not the career. :) ...sue On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 7:00 AM, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Has anyone else watched their posterior expand as their career advanced? After many years of sitting on my backside at my computer as a technical writer and editor, I had to admit that using a mouse, typing, and pushing buttons on the printer that I was documenting wasn't enough exercise to keep me healthy. Obviously, any office-type job keeps you idle for the better part of the work day, and it can be easy to move from the computer, to your car, to your sofa, and then to bed every day. What ways (if any) do you use to keep yourself healthy while continuing to pursue your communication dreams (or nightmares...)? About six weeks ago, one of my coworkers and I started holding each other accountable for having exercised the day before. I find myself consistently doing something--even if it's just a quick 15- or 20-minute walk--just so I don't have to tell her that I did nothing. And our enthusiasm for getting physically fit appears to be contagious because another of our coworkers has started joining us if we go for walks at lunch. I know this is a little bit of a stretch regarding communication, but it's something directly related to our careers and our health. Are we all destined to be huge and unfit by the time we retire (or die of some avoidable disease), or is there hope for getting and staying healthy? Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ ComponentOne#174; Doc-To-Help#174; 2008 delivers streamlined authoring features, including new end-user features, all within the brand new Microsoft Office 2007 style interface. Download your FREE trial! http://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne#174; Doc-To-Help#174; 2008 delivers streamlined authoring features, including new end-user features, all within the brand new Microsoft Office 2007 style interface. Download your FREE trial! http://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] [stclwrsig-l] Justifying STC
Therein lies the problem... I've seen far too many chapter presidents do it for yourself. The local chapter here has lost members. Several years ago we had over 300 members and used to get something like 60-70 members at dinner meetings. Now, there is about half that number in membership and considerably less than half the number attend meetings. If you could joni locally withoiut having to join the national organization, I'd reconsider. But I don't have a local chapter that I'd want to join anyways, so I guess it's a moot point. ...sue On 3/21/08, John Posada [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Then let's look at it from a different perspective...it is in your chapter's best interest that you join. Aside from the rebate, every chapter officer takes pride in their chapter and is proud when it grows. If you aren't doing it for yourself, do it for your chapter, which, as you say,is giving you everything you need from the association. If everyone felt the way you do, your chapter would be dissolved. On 3/20/08, Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You can still receive almost all benefits that a chapter provides without having to belong to the organization. There is a huge difference between joining STC, the org, and attending local chapter events. BTW, when I was active in my local chapter, we had almost everything you've mentioned except for the second meeting of the month. And when I was VP of membership, I did contact those who were late to renew to remind them (and to find out why, if they weren't). I'd bet the reasons then (several years ago) and the reasons now are still much the same... not enough value for the money. While $175 isn't a lot of money, it IS a lot of money if you don't get anything for it.Or perceive you don't. Which is much the same thing. ...sue John Posada Senior Technical Writer NYMetro STC President and Program Chair - Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor Make me one with everything. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] [stclwrsig-l] Justifying STC
You can still receive almost all benefits that a chapter provides without having to belong to the organization. There is a huge difference between joining STC, the org, and attending local chapter events. BTW, when I was active in my local chapter, we had almost everything you've mentioned except for the second meeting of the month. And when I was VP of membership, I did contact those who were late to renew to remind them (and to find out why, if they weren't). I'd bet the reasons then (several years ago) and the reasons now are still much the same... not enough value for the money. While $175 isn't a lot of money, it IS a lot of money if you don't get anything for it.Or perceive you don't. Which is much the same thing. ...sue On 3/19/08, John Posada [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Suzette...first, I'm biased. I'm the president of the NYMetro STC chapter, with about 360 members. My position has been that you should not have to decide. If you cannot, or if you are on the fence, your chapter has failed you. I happen to have two volunteers who at this very moment are calling through the list of 2007 members who have not yet renewed. They are calling for two reasons; to remind them that they haven't and if it only takes a reminder, the call ends. However, if they have made a decision not to, we want to know why. In addition, over the last few months, I've anticipated this delema and have specificaly upgraded a number of things we do at the chapter level to earn the renewal. Something must be working, we're currently second in our category on renewal rate. We've doubled the number of monthly chapter meetings (we do two meeting programs per month). We upgraqded our newsletter from four pages to 12-14 pages We upgraded our speakers (Hackos, Gribbons, etc) We've added email job lists. We've started SIG meetings We've brought vendor demos to our monthly meetings We've added some workshops (this month we have one on API/SDK) We've reached out to other associations in releated fields (UPA, BIAA, etc) (other stuff) I don't take membership for granted. I want renewal to be a nobrainer. increased so dramatically, I need to look at it objectively. Other than the $25.00 is not dramatic On 3/19/08, Suzette Leeming [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I get more out of this list (and a couple of others) than I've ever gotten from STC. I like your point that I can always attend a meeting as a non-member. I'll keep that in mind. That's your chapter's fault. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Documentum
You don't use Framemaker WITH Documentum, per se You use Framemaker to create the documents and then use Documentum to manage 'em within a workflow. So It depends on what you are doing with the content that is in Documentum. If everyone within the workflow has Framemaker, and no one will ever need to see the docs who doesn't, then yeah, you can use FM to create docs to be managed by Documentum. From my experience, people don't use Documentum as a version control program but instead to manage workflow (create a doc, send it for review, edit a doc, and so on). In this case, it's possibly not all stakeholders will have access to Framemaker and therefore the workflow will break. In the very large organization where I used Documentum, all documents that were managed were Word or PDF. ...sue On 2/27/08, Lisa Gielczyk (TCP) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It's looking like we're going to be implementing Documentum here, and I'd like to know if FrameMaker is a good program to use with it. Do any of you have experience with Documentum? If you do, what do you use with it (e.g., FrameMaker, Word)? Thanks! Lisa G. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] ArborText Question
and how does your management type think content will get IN to ArbortText? ...sue P.S. Please do not cross post to multiple lists. On 1/25/08, gabyer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One of our management types here seems to think that ArborText will replace technical writers. Comments or thoughts from you ArborText users? __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Document Control Systems tcp@techcommpros.com
None of those three are document control systems. They are source or version control systems and are completely different. Document control systems include systems such as Documentum and Vasont. On 1/22/08, Ed Marshall [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Lisa, Good luck also! I've used Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, Perforce, and Subversion (SVN) / TortoiseSVN. I always recommend Perforce to clients. Among it's strengths: It's excellent for large, geographically disparate groups. Tech support is excellent. Powerful diffing tool. Can use 3rd-party diffing tools. Beyond Compare is excellent. I couldn't do my work without it. Uses a 2-phase commit model, either all files go in or none. Very safe to put files in over dialup. By default, multiple users can edit a file at a time (but you can specify single user editing). Runs on Windows, many flavors of Unix, Linux, and Macintosh. Seems to have a longer learning curve than VSS. (Some terms are non-intuitive.) www.perforce.com. End-user licenses used to start at $750, volume discounts are available. Fully-functional 2-user licenses are a free download.It's bulletproof. Visual SourceSafe: Standard Windows GUI design, with drag drop capability. Powerful diffing tool. VSS 2005 allows you to specify a third-party diffing tool. By default, only a single user can edit a file at a time. Runs on Windows but can store Unix files in it. 3rd-party Unix and Macintosh versions are available. Comes bundled with Microsoft Visual Studio. Risky to check-in over dialup, can have partial checkins. http://msdn.microsoft.com/ssafe/prodinfo/ Retail price was $549. Volume discounts are available. Note restriction of 12GB for VSS databases, impacts doc heavily for graphics. Subversion / TortoiseSVN are open source tools used by several of my clients. Seems to work ok for them. Whatever, you choose, I'd suggest creating a sandbox with your documents and let people play for a month before making your system live so they get used to the tool and don't shoot themselves in the foot. Disclaimer, I give talks on using file management systems effectively and offer best practices that you won't find in any help system to help you avoid that almost universal boo-boo of overwriting your work while using these tools (somewhat like clicking OK to a Format C question.) Ed -- Message: 5 Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:40:32 -0600 From: Lisa Gielczyk (TCP) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [TCP] Document Control Systems To: email tcp@techcommpros.com Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hello, Thanks for all the well-wishes I received yesterday! First day on the new job, and I already have a question for you all. :) I'm wondering if any of you have used a document control system, what your experiences were, and what you would recommend. They are investigating document control systems, and hope to choose one by June for a late 2008 implementation. I'm not directly involved in the choice and don't know what their requirements are (While I'm here, my job will be staging the docs that will be put into the doc control system), but they are open to any suggestions I am able to make. Thanks, and happy Tuesday, Lisa G. End of TCP Digest, Vol 17, Issue 13 *** -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.9/1237 - Release Date: 1/22/2008 11:04 AM __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info:
Re: [TCP] California Association of Teachers of English
And this has to do with technical communication how? I'm confused. On 1/8/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I agree. That is why this program has incentive for personal writing and story development practice outside of the classroom environment. Students want an answer to Why do I need to learn this ___. The program is suitable to all grad levels, but it is best instituted in grades 3-4. The goal is to create a daily writing habit through journaling and writing exploration exercises that the? student use to explore and explain their world to others. We're closing the missing link between theory and practice. Teresa Trujillo Book Workshop/Mighty Designs 1501 E. Orangethorpe Avenue Suite 130 Fullerton, California 92831 Phone (714) 525-0882 Fax (714) 879-7156 Cell (714) 926-8343 -Original Message- From: Gene Kim-Eng [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; tcp@techcommpros.com; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 2:56 pm Subject: Re: [TCP] California Association of Teachers of English I have my doubts as to whether falling comprehension? is really the result of classroom teaching methods.? You can teach people to read (decode) in class, but? comprehension is the result of actually using what? one learns in class to read after one has gone home? for the day, and there's not much comprehension to? be gotten from spending all of that time with TV and? video games.? ? Gene Kim-Eng? ? - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]? Current teaching methods have raised reading scores (decoding) but lowered writing and comprehension test (encoding) scores over the last few years. This has actually caused overall literacy rates to drop.? ? More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Technical Writer blog
Please do not cross-post by including other lists email addresses. If you must cross-post, please create a new email for each address. (This has been requested here before.) Thanks. ...sue On 1/4/08, Cardimon, Craig [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Something I came across in my travels that I thought I would share with you folks: http://www.infinitediversity.com.au/techwriter/archives/category/tech-wr iter/ This has been cross-posted. -- Craig __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Cross posting and duplicate messages
Are you sure you're not subbed on to that other list? At any rate, I'd contact the list owner of that other list or check to see what steps you can take to unsub. Good luck! :) ...sue On 1/4/08, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Since Sue brought up the topic of cross-posting, I have a question to ask. I am not subscribed to the other tech writing list, but when someone on TCP cross-posts to it, I get two identical copies of the message. There was a discussion last week that led to a barrage of duplicates in my inbox. Any ideas why this occurs or how to make it stop? Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Refugees (was Re: New User Introduction)
Well, maybe. Except, I hate blogs and rarely, if ever, read 'em. If it's OK for a blog, why is it not OK for a discussion list? ...sue On 1/4/08, Lisa Gielczyk (TCP ADMIN) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is the kind of stuff that needs to go in the blogs on the site, not on the list. Would one of the people from the Lone Writers list be willing to start a blog and put this information there, and then refer the list members to the blog? Thanks, Lisa G. On Jan 4, 2008 11:32 AM, Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: OK, I'm curious... What's going on? This is not the first we've seen of folks coming here from STC lately (in one form or another). Are you all not renewing your memberships? Why? I'm a bad example, since I've not renewed in the past 2 years, but I thought things were improving? Or heading that way? If there's this big giant exodus, then apparently either it's not improved, or something else has happened? Curious minds (and kitty kats) wanna know... :) ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Refugees (was Re: New User Introduction)
Resending, since it didn't appear this went thru... Odd. On 1/4/08, Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: OK, I'm curious... What's going on? This is not the first we've seen of folks coming here from STC lately (in one form or another). Are you all not renewing your memberships? Why? I'm a bad example, since I've not renewed in the past 2 years, but I thought things were improving? Or heading that way? If there's this big giant exodus, then apparently either it's not improved, or something else has happened? Curious minds (and kitty kats) wanna know... :) ...sue On 1/4/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm another STC Lone Writer refugee. snip __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Documentation Delivery: Print or CD?
What Dan said. Plus... shouldn't this survey be sent to your users? We are not your users. We don't know whether your product is hardware, software, or a combination of both. So, ultimately, what WE prefer is pretty much irrelevant, yes? Do you not have a core group of users you can survey? Or an advisory council, group of beta testers, or whatever? They are the ones who likely will provide more appropriate feedback. ...sue On 11/29/07, Dan Goldstein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Brenda, Could you expand the survey questions to allow for other means of electronic document delivery? Some companies (not ours) deliver documents via Web sites and e-mails. Thanks, Dan -Original Message- From: bphuettner Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 11:28 AM To: TCP@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] Documentation Delivery: Print or CD? I know that many of us have been struggling with this question for a while, but I'd like to find out what people are actually doing. Some people prefer print, others like the searchability of CD or other electronic means.? Would you mind taking a quick survey?? I'll be happy to share results - just leave your email in the last question. This message contains confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading, disseminating, distributing, copying, electronic storing or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message by mistake, please notify us, by replying to the sender, and delete the original message immediately thereafter. Thank you. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Documentation Delivery: Print or CD?
I've delivered quick start guides that I designed, created, and had printed (2/2, 11x17) for two companies in the past five years. But the last user's guides I had printed were in 2007!!! ...sue On 11/29/07, Susan Modlin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I develop docs for a SaaS (Software as a Service) company, so there's no choice be to deliver docs electronically via the Web. The last time I delivered printed docs was around 1999. ...Susan - Original Message I know that many of us have been struggling with this question for a while, but I'd like to find out what people are actually doing.? Some people prefer print, others like the searchability of CD or other electronic means.? Would you mind taking a quick survey?? I'll be happy to share results - just leave your email in the last question. Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports;_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Documentation Delivery: Print or CD?
sigh I hate deadlines. Mush brain. I meant 1997!!! TEN years ago!!! I'm looking at my portfolio samples in my bookcase now. 1997, not 2007. Although, I did remember something... we also printed a 20 page quick start guide (B/W saddle stitched), as well as an 11x17 quick start card at a company I worked at 2 years ago. And that 20 page document was printed in several languages. I have a background in working in print (from my ad agency days), and occasionally miss spec'ing out the docs, working with the printer, and so on. But not that much!!! :) ...sue On 11/29/07, Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've delivered quick start guides that I designed, created, and had printed (2/2, 11x17) for two companies in the past five years. But the last user's guides I had printed were in 2007!!! ...sue On 11/29/07, Susan Modlin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I develop docs for a SaaS (Software as a Service) company, so there's no choice be to deliver docs electronically via the Web. The last time I delivered printed docs was around 1999. ...Susan - Original Message I know that many of us have been struggling with this question for a while, but I'd like to find out what people are actually doing.? Some people prefer print, others like the searchability of CD or other electronic means.? Would you mind taking a quick survey?? I'll be happy to share results - just leave your email in the last question. Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports;_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email TCP@techcommpros.com . Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Personality types at work (was: Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences
Actually, you missed my point (and my a bit of an extrovert is actually, I'm an introvert but I work at being extroverted)... My personality type has nothing to do with how I work with people in the office. When I am in the office I make a point to walk around and say hello to people. I also make a point to respond to people (when I'm home) as quickly as possible. Working relationships are two-way streets and you have to cultivate the relationships and nurture them. That other writer? She's not shy, she just really doesn't make an effort. She, apparently, has never realized the value of befriending those you work with (although befriend is probably the wrong word). There are other things I do, to ensure that they like me, they really like me! For example, the QA folks were very helpful to me when I first started, and they continue to help me when I have a question (just as I help them). These are people who I really appreciate, and I just sent off a batch of homemade cookies to them with a note stating exactly that. My personality type has nothing to do with the success of my working remotely. The fact that I work at being visible even when I'm not physically there, and work at maintaining relationships when I am, does. ...sue On 11/27/07, McLauchlan, Kevin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The salient point that I got from your post is that you are a bit of an extrovert. In the context of relationships, pretty much all else that you said flows from that. If the other writer is a bit of an introvert and techy geek, then it probably doesn't even occur to her to come out on some imposed schedule (it would be imposed, not natural to her) and engage in uncomfortable banter about topics that she never thinks about _except_ when somebody else is trying to banter (sports, other people's babies, other people's pets, other people's vacation trips, gossip). snip __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences
Again, corporate environment plays a huge role in the success of this. I don't miss face time. I don't miss people at all. I'm on IM, email, phone calls, conference calls all day long. I don't even NOTICE that I'm not face to face with someone. When I am in the office, I do make a point of doing the rounds to say hi to most everyone (including those I may not work with often). But I disagree that face time is a worthwhile investment. It may be in the corporate culture in which YOU work, but it's not in the culture in which I work. I'm seen getting things done without having to be physically present. It takes a very specific type of person to successfully telecommute 100% of the time. Someone who works from home 2-3 days a week may not be successful at 100%. I just interviewed someone who works from home 2 days a week, and I don't think she'll be successful working remotely all of the time. ...sue On 11/21/07, Cardimon, Craig [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Understood and agreed. Sigh. Eventually, telecommuting won't be a privilege to be abused. It will be business as usual. THAT will be cool. Also, face-time counts, big-time. I make sure I am one of the first into the office every day. That helps when the guy who owns the place greets me by name in the morning in the hallway, and I return his greeting. I doubt this would happen if I worked from home. For one thing, I wouldn't be here to greet! Personally, I would go for maybe one day a week at home. But I just don't know. Telecommuting is cool and convenient. Face-time is a heavy worthwhile investment that requires your face to spend time in the office being seen getting things done. We have two opposing forces. I love the IDEA of telecommuting, but I'm still siding with face-time. Face-time has more muscle. -- Craig -Original Message- From: Charles Beck [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:17 PM To: Cardimon, Craig Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: RE: [TCP] Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences I'm not really sure why, to be honest. I don't believe it is for the reasons you posit. I don't *think* it is because he doesn't trust me to be working. He knows me better than that, I believe. I think it is more because the larger corporate culture discourages it. Although I work for a very progressive and forward-thinking company (in most respects), the corporate culture also shares this value. As I understand it, before we were acquired by the current parent company (I wasn't here yet), telecommuting was not only accepted, it was encouraged, to the point where the company had employees living literally all over the North American continent. Then when the current parent company acquired us, the corporate culture changed, and they no longer encourage telecommuting, preferring for the most part to use it only in case of emergency. And, if I have a good reason to work from home, be it health, bad weather, or family needs, he generally does not oppose it. He just doesn't want me to abuse the privilege, whatever that means to him-even if it's only not violating the official company line. That's just my guess, though. Someday I'll work up the courage to ask him more directly about it. In the meantime, I'm reasonably content, because I do understand the value of face-time and the serendipitous conversations around the microwave or coffee machine, both of which would not happen if I were telecommuting all the time. I really would only want to telecommute one or two days a week, to be perfectly honest. And it's certainly not worth jeopardizing a great working relationship. If he feels that way about it, it is no great burden for me to respect that and go with it. Chuck -Original Message- From: Cardimon, Craig [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 12:15 To: Charles Beck Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: RE: [TCP] Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences I knew this was true for me, but it's nice to know there is some formal research to prove it. Now, if I could just convince my manager. He's a really great manager, but he has this one tiny little flaw: He doesn't really like telecommuting. *sigh* The inquisitive part of me really wants to know why. If he has an MBA, the reason is clear enough. It's part of the education. If you can't see them working, you can't trust them to be working. Management vs. Employees. There's got to be a reason. Time to drag him into the 21st Century, or he will be the one left behind, when people begin leaving for jobs where they will be allowed to telecommute. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated
Re: [TCP] Interesting stuff for online help tools
All of the current versions of help authoring tools support Word 2007. RH won't work with a version of Word that was not released while the RH version was in maintenance mode. As I stated yesterday, RH use(d) DLLs to integrate fairly tightly with Word. If a new version of Word was released, then the current developer of RH needed to provide a patch to enable integration with that version of Word. Often, this patch would NOT be available for older versions of RH (IIRC, the current and one previous version only). ...sue On 11/20/07, John Hedtke [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: W/R/T the recent discussion here about RH2000 and would it do Word 2007 and then the (very surprising) recent statement that RH7 won't (which I'm looking into), I just discovered that there are live demos for MadCap Flare, Blaze, and Analyzer. Info's here: https://www.madcapsoftware.com/training/flaretraining.aspx https://www.madcapsoftware.com/training/flaretraining.aspx . I am fairly sure that Flare does Word 2007. Yours truly, John Hedtke Author/Consultant/Contract Writer www.hedtke.com -- website 541-685-5000 (office landline) 541-554-2189 (cell) [EMAIL PROTECTED] (primary email) [EMAIL PROTECTED] (secondary email) __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] (no subject)
IIRC, you can also just specify the section, choosing to print s1, s2, and so on. Without having to specify the exact page numbers... ...sue On 11/19/07, Char James-Tanny [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, Ken :-) How can I print ONLY pages 1 thru 8 (or anything less) without getting the Foreword (Roman numeralled) pages as well? You have to specify the section number, along with the page numbers. IIRC, the start page is p1s1-p8s1. Char James-Tanny ~ JTF Associates, Inc. ~ http://www.helpstuff.com -- Please send follow-up questions to the list. (Inquiries sent off-list may not be seen.) Contact me directly (CharJT at helpstuff dot com) with business inquiries. -- 2006-2007 Microsoft Help MVP Find a Help Authoring Tool at HAT-Matrix.com ~ http://hat-matrix.com Co-author of Managing Virtual Teams ~ http://www.wordware.com/wiki AuthorIT Certified Consultant, Development, and Training STC Secretary, 2006-2008 Web site Hosting and Design ~ http://www.jtfhosting.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Any fixes for RH 2000 with Word 2007 on XP?
I can't remember who owned RoboHelp 2000 (I think it was eHelp?), but they'd provided a patch to support whatever the current version of Word was released while RH 2000 was the latest version. The system requirements (assuming you received a box) should specify the version of Word that would work. There would not be a driver or interpreter available, since RH integrates so tightly with Word (using DLLs). And FWIW, there's no hassle having two versions of Word installed. If you end up launching the wrong version by double-clicking a file, simply create a Send To shortcut for each version of Word. Then just right-click the file, choose Send To, and then the version you want to use. ...sue On 11/18/07, Gary Robinson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thank you all for the information. Just for the record, I have used RoboHelp since version 3 and I knew what I was buying. I was just hoping some clever person had found a driver or interrepter that would save me the hassle of two version of MS Word on my system. Gary Robinson wrote: I've just scored a RH2000 off of eBay for next to no money. Unfortunately it refuses to run with my MS Word 2007 which I installed to serve a client. Does anyone know of a work around either using Word or OpenOffice or do I have to start looking for my MS Offfice 97? Regards, -- Gary G. Robinson Technical Communications Consultant email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ph: 734-426-5218 mobil: 734-775-9787 www.linkedin.com/in/ggrobinson __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Response from Adobe** RE: Upgrade Anger to Tech CommSuite.
The original poster has conveniently ignored those of us who've said that Adobe's new product announcements are subject to various SEC regulations. My interpretation was the original poster wanted to whine and then wanted something free for nothing. Yes, Adobe knew there was a new product suite coming out. But they couldn't legally make the announcement until the product was shipping. If you want to talk about ethics (see another thread on STC), what they did was, in fact, ethical and legal. I'm pretty appalled at the Adobe bashing going on here. If you don't like the company, you can put your money where your mouth is, and stop purchasing their products. There are other options. ...sue On 11/14/07, Mike Starr [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Michael... Unfortunately, you never addressed the original message... the original messages was that the sender purchased FM (I believe it was a full package, not an upgrade) and then about six or seven weeks later, you folks announced TCS. He called your company to try to get some consideration to get TCP for the difference in price between the FM full package and TCS and got no joy. His perspective was that your company knew about the impending release of TCS when he bought his FM license and that he effectively got a raw deal. I no longer have the original message but perhaps someone else can forward it to you. Mike -- Mike StarrWriteStarr Information Services Technical Writer - Online Help Developer -Website developer Graphic Designer-Desktop Publisher - MS Office Expert Phone: (262) 694-1028 - Tollfree: (877) 892-1028 - Fax:(262) 697-6334 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Web: http://www.writestarr.com - Original Message - From: Michael Hu [EMAIL PROTECTED] I haven't read all the responses on this topic but this is what I can tell you right now. If anyone owns ANY PREVIOUS VERSION of RoboHelp, FrameMaker or Captivate you are eligible for a $999 upgrade to the Suite (technically this is really a 'cross-grade'). Just so you are clear on pricing this is what TCS pricing looks like in comparison to other Adobe Suites. Please note that since this is version 1 of TCS, a true upgrade isn't available right now. Sometimes folks refer to an upgrade as an up-sell or cross-grade. Also, as Sue mentions below, since Adobe is a public company and we are international we need to adherea lot of SEC rules. This also applies to policies regarding pricing of upgrades and cross-grades. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Upgrade Anger to Tech Comm Suite.
When you purchase a car, you know that a new model year is going to be available somewhere around the October timeframe. If you purchase a car in September, that's the chance you take. Sometimes, as in Bill's case, you don't have a choice (when blonde bimbo totalled my car, I had to buy a car right then!). Framemaker 8 was released in July. The official announcement by Adobe was July 23. That was quite a long time between the FM release and the TCS release. As I said before, Adobe is bound by SEC rules and regulations regarding the announcement of releases. If you don't like the way they are required to do business, I'd suggest finding another tool or a vendor who is not a publicly traded company. They cannot announce a release during certain periods, and they (appear) to be following SEC guidelines correctly. ...sue On 11/13/07, Bill Swallow [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In the case of the car, it was an on-lot availability thing. I knew it was coming, but I couldn't get one when I needed one (was a need to purchase NOW, my old car is falling apart kind of thing). In the case of Adobe, they often don't announce things until a month prior to their actual (not target) ship date. This has been their model with FrameMaker for as long as I can remember them owning it. I'd be miffed as well if I couldn't get a recent buyer upgrade price for the TCS. FM8 didn't come out terribly long before the TCS, and we knew (well, I knew) that something was brewing since Adobe didn't release the FM FDK as they usually do when a new version FM ships. They were holding their cards close for the RH integration in the suite before folks like Quadralay and others could create a truly FM 8-compatible version of their competing products. I'd say that this alone would be something to watch in the future. If the FDK for the new version of FM is held up, my bet is on a pending upgrade to either the TCS or to RH specifically. If this is important to you, hold off on upgrading FM until you know what's what. On Nov 12, 2007 9:12 PM, Gene Kim-Eng [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you start reading automobile magazines 6-12 months before you intend to buy a car, you will usually know if another car is coming along to replace the current model well in advance, and often you'll see ads that say coming to your...dealer on Oct 1st. In fact, your... dealer will be holding end of year clearance sales on the old model long before the new one is set to arrive. Sales promotions are another thing. It's entirely possible to miss a sale (rebates, zero-percent financing, etc.) because you bought a few weeks too early. But you usually get a sporting chance at avoiding that by keeping an eye on the industry sales figures for the current month to help you guess whether the salespeople will be more or less hungry next month. Something you can't do for SW if sales figures are not publicly disclosed. If I paid $899 for one SW product and then discovered that if I'd waited a month or two I could have had a V8, er more SW, for $99 more, I'd be miffed. One way to reduce the chances of it happening is to never buy a new SW product terribly soon after it comes out. With Adobe and MS products, I usually don't touch them until I see at least the second service release come out. After my experience with an ongoing bug in Acrobat 7, I decided to only buy new Adobe SW during that period at the end of the product's lifecycle when they say buy now and get a free upgrade to our upcoming new version. -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical
Re: [TCP] OT Vent re: STC
Ack! I misspoke... I meant to say many of the leaders within the organization WERE more about furthering themselves than furthering technical writing (rather than are). As I said, I think things are changing. Have they changed enough? I dunno. Is there any benefit for me to belong to this organzation? I dunno. I can still go to local meetings, I can still attend conferences (neither of which I choose to do, but I could if I wanted to without having to be a member). FWIW, I was very active at a local and regional level. I was trying to effect change from the bottom up. It was a massive failure, at that time (three years ago). Maybe it wouldn't be now, but I just don't have the desire as I once did. Something about once bitten twice shy! :) ...sue On 11/12/07, John Hedtke [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At 07:35 AM 11/11/2007, Sue Heim wrote: Last I heard, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. And until any of us have walked in Paula's shoes, I think it's plenty disrespectful to discredit her opinion. Paula was very active in STC, and very vocal about her issues. But STC never listened. STC was very good about not listening in them days. It's why I became a Board member. They're better about listening now. My opinion? She's right... STC is not about furthering technical writing but is instead about furthering the organization. And although I think it's less so now, many of the leaders within the organization are more about furthering themselves than furthering technical writing. It's why I resigned my membership (specifically, as a direct result of the director-sponsor of my region). Although I do see some improvement, I don't see where being a member benefits me, as a longtime writer. So I've yet to re-up, and dunno if I will. The jury is still out. At any rate, my point is... I agree with Paula. Although it's her opinion, it's actually quite accurate. I think you've both put a great deal of thought into this and, given what you're saying here, I agree that the STC is definitely not the organization for you. Yours truly, John Hedtke Author/Consultant/Contract Writer www.hedtke.com -- website Region 7 Director, STC 541-685-5000 (office landline) 541-554-2189 (cell) [EMAIL PROTECTED] (primary email) [EMAIL PROTECTED] (secondary email) __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Does STC only care about itself?
Er, that hasn't changed in quite a few years, has it? Except for the total number of members (which has significantly decreased)... ...sue On 11/12/07, Milan Davidovic [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 11/12/07, John Posada [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My position is that they should promote the skills of technical writing to the people who use us. Here's what the Society leadership itself says on what STC is about: http://stc.org/about/ -- Milan Davidovic http://altmilan.blogspot.com http://stctorcomp.blogspot.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Does STC only care about itself?
I seem to recall something close to 25,000 On 11/12/07, Suzette Leeming [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: So, is the 14,000 current, and if so, what did the number used to be (approximately)? Suzette Leeming On 11/12/07, Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Er, that hasn't changed in quite a few years, has it? Except for the total number of members (which has significantly decreased)... ...sue On 11/12/07, Milan Davidovic [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 11/12/07, John Posada [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My position is that they should promote the skills of technical writing to the people who use us. Here's what the Society leadership itself says on what STC is about: http://stc.org/about/ -- Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail Need affordable web hosting? I recommend 1 1 - that's where I'm hosted! http://www.1and1.com/?k_id=6815038 __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Upgrade Anger to Tech Comm Suite.
Adobe is a publicly traded company. They cannot announce when a product is going to ship (the exact date) due to various regulations. For example, they cannot announce in August that a product is not going to ship until September. In fact, there's usually a moratorium on talking about releases during specific times in a quarter. Announcements such as this can affect revenues. Go check out the SEC regulations about product announcements for publicly traded companies.. That said, the difference between what you paid for FM (if you paid full price) and the upgrade is only $99. I'm not sure that's enuf to be so angry about. And seven weeks is actually quite a long period. To avoid this in the future, it may be better to establish a working relationship with a salesperson. That person cannot tell you to hold off ordering because something else is coming out in two months, but that person may be able to assist you with upgrades. Of course, this may not be possible if you are a single user. Nothing Adobe did is illegal or shady. Everything they did is by the books. ...sue On 11/7/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: P.S. It's generally not a great idea to cross-post to a bunch of lists as you did, because it means that many people who respond will get annoying junk messages from the lists to which they don't belong. You are correct, in my anger I wanted everyone to know, I will not to do this again, my apologies. Rick -Original Message- From: Art Campbell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:31 PM To: TEI Melanson, Richard Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; TCP@techcommpros.com; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Upgrade Anger to Tech Comm Suite. Well, 7-8 weeks is sort of in a grey area, I think. Adobe and most other vendors that I'm familiar with will give you at least a 30-day window; Adobe sometimes extends the window beyond that. However, I disagree that we all knew that Adobe knew when the Suite was shipping; if they actually had, they probably would have announced it when they shipped FM 8 in order to make a bigger splash. I suspect that the actual date and release info was dependent on other software packages' readiness, so I don't think you were a victim of a bait-and-switch. That said, since you ordered online, I think I'd look into what your credit card company can do for you if you're not satisfied with the product you purchased. Also, I'd ring Adobe back and insist on speaking with a supervisor in sales and work out an upgrade path... Art P.S. It's generally not a great idea to cross-post to a bunch of lists as you did, because it means that many people who respond will get annoying junk messages from the lists to which they don't belong. On Nov 6, 2007 5:10 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I just got off the phone with Adobe and I don't feel good about the answer I received. I purchased FrameMaker 8 seven or eight weeks ago. I got it pretty quickly after it was released. I paid the full online price and I downloaded the file from Adobe. Well, I just called and asked what could Adobe do for me as I want to purchase the Tech Comm Suite. Their answer was NOTHING. Now we all know that Adobe KNEW when I bought FrameMaker 8 that the Tech Comm suite was coming out, why did they make me spend all my money. For almost the same price as I purchased the FrameMaker 8 license, I could have purchased the entire suite if I waited a few weeks. I do have one of the qualifying products to get the upgrade price for the Tech Comm Suite. I just think this is bad business. anyone else have this issue or on the other side of the coin, do you guys think I am unrealistic to be upset. Thank you all for your thoughts. Rick ___ -- Art Campbell [EMAIL PROTECTED] ... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent and a redheaded girl. -- Richard Thompson No disclaimers apply. DoD 358 __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Upgrade Anger to Tech Comm Suite.
NOTE: I can't recall about this list, but cross-posting (the same post to multple addresses) is frowned on in various other places I hang. Particularly since I'm not a member of those other lists and cannot post there. On 11/6/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I just got off the phone with Adobe and I don't feel good about the answer I received. I purchased FrameMaker 8 seven or eight weeks ago. I got it pretty quickly after it was released. I paid the full online price and I downloaded the file from Adobe. Well, I just called and asked what could Adobe do for me as I want to purchase the Tech Comm Suite. Their answer was NOTHING. Now we all know that Adobe KNEW when I bought FrameMaker 8 that the Tech Comm suite was coming out, why did they make me spend all my money. For almost the same price as I purchased the FrameMaker 8 license, I could have purchased the entire suite if I waited a few weeks. I do have one of the qualifying products to get the upgrade price for the Tech Comm Suite. I just think this is bad business. anyone else have this issue or on the other side of the coin, do you guys think I am unrealistic to be upset. Thank you all for your thoughts. Rick __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] ADMIN Re: Postings on TCP are being archived by another service
I've received a couple of spam email messages in the last few days to my Gmail email. Since the ONLY list I use this address for is THIS list, and since I don't use it anywhere else, I'm wondering if that archive service is not the best thing for me. Has anyone else seen spam the past few days? ...sue On 10/16/07, Lisa Gielczyk (TCP ADMIN) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi everyone, The archive in question is not new; I set it up at the same time as I set up the TCP email list, last October. The reason I did it was as a service to members and non-members alike, so that they can search the archives of the list and find answers to questions. A closed archive would turn people away; an open archive draws them in, increases our membership, and provides more collective wisdom from which people can get help. If spam is a concern, you might consider using a different email address for email lists than you use for your regular email communication. Personally, I have not seen any increase in spam, and I have not heard anyone else say they have, either. Regarding having what you say available outside of the membership of the list, I've always maintained that you shouldn't say anything in email (on a list or otherwise) that you wouldn't want to see published in the newspaper. If you have a situation to discuss that you don't want your name associated with, like asking for suggestions how to deal with an unreasonable boss, whether or not you're being underpaid and should ask for a raise, how to work with an difficult co-worker, when to give it up and look for a different job, etc., posts can be made anonymously. The TCP list information page (http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com) has a link to the archive. I will change the Welcome message so that when people join the list, they know the archives are public. Rhonda and Sue, and anyone else sharing their concerns, I sincerely hope you will continue to post! If there are any other questions, please let me know. Warm regards, Lisa Gielczyk TCP Administrator __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Postings on TCP are being archived by another service
It's got less to do with my email address (as I do have specific email addys in use). It has more to do with someone archiving what I post and someone else being able to access what I've said. There are reasons I don't subscribe to techwhirler, and why I'm (generally!) very professional on the AuthorIT Yahoo group. All other lists I'm on are closed. Can't view posts unless you're a member. And membership is screened. ...sue On 10/16/07, Dan Goldstein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Both TECHWR-L and TCP have worse security than Yahoo lists, LISTSERV(r), etc. Having said that, there's no such thing as a truly private e-mail list. -- Dan Goldstein -Original Message- From: Sue Heim Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:38 AM To: Lisa Gielczyk (TCP ADMIN) Cc: email Subject: Re: [TCP] Postings on TCP are being archived by another service Can you please let us know if you set up an archive service? I do NOT want my email address available unless I provide it, and I really don't want what I've posted to a private list to be publicly searchable. And I'm guessing that anyone can search anywhere within mail- archive, yes? If that's the case, then I may have to reconsider posting here. Sadly... This message contains confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading, disseminating, distributing, copying, electronic storing or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message by mistake, please notify us, by replying to the sender, and delete the original message immediately thereafter. Thank you. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Help Systems
Note that I said IMPORT. I didn't say roundtrip! grin (And as a I hate Framemaker person, I would only ever import the files and then I would throw the source away and work in my new tool of choice! BIGGER grin) I was answering from my Blackberry this morning, so intentionally kept my response short. To the don't use a PDF as an online help system statement I made, if you want to question that, take a look at Adobe's own help systems. In the not too distant past, that was how they delivered online help for various apps such as Framemaker and Acrobat. They finally decided to change and provide real online help. Which is much more usable and user-friendly. (Technically, you should provide both an online help in whatever format is appropriate as well as a printed manual or PDF. And the two should not necessarily contain the same information.) If you are planning on single-sourcing your content and are going to be translating into several languages, I'd suggest that you take a look at AuthorIT. You can publish into whatever the Windows help format(s) you need, create a PDF, and single-source content. The Localization Manager allows you to easily manage translation jobs, by sending out only the updated content (once the entire thing has been localized). I have a personal preference for AuthorIT, but I also have a personal preference to keep the number of tools I use to create my deliverables down to a bare minimum (one!) and a very strong personal preference to not have to manually manage my translation jobs. But that's just me! grin ...sue On 10/9/07, David Castro [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 10/9/07, Sue Heim [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I highly recommend not using a pdf as an online help system. It is not what they are intended for. If you are using FM you can look at WWP to create help from that source. Look at www.help-matrix.com for a list of tools that may meet your reqs. Most tools can import FM source btw. Regarding the comment about most tools importing FrameMaker, as of a couple of years ago, only some of the tools were built to handle more than one-time imports of FrameMaker content. I was a beta tester for RoboHelp for FrameMaker, which was built to generate various online help formats from FrameMaker content. It was built to allow you to CONTINUE to use FrameMaker as your composing environment, and would convert your FM source files anew each time you generated your online help. WebWorks Publisher is built the same way. However, other tools (again, as of a couple of years ago) were built to do a one-time import, and updates needed to be made in the online help tool, itself. Forking your documentation source files (print in FM, web-based or online in another tool) is something that should be avoided when possible, and saved for very late in the process when it isn't. -- -David Castro [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Any good free web design software for sales manual?
As a side note, I would never EVER save a Word document as an HTML file and then attempt to do anything with it without first cleaning up the code. There are utilities out there that will strip the garbage tags that MSO inserts. That may actually be part of your import problem. Personally, I prefer Dreamweaver. I think you may find that you have better and more features using a tool that you pay money for, versus a freeware tool. You do sometimes get what you pay for, and if this is going to be your process going forward, it's a good investment to purchase the tool that does what you need. ...sue On 10/4/07, Tim Mantyla [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm still trying to determine if an intranet, with the manual designed as a web page, is a good spot for the sales manual... Still trying Flare, and it's having some issues importing If you know of any good free web design software I can use to publish an interactive sales manual, please post it! I just tried Blaze Composer 3.0 (Author's homepage is http://baliganikhil.googlepages.com/) and it would not import my Word doc converted to an .htm doc. Is this common with web design software? This is the first one I've ever tried, plan to try a few more and a trial version of Dreamweaver. Are there low priced good software not as expensive as Dreamweaver or Frontpage? Tim Mantyla __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Any good free web design software for sales manual?
What about bandicoots, dingos, koalas, numbats, platypuses (platyputii?), wallabys, wombats, or (my own personal favorite) tasmanian devils? (Sorry, couldn't resist) On 10/4/07, Wade Courtney [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Don't you mean Kangaroos? On 10/4/07, Rhonda Bracey [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What Sue said... snipAs a side note, I would never EVER save a Word document as an HTML file and then attempt to do anything with it without first cleaning up the code. There are utilities out there that will strip the garbage tags that MSO inserts. That may actually be part of your import problem./snip However, if you *have* to import a Word doc and don't have anything to clean it with, you can export as HTML (uggghhh!) then run a program like Word Cleaner (http://zapadoo.com/wordcleaner/index.htm) over it to remove the garbage. I'm not affiliated with Word Cleaner, but it's saved hours of time 'cleaning up after elephants!' Rhonda Rhonda Bracey [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cybertext.com.au AuthorIT Certified Consultant __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com -- Wade Courtney North San Diego County Yahoo: wcourtne http://blog.stinkingbadges.org http://www.frappr.com/elpicoso http://www.myspace.com/elpicoso http://www.linkedin.com/in/wadecourtney Persian Officer: Fools! Our arrows will blot out the sun. Stelios: Then we will fight in the shade! __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Best software for a training manual?
I've stayed out of this till now but... Tom, the requirements you listed are really not requirements for what a tool can do. They are requirements for how you will write your docs. And unless I'm mistaken, so far, there isn't any tool out there that will actually write the content for you. So better questions that you should be asking and getting answered are: 1. Do you have existing content? Can the tool import that content? 2. Are you going to provide multiple output formats? If so, what type? PDF? HTML Help? HTML pages (web site or help?). 3. Is this the only document you'll produce? If not, will you use the tool to create user docs? 4. How many people will be working on this project? 5. Is this project a one-off or must it be maintainable? What about expansion? There's more, but you get the idea, yes? If you are thinking of an online format (such as help or Web), pretty much any help authoring tool will do what you want. If you also want to provide PDFs, then your choices narrow somewhat. Framemake with an ADDITIONAL tool allows for print and online. RoboHelp does online well and print less easily. Ditto with Flare. AuthorIT does both well and allows for easier reuse of content. So my advice would be to narrow down the requirements of what you want the TOOL to do, and then go and download evals of the top 3 or 5 tools. Check out www.hat-matrix.com for a help authoring tool comparison. And then come back and ask more specific info or tips/tricks for the tool you've selected. (BTW, MadCap Flare is not necessarily gaining as much momentum as they would have you think. They gained a lot of users off the bat because of the RH-like interface and the special offers when it was that that RH was in the stages of becoming a sunset app. Now that Adobe is actively developing RoboHelp, some who may have been on the fence are going back to a known tool. I know the guys at MadCap and they are great folks, but they are not the market leader no matter how much they may think they are. And yes, I own AuthorIT, RoboHelp, and MadCap Flare!! grin) ...sue On 9/25/07, Tom Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Tim, You'll get a bunch of opinions here. First, you should decide if you're goal is print or online. If you favor one or the other, that might influence your decision. If it doesn't matter, then you might choose from a few of the products that do both fairly well. Some would argue FrameMaker is among the best for printed manuals. It also does well as the basis for PDF. It is also capable of creating online, hyperlinked manuals, but it takes some forethought and work. Flare seems to be gaining ground with the online help crowd, but I think it falls short for print. That's where Madcap hopes to break in with Blaze. I really would recommend against trying to use a beta product (Blaze) for a high-profile project. That is, unless you have unlimited time and patience and are willing to beat your head on the desk while you deal with the inevitable bugs. You're right, Publisher is not up to the task. AuthorIT is a possibility. I don't know enough about the other online help packages to offer much advice. To me, those seem like they do a good job of presenting topic by topic information, but they lack something when it comes to organizing a linear document like a sales training manual. How will the reader know when he or she has finished reading? Other than that, I recommend you visit Char James-Tanny's HAT Matrix to get a good overview of different Help Authoring Tools. http://helpstuff.com/hats.html Tom Johnson -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tim Mantyla Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 1:19 PM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] Best software for a training manual? Hi all, My mission: create a user-friendly sales training manual. I am wondering if anyone can offer some tips, or point me toward someone who can advise me on what software might be appropriate for this venture. We are thinking about a mostly online, easily revisable and hyperlinked format. I'm a writer familiar w/ MS Word, unfamiliar with much other software. Word has problems displaying images, as I'm sure you're aware. (A huge memory upgrade seems to have solved this problem, at least for now.) Might we consider RoboHelp as an authoring tool, or put it on an intranet within the company? Other options? MS Publisher seems too limited. Going to trial demo ExtremeEase, Madcap Flare, on the list to test Madcap Blaze, maybe test others I find. I'd appreciate your hip-pocket reviews of software you use. My goals for the manual include: .As user-friendly, easy to read understand as possible Visual when possible Encourage hands-on learning Describe hands-on procedures when helpful Easy to revise - on the network Usable as a training manual and a reference Keep or link updated procedures thru a central source I'd
Re: [TCP] Scrumming blog
Personally, I don't pay a lot of attention to blogs, even if they are professional. I also have a lot of disdain for some bloggers, who seem to post things on various lists (not here!) and then say go look at my blog in order to get more eyes on that blog. I think it's vanity in that case. I also don't place a lot of credence in most blogs. Stream of thought consciousness or not, blogs generally are one person's opinion or musings. Also blog formats require the blogger to start the conversation and everyone else must comment. Not a real dialogue, in my mind. Will I ever create blog? No. Do I read blogs? There are two that I read on an occasional basis. ...sue (who does know what a blog is) On 9/13/07, Gordon McLean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You mean comment, right? Not post. The author of the blog posts, readers comment. At which point I'll ask, who else blogs about this profession of ours? Has anyone considered it but not followed up or, like Katie, have you just started out? Is there anyone who doesn't know what a blog is, or how they work (in the social aspect of things that is)? Just curious to see who else out there shares this little hobby I picked up a few years back.. Gordon McLean (yes I have a blog, and yes it's easy to find) -Original Message- Subject: [TCP] Scrumming blog I've just created a blog for technical communicators who are working in the agile Scrum environment. Please feel free to post. http://techwriterscrum.blogspot.com/ Sincerely, Katie Roberts This email (and any attachments) is private and confidential, and is intended solely for the addressee. If you have received this communication in error please remove it and inform us via telephone or email. Although we take all possible steps to ensure mail and attachments are free from malicious content, malware and viruses, we cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any changes to content outwith our administrative bounds. The views represented within this mail are solely the view of the author and do not reflect the views of the organisation as a whole. Graham Technology plc Registered in Scotland company no. SC143434 Registered Office India of Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, Scotland PA4 9LH http://www.grahamtechnology.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Scrumming blog
I quite clearly said it wasn't anyone on this list. Adding a tag line about a blog is also not what I meant. On 9/13/07, Dick Margulis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sue Heim wrote: Personally, I don't pay a lot of attention to blogs, even if they are professional. I also have a lot of disdain for some bloggers, who seem to post things on various lists (not here!) and then say go look at my blog in order to get more eyes on that blog. I think it's vanity in that case. Sue, You're of course entitled to think what you want to think. However, as someone who posts on various lists and then says go look at my blog (at least in my sig), I can assure you that vanity has nothing to do with it. My blog is a marketing device, pure and simple. It costs nothing (as opposed to the thousands of dollars a year I was spending on Google AdWords), and it's an effective way to attract clients to my business Web site. YMMV, Dick Margulis http://ampersandvirgule.blogspot.com/ (mostly not tech writing-related, so don't waste your time, Sue) __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] css tutorials
In the graphics world, creating cut ups means taking a graphic and removing something (usually the background), so that just the graphical element itself can be used. For example, if you wanted to take the graphic off of a picture of a button or icon, you'd cut out the graphic. This is not something that is done using CSS and HTML, but is instead done using something like PhotoShop. I'm not sure how you would do this in HTML, actually. ...sue On 9/12/07, Bonnie Granat [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I can't quickly find out by searching what graphic cut ups with HTML and CSS means. Can you briefly state it in other terms? Thanks, Bonnie Granat http://www.GranatEdit.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lisa Gielczyk (TCP) Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:43 PM To: TCP List Subject: [TCP] css tutorials Hello everyone, I got my first call from a contracting agency with a job opportunity this morning--unfortunately, I don't have the specific skill they're looking for. They wanted someone to do I know I could learn how to do it, but they want someone tomorrow, and they have other people they can call. It's only a two-week contract, so I'm not losing much, but I'd like to be able to say, I can do that! next time I get this kind of call. There are very many css tutorials out there. Any suggestions for good ones (meaning tutorials that you or someone you know have used successfully)? I'll need some beginner ones, first, and I would like to do the cut ups, too. Even if another job using that skill doesn't come up, I might use them for my personal pages. Any recommendations much appreciated! Lisa Gielczyk ~rhymes with spellcheck~ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
[TCP] JOBS: Two full-time permanent positions, remote preferred
*PGP Corporation is currently looking to fill a couple of positions for Senior Technical Writer. One position is with the Server Products group, the other is with the Client Products group. Although PGP Corporation is based in Palo Alto, California, location is flexible.* * * The writer for either group will create and maintain documentation for the PGP product lines. Documentation may take the form of guides, online help, short How do I…? videos created using screen video capture software, or technical notes. As a senior level writer, this person is expert in the technical writing process and many industry-standard technologies and understands industry initiatives such as content management, single sourcing, XML, and so on. The candidate will obtain necessary information from available documents and subject matter experts as well as through direct testing of the software itself, and will develop product expertise over time. The Server Products Senior Writer will report to the Sr. Manager of Technical Education, and must have proven success working independently from a remote or home office.** * * *General requirements are similar for both product groups:* - 5+ years experience as a technical writer developing end user or system administrator documentation for a technical audience - In-depth knowledge of documentation and online help creation - Experience developing and maintaining detailed documentation plans and schedules for assigned projects from work conception through review to delivery - Outstanding writing and editing skills - Visually oriented with the ability to communicate graphically via quick start cards or screen videos as elegantly as with prose - Technically inquisitive nature with a fearless approach to technology - Commitment to maintaining subject matter expertise in functional area - Results-oriented: you get things done, and done well, and are focused on the details - Strong ability to multi-task, prioritize, schedule, and meet deadlines *Other desirable* requirements include:** - Experience with the AuthorIT content management system - Experience with Camtasia or Captivate screen video capture software - Experience with Flash and ActionScript - Experience with the process of localizing documentation - Experience with PGP and other security products - Understanding of networking and network protocols; messaging and mail protocols - B.A./M.A. or Certificate in Technical Writing, Professional Writing, Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent experience *To apply for this position, please send your resume to [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] JOBS: Two full-time permanent positions, remote preferred
Just to clarify something... Yes, I work for PGP. Yes, one of the positions is in my group (I do client product docs). Yes, we have a LOT of work coming up, and a lot of cool things happening (especially on the client side). And yes, we're trying to hire quickly!!! grin ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Friday nuttiness...
You have to remember, some of us are very global these days. For example, most of my closest friends live out of my state (some people never lived here, some relocated away). I also remain close with people I worked with in OC (even tho I live in San Diego). And I work for a Bay Area company, which means I am offsite about 100% of the time. I don't need to answer every phone call and every text message, and I won't if it's after work hours. And most of my friends are the same way... if we are out enjoying a lovely dinner and someone's phone rings, that person will check the caller ID and then immediately silence the phone. We all show respect towards one another. My Blackberry is my work lifeline. My cell phone is my home lifeline. Yes, I'll turn them both off. But it's nice to be able to check email while waiting for a doc appt, or to respond to a quick question. I love having Google Maps on my BB -- I no longer get lost and no longer have to pay for calls to 4-1-1 to look up a phone number. My work revolves around technology. My life is involved in technology And I quite enjoy it. ...sue On 8/20/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Melissa Nelson wrote: OK I am feeling like a total techno-dork. I have NO IDEA how to work the text feature on my phone, nor did I on my old phone! Once in a while I will get a text message from someone and then be like DAMMIT and have to call or email them back. You're not alone, Melissa. I couldn't tell you if my phone even has a text feature, and I honestly don't care if it does. My life doesn't revolve around being constantly in contact with everyone and communicating every thought as it happens. I enjoy being unavailable sometimes. I hate it when you're with someone whose phone rings every 3 minutes, especially when the person feels the need to take every single call. It's rudeness at a high-tech level. I shouldn't have to stand there trying to remember what we were talking about while you chat with whoever interrupted us. Either take care of all your junk before meeting me, turn off your stupid phone, or don't meet me at all. Mondays and pet peeves don't mix! - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Day Communique
I think it is used primarily for Web sites. Our organization is using Cascade for Web content management, but we are still using AIT for docs. ...sue On 8/15/07, Martinek, Carla [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We have Day Communique being used for our corporate website. I guess the marketing people are happy with it - more or less. There have been some bumps, but whether it was Day's issue, or the implementation team, I can't say for sure. We looked at using it for managing our technical docs as well, but it is not really structured (or wasn't a year ago) to handle a tech docs setup. In fact, I was told by a former Day employee that it is *not* a good program for managing technical publications (at least in the standard configuration). That said, I'm sure it can be used -- I'm guessing the company you're talking with may have some customization in their setup that makes it work for them. These are my opinions and impressions, and in no way reflect how my company's viewpoints. Nor have I actually *used* Day in any way. -Carla - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Resume writing and editing
Is this person a friend or acquaintance? Honestly, I wouldn't charge. It'll take, what? Max one to two hours? Chalk it up to a good deed or banking future good karma. Geographical location shouldn't make any difference. And if he insisted that you be paid, I'd take considerably less than that ($75-100, maximum). Nothing you are doing is that specialized and the tools you are using are quite common. Unless resume writing is your business. ...sue On 8/1/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've had someone ask me to help him take his seven-page resume down to two pages. He wants to know how much I would charge, but I have no idea because I haven't done this freelance before. I'm thinking of telling him $250 for paring it down, editing it, and giving it back to him in Word and PDF. Does that sound reasonable? He's located in Utah while I'm in Michigan, so there's a geographical factor that may or may not make a difference. Thanks in advance, Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] How long should a resume be?
On 8/1/07, Martinek, Carla [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Spinning off from Donna's question, this came up while we were walking down to get breakfast this morning. 1. How long is your resume? Two pages. 2. In your opinion, is there a maximum length a resume for someone in our field should be? Two pages. I usually won't read a resume that's longer than that. I don't need to know every single thing you've done since the dawn of time. The last 10 years, max. And if you've worked 20 jobs in the last 10 years, I'd be really concerned (even if you're self employed or a contractor, you don't need to list every single contract). Education and affiliations should be a couple of bullets at the end. I don't want to know your hobbies, I don't want to know what conferences you've attended, and I don't want to know your dog's first name. ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Resume writing and editing
So good karma doesn't mean anything? Heck, send him my way and I'll do it for free. Seriously, $250 is way too expensive. $150 is also way too expensive. $100 is more appropriate, in my not so humble opinion. $100 isn't that much, and not something that I'd drop everything for to do. So, I'd do it for free, get some good will, tell him to tell others (and let him know that he's a first so he's a freebie and because he's an acquaintance), and let word of mouth do it's thing. And freelancing. OK, so what do you want to do? Write user docs? Or revise resumes? Write menus? Create web sites? I think you also need to think about what you want to do, and not just what's gonna bring in the money. Because you just said you're not looking to make a change immediately, just seeing if free lancing will bring in the $$. Well, yeah, it will. But what are you willing to do to do that? To be perfectly honest, I do a lot of pro bono work. I do it to create good will. I do it because an hour or two out of my day isn't gonna kill me and losing $100 isn't gonna break the bank. And, the occasional pro bono job has resulted in additional, better paying jobs. (Actually, I did some pro bono work for the company that is now signing my paycheck.) But $250? And this is not your business? I dunno about this guy, but I wouldn't pay it. ...sue On 8/1/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The person is an acquaintance through a networking service. I don't even think we're connected. He was looking for a professional who did resumes, and I offered him advice on how to modify his resume on his own. He prefers to hire someone to do it, so he asked me how much I would charge to do his resume for him, and I didn't know how to answer. I have enough going on already that doing his resume for free isn't worth considering. My husband could come up with at least a hundred other things that he'd rather have me work on. But if there's some cash involved in doing the job, that changes things a little. I'm trying to convince my husband (and myself!) that I can eventually make a living through freelance work. This could be one way to find out if it's feasible. This opportunity isn't totally out of my realm. About 18 years ago, when I worked for a print shop, I sat with people and picked their brains to get information to put on their resume. I enjoyed it, and the people appeared pleased with their results. I wouldn't mind doing it on the side for a little extra grocery money. Donna From: Sue Heim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2007 9:55 AM To: Jones, Donna Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Resume writing and editing Is this person a friend or acquaintance? Honestly, I wouldn't charge. It'll take, what? Max one to two hours? Chalk it up to a good deed or banking future good karma. Geographical location shouldn't make any difference. And if he insisted that you be paid, I'd take considerably less than that ($75-100, maximum). Nothing you are doing is that specialized and the tools you are using are quite common. Unless resume writing is your business. ...sue - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo
Re: [TCP] User testing and focus groups...
I'm not sure what your question is... User testing and focus groups are generally not focused on user assistance (no pun intended). User testing and focus groups generally are used to try to determine the usability of a product and its features, to find out what customer requirements are, and to see how users actually USE the product. If your organization does not do this type of user testing (during which you can actually manage to steal an hour to get some docs tested), your best bet is during the beta testing phase. You should talk to the people who manage the beta program. They can provide you with information on how to obtain information from possibly a select group of users. Or they can include some questions in the beta questionnaire about participating in a survey on the docs. ...sue On 7/20/07, Kevin McLauchlan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ... such unfamiliar concepts. I wonder how many people get to actually DO that stuff. The customers for my products are scattered around the world. The users are mostly IT people and data-security people at big companies (banks and credit-card companies and financial clearing houses and government departments (various departments, various governments). Some are developers writing apps with which our hardware-and-software, or (gawd-forbid) a competitor's, might be integrated. Even if there were a perceived business need and a requirement to test my documents or the user interface, I can't imagine where we'd acquire the necessary bodies. Our customers aren't going to send their staff. We aren't going to visit them with a traveling road show (that would interact with one or two persons at each location). Our product and our market assume a certain industry knowledge and experience that you don't get by rounding up some street people, nor even by raiding the local technical college for an afternoon of diverting technical fun... and free donuts... :-) The closest I can come are our in-house product testers (eng-test and QA) and our support people. And they've mostly seen it all before, so they can't really simulate a naive customer/user all that well. Sometimes I get access to a new kid for a day or three, which means that the introductory stuff and some of the basic config instructions have been refined by such exposure over the years, but the victims always seem to get pulled away to real work before they ever get into the more arcane aspects of our products (or of my documents about same). Is there a whole world of possibility that I'm missing here? Kevin in Ottawa The information contained in this electronic mail transmission may be privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected from disclosure. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and deleting it from your computer without copying or disclosing it. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] most popular
As I said, Writers UA stemmed from Windows writers. As in help authors. As in Windows software applications. And it quite clearly says what the definition means IN THIS CONTEXT. There are plenty of other places where the emphasis is on technical writing (including hardware guides). ...sue On 7/17/07, Dan Goldstein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks for the survey results, but I gotta ask: user assistance professionals? According to WritersUA, this includes Technical Writers, Information Analysts and Architects, Documentation Designers, Help Authors, Publication Managers, Documentation Leads, Senior Writers and Documentation Contractors, and User Education Specialists. The focus is on software user assistance, which encompasses writing, editing, planning, coding, indexing, testing, programming, localization, and standards development. Do UAPs have to be able to, ya know, write? Coding, testing, and programming sound like professional tasks that a poor writer could handle. Apparently, UAPs do *not* document hardware systems, scientific research, pharmaceutical trials, etc. All of those are technical writing tasks in my curmudgeonly book. Dan (Still trying to digest Technical Communicator, and now this...) -Original Message- From: Rhonda Bracey Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 6:18 PM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] most popular Here are the results of last year's WritersUA survey on Tools etc.: http://www.writersua.com/surveys/skillstech06/skillstech_tools.htm Check the note: Note: Past surveys had consistently shown that well over 90% of respondents use Microsoft Word. We left Word off this year's survey to make room for other UA specific tools. Also note: This is a global survey; however, I suspect most of the 500 respondents live in the US. This message contains confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading, disseminating, distributing, copying, electronic storing or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message by mistake, please notify us, by replying to the sender, and delete the original message immediately thereafter. Thank you. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] most popular
I think there are other factors to consider, too. What is the final output? Is it just print (or PDF)? What about for online use, such as in online help? I think for pure *writing*, Microsoft Word is the most prevalent. For desktop publishing, you'll find that the Frame Freaks think Framemaker is most popular (to whom I say pt! I can make Word do anything you can make Framemaker do! grin). And for single-sourcing print and online help, I think you'll find that there is a wide variety of tools in use and most folks will fight over the definition of popular! grin ...sue On 7/16/07, Israel venture4 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What is the most popular program in the U.S.A. for technical writing? Israel Ivri ? 3G Cellular: +972 54 6358521 Telephone: +972 3 635-8536 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Israel ? __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] PDF links all over the place...
Did you update fields before you PDF'd? Either press Ctrl+a to select the entire doc and then press F9 (to update all fields). Or, in Tools Options, on the Printing tab, select the option to update field codes during printing. ...sue On 7/16/07, Al Geist [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I just created a PDF from a Word document (Acrobat 6.0 and Word 2003). The Word internal cross-references start out okay (the first two chapters are fine), then they pop up all over the place, sometimes even two pages away from where they should be. I've tried the same set up on another system and ended up with the same results. I don't want to recreate all the cross-references (book is 271 pages), but I'm all out of ideas (not that I had a lot to begin with). If I had my druthers, I'd use something else than Word (FrameMaker, InDesign, etc.), but it's what I'm stuck with. Other parameters are (Windows XP Professional, a gig of RAM (both systems), 20+ gigs of HD space left. The cross-references work correctly in the Word source file. I've reloaded both Acrobat and Office 2003, but still have the same problem. Al Geist Technical Writing, Help, Marketing Collateral, Web Design and Award Winning Videos Voice/Msg: 802-658-3140 Cell: 802-578-3964 E-mail: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] URL: http://www.geistassociates.com (Online portfolio and resume) See also: URL: http://www.geistimages.com (Fine art photographic prints for home or office and beautiful note cards for all occasions.) __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] most popular
Remember, too, that the results may be skewed towards online help authors. As WritersUA started out as WinWriters (as in Windows online help people), and still has a large demographic of online help authors (versus those who create print oer PDF only). So I would hesitate to use these survey results as statistically significant unless you also produce print and online help. ...sue On 7/16/07, Rhonda Bracey [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Here are the results of last year's WritersUA survey on Tools etc.: http://www.writersua.com/surveys/skillstech06/skillstech_tools.htm Check the note: Note: Past surveys had consistently shown that well over 90% of respondents use Microsoft Word. We left Word off this year's survey to make room for other UA specific tools. Also note: This is a global survey; however, I suspect most of the 500 respondents live in the US. Rhonda Rhonda Bracey [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cybertext.com.au AuthorIT Certified Consultant -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Israel venture4 Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 4:02 AM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] most popular What is the most popular program in the U.S.A. for technical writing? __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
[TCP] Request on cross postings
I dunno what the rules are here, but generally it's best not to cross post to dozens of lists. What happens is when someone replies all, then that someone ends up with lots of rejections. Most lists to which I belong specifically request members avoid cross-postings (addressing a single email to multiple lists). Anyways, please, it would be really nice not to have to either delete the bounces, or check and make sure that every addy I've replied to is, in fact, a list I belong to. (For example, I'm here but I'm not on techwhirl any more). Thanks! ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Back On Topic
Me, I need to figure out a way to single-source content that is shared between a main and co-branded product when references to another of our products is totally interwoven. As in: Blah blah blah (content for both). Then Yada Yada Yada (content specific to our product). Then Blah blah blah (content for both). As in, not easy to share an entire topic. And there are dozens of places. So the decision is: 1. Do I rip apart the topics, and rebuild the paragraphs that apply to each doc type? 2. Do I rip apart the topics and add a variable that includes Yada Yada Yada on the one, and empty on the other? 3. Do I create a copy of the topic and pull out what doesn't pertain to the one? Thereby forcing me to then manage duplicate topics (changing content in one means to change in the other -- and yeah, I can flag them both to remind me to change the other one but still...). 4. Do I frickin' ignore the problem and hope it goes away? sigh I'm stuck till I figure this one out, and I'm not sure what's the best way to go. Eenie meenie minie moe! ...sue P.S. And it's Monday. It's gloomy and it's Monday. I hate gloomy Mondays! Grrr On 7/9/07, Lisa Gielczyk (TCP) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: So... let's get back to technical writing, shall we? :) What is everyone doing this week? Me, I am getting ready to launch the TCPwiki today or tomorrow, so watch for an email about that! Lisa G. On 7/9/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ha! Get in line. I ought regale you with tales of youth sports!! __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] I lost the battle but thoughts
I'd do exactly what you're doing... keep using accent, snicker into your hand, and let 'em go off on their merry way. How are you using it? What's the context? Are you using it to inform translation peeps that such and such a letter requires an accent/diacritic? Or do you actually use that word somewhere in your app? Love the bwahahahaha!!! snort ...sue On 7/6/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, I lost the battle but what are your thoughts? In our tech docs we are using the term diacritic mark. I argue that we should say accent mark because more people know what that is. Also, diacritic is not an adjective. So, it should be diacritic not diacritic mark. I lost. And am okay with that. (Am secretly using accent mark in my documentation, bwahahahaha. ) Any thoughts from any of you who translate, are having a slow Friday, or both? Cheers, Sean DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
[TCP] So is the boss always right?
Funny, a common thread is... do what your boss wants you to do. Is the boss always right? What if he/she isn't? What do you do then? Shut up, grin, and bear it? Fight to win the battle, if not the war? Declare you disagree but then do what you're told? Stick to your principles and quit? I'm firmly in the boss is not always right camp, but sometimes I have a problem convincing my boss of that! grin Just food for thought on a Wednesday Hump Day! ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] employee retention
Employers do not have zero motivation for continuing education. They most likely DO have zero motivation for graduate degrees. If you, as a tech writer, don't have any degrees, then using tuition reimbursement to get an Associates and then Bach degree is likely in the company's best interest. Not so much for a Masters. ..sue On 6/13/07, Chris Borokowski [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I don't think it was. I think people are going to see it as a continuation of your shock at finding out that employers have zero financial motivation to pay for continuing education. Personally, I understood the shock, and was glad for what some might see as naivete but I see as a very optimistic innocence. There are those of us out here who have no problem with what you're doing. There are others who are skeptical and critical of anything that seems to lead toward subversive conclusions, and they're motivated by fear. I don't discount that fear, but I think that it exists and is rational is all the proof you will need that your inquiries are reasonable. --- Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Starting a thread to find out what employers do for employee retention and what they don't do was a bad idea. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] graduate education not a benefit
What would a graduate degree provide to your employer, in tangible benefits? Besides personal development, I mean. I can kinda understand where they are coming from. A graduate degree is way different than a BA or BS. What type of advantage would having the advanced degree give you in order to do your job better? Are there positions in your department where having a graduate degree would be a requirement, thereby allowing for promotional opps? Wouldn't specialized training and/or classes/conferences provide better benefit to your employer? Just playin' devil's advocate here! :) ...sue On 6/12/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, We just did our self-evaluations for our employer. At the department meeting today, the boss said getting a masters degree was not an objective that supported company goals and was not a good objective for our self reviews. Yours truly mentioned pursuing a masters degree in his self review. Last year, I put on there getting more familiar with our product line and becoming an SME in some areas, and I'm doing that. But I do that anyway. Slots in company training courses on our product were given to folks other than me this year, because I already have a good base and the other folks are newer. So, company training is not something I have ready access to. And, I learn our product anyway. And, moreover, I want new things in my self review, not the same ones every year. Additionally, my employer pays folks with an MA more than folks with a BA, and folks with a PhD significantly more, for the same level of work. And, allegedly, my employer does have tuition reimbursement, though I can find no examples of it. So, when I heard the statement from my boss about doing graduate coursework was not an objective that supported company goals, I was a little put off. Thoughts? Sean DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
I put things like stay current in the field and explore new technologies and attend conferences to do those things. I include design and usability objectives. I do not include getting a degree. :) ...sue On 6/12/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For example, becoming more technically familiar with our products, with the goal of becoming an SME. What do you put as objectives for your career for your employer when doing a self evaluation for an annual review? Cheers. DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] graduate education not a benefit
BTW, I do have a degree in Landscape Archicture. Not a Masters, though! :) So there Pfftt! BIG grin ...sue On 6/12/07, Dana Worley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Tuesday, June 12, 2007, Sue Heim wrote: It depends on what the learning is. To obtain a graduate degree just for the sake of it does not necessarily benefit the company. It does benefit the employee. Of course, but I know Sean well enough to assume he's not going for a degree in basket-weaving (or landscape architecture ;). If it's on his evaluation as a goal, then he felt it was an activity that supported the company's goals. There's also the argument that pursuit of a degree in itself helps one to be a better thinker, better writer, better problem solver, etc. I've always been surprised how one skill can cross over to something entirely different that you would never expect. Dana *** Dana Worley Software Product Manager/Manager, Software Support Group Campbell Scientific, Inc. Microsoft MVP, Windows Help __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] looking for an elegant way to unmute
Unmute is the appropriate verb, in this case. And I'd not hyphenate it. ...sue P.S. Here's the list of commands for my conference service: * 2 Record conference (on/off) (if activated) * 4 Lock conference * 5 Unlock conference * 6 Mute line * 7 Unmute line * 8 Conference continuation * 9 Roll call (if activated) * # Count participants # # Mute all lines 9 9 Unmute all lines 0 0 To ask for an operator * * List available commands On 6/5/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, Is un-mute or unmute an elegant verb to use in the following circumstances? Thoughts? Alternatives? To mute the phone, do X, Y, and Z. To unmute the phone, do A, B, and C. Cheers, Sean DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] looking for an elegant way to unmute
I think we need more context. Because, honestly, I think mute/unmute is pretty prevalent, and why would you want alternatives? I just checked the help on my Blackberry and it says to mute do this, to turn mute off do that. But my conference service is quite clear on mute/unmute. The sound card on my laptop says mute (not turn off sound). So... Who's your audience, Sean? What's the context? ...sue On 6/5/07, Roberts, Katie [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Alternatives: Activate mute/deactivate mute Engage mute/release mute Katie Roberts Technical Writer Jewelry Television IT Software Engineering Product Management 10001 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37922 865.692.2715 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dana Worley Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 5:24 PM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] looking for an elegant way to unmute Enable mute/disable mute? Turn on mute/turn off mute? Disable the sound/enable the sound? Silence the phone/de-silence the phone? ;) Dana W. (I think I like disable/enable sound) On Tuesday, June 05, 2007, Brierley, Sean wrote: Is un-mute or unmute an elegant verb to use in the following circumstances? Thoughts? Alternatives? To mute the phone, do X, Y, and Z. To unmute the phone, do A, B, and C. *** Dana Worley Software Product Manager/Manager, Software Support Group Campbell Scientific, Inc. Microsoft MVP, Windows Help __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
[TCP] Question on 2 column layouts
OK, I got one for you all... We have this quick start guide. It's really not quick, since it's 20 pages. Previously, it was created in Framemaker and PDF'd. They did odd things in Framemaker, by using extra paragraph returns to add blank space, and they did this thing that just horrifies me: They started out one column, for two or three pages, then it switched to two columns for a couple of pages, then back to one column, then the next page that was two column was weird (text on the left, screen shots that lined up to a specific step on the right, so there was lots of empty space). Then back and forth between two and one. I hate it. I think it looks unprofessional. And I think it's a royal pain to read. I've got all the content in to AIT now, and I've created a newsletter style template. With a one column SECTION at the top of the first page, so the product name and title span two columns. Then the rest of the content is all two columns. It's not all pure text. My manager wants to go back to the one column then two column then one column thing. What would you do? A single two column document (sans the heading)? Or a mixed one and two column document? ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Backatcha ... if the app doesn't work for the TW ...
If the tech writer had the correct system requirements and the app didn't work, I'd try and figure out why. Cause, well, it's a BUG! ...sue On 6/5/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: So, If you were making a browser-based app for sale. And, said App didn't work for your tech writer in the default supported browser, and the tech writer said, the site doesn't display for me, it's blank, would you then reply works for me and be good with that? Weird. See, if it were me and one of my audience couldn't see the content, during development when the audience numbers a dozen people at most, I'd be curious and nervous that somebody else might encounter the problem Cheers, Sean DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Backatcha ... if the app doesn't work for the TW ...
And the first time a customer has the issue, what will happen then? :) Not to mention the problems one has trying to document something that cannot be seen! ...sue On 6/5/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: He does. Funny you should say that, cos that's what I thought. In fact, I consider it a high-severity one. But the project lead I reported it to and my TW boss seem to be okay with it. Weird. Cheers, Sean From: Sue Heim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 6:00 PM To: Brierley, Sean Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Backatcha ... if the app doesn't work for the TW ... If the tech writer had the correct system requirements and the app didn't work, I'd try and figure out why. Cause, well, it's a BUG! ...sue On 6/5/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: So, If you were making a browser-based app for sale. And, said App didn't work for your tech writer in the default supported browser, and the tech writer said, the site doesn't display for me, it's blank, would you then reply works for me and be good with that? Weird. See, if it were me and one of my audience couldn't see the content, during development when the audience numbers a dozen people at most, I'd be curious and nervous that somebody else might encounter the problem Cheers, Sean DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Question on 2 column layouts
My boss said, and I quote, it's one long vomit of data. Of course, all of the headings are styled in the exact same font as they used in the previous one, same amount of leading. I'd increase both so they'd stand out. And it looks damned good as it is. Vomit of data. Just pisses me off. The problem is, she designed the POC. And is taking it personally. And I'm screwed. And I'm even more screwed cause she doesn't understand media objects in AIT and so she's gonna break it and I'm gonna have to spend time to fix it. Time I don't have. sigh Today I hate my job. But seriously... what do you think about switching between column formats??? If you want to see an example, go to https://supportimg.pgp.com/guides/PGP_Desktop_9.6.0_QuickStart_eng.pdf. ...sue On 6/5/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, I'd not rule out your bosses desires off the top ... I'd find out why your boss wants that and then email the reasons to the list. I am assuming he's reasonable and so has a reason or two Cheers and grins, Sean -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sue Heim Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 5:47 PM To: TCP List Subject: [TCP] Question on 2 column layouts OK, I got one for you all... We have this quick start guide. It's really not quick, since it's 20 pages. Previously, it was created in Framemaker and PDF'd. They did odd things in Framemaker, by using extra paragraph returns to add blank space, and they did this thing that just horrifies me: They started out one column, for two or three pages, then it switched to two columns for a couple of pages, then back to one column, then the next page that was two column was weird (text on the left, screen shots that lined up to a specific step on the right, so there was lots of empty space). Then back and forth between two and one. I hate it. I think it looks unprofessional. And I think it's a royal pain to read. I've got all the content in to AIT now, and I've created a newsletter style template. With a one column SECTION at the top of the first page, so the product name and title span two columns. Then the rest of the content is all two columns. It's not all pure text. My manager wants to go back to the one column then two column then one column thing. What would you do? A single two column document (sans the heading)? Or a mixed one and two column document? DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED
Re: [TCP] Question on 2 column layouts
It's a her not a him. And it's not just a document. It's a document out of AuthorIT and she doesn't know what she's doing. So iit'll mean taking a few hours out of a schedule that is already impossible in order to fix things she broke. And the only answer I've gotten out of her is the oh so lovely vomit of data. Which, by the way, it's not. Bleah. Double bleah. Is it Friday yet? :) ...sue On 6/5/07, John Posada [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My manager wants to go back to the one column then two column then one column thing. What would you do? I'd ask him why, hoping that when he hears his answer, he's know it sounds odd. Try to get his answer in writing, maybe an email. I'd then do what he says. Sue...it's just a document. John Posada Senior Technical Writer They say everyone needs goals. Mine is to live forever. So far, so good. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Oh yeah. And I refuse to rejoin until the person who is Region 8 Director (or is it sponsor now?) is no longer acting in that position! Because of him, it was no longer fun to be an active leader, let alone member, in the organization. And although I could join any other community I wanted (say, Boston! grin), if I wanted to attend any local meetings, I'd have to pay. (Although not sure I'd want to since their agenda is lousy, but that is itself a whole other issue!) STC didn't just disrespect international members. They did a real good job if disrespecting national members, who were active leaders in chapters and communities. ...sue On 5/26/07, Paula Stern (WritePoint) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: snip 3. A deep-seated anger that STC national took years and burned many people by refusing to respect international members while using thousands of our dollars and our membership to be able to call itself an international organization. It finally recognized some of its mistakes...but has done nothing to undo the damage that was caused to local groups. 4. Politics - I can't stand the pettiness I have seen in the past and the fact that almost every past leader here is burned out, fed up, and disgusted. I've seen the local council go against key membership opinions to benefit the council members and bend by-laws so far that it is a joke. I believe STC national (and local) lost the interest of the ordinary international technical writer when all it could see was itself in the mirror. There are some small efforts it has taken to rectify this - but for me it is a case of too little and too late. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Outgrowing the old resources?
I let my membership in STC lapse two years ago. A part of me keeps thinking I ought to rejoin, but a part of me doesn't know why the other part thinks that. I know the leaders in STC are working to improve things. But... I do think STC lost it's way. It lost it's value for me a long time ago (I felt I was spending more time mentoring others than gaining any new knowledge myself). I quit attending the STC annual conference years ago (too general, too basic, and, at that time, really hard to rationalize attendance). I attend one specific conference a year (WritersUA) and gain more from tha conference that from all the other STC events combined. I stay active in HATT and the AuthorIT users group lists. I never catch up to what's on Techwrl. On those lists I'm on, I find I do provide answers more than I ask questions. I guess, if you've been doing something for close to 20 years, there comes a point when, well, you know. I've found that the San Diego chapter doesn't do anything for me. The leadership here is very focused on only the things they want and not the things that members may want. For example, half the chapter dinner sessions each year seem to be about Framemaker or other printed docs, and the other half usually are vendor sessions (the next session is MadCap, the past session was Adobe). There is another issue with leadership, and that is those who lead for the wrong reasons. When STC becomes more viable for experienced folks (and online help authors), then I'll seriously reconsider my membership. User advocacy, UI design, Web-based technologies... I'd like to see more of this. (I know this isn't the case much any more, but I really don't need to learn how to write a resume or the number of spaces after a period!) ...sue On 5/18/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: snip If you have been around for a while as a technical communicator, do you feel that you have outgrown STC and some of the more traditional online forums (lists like Techwr-l, TCP, FrameUsers, and such)? Do you feel that they have little to offer you any more and that they take more from you than they give back? Is there anything that you can do or that you already do to make up for gaps that you perceive in any of these resources? As people on TCP may have read earlier today, I was in Minneapolis for the STC convention this past week. I was happy with the Adobe FrameMaker-specific sessions, and I enjoyed some of the other sessions. But there were some time slots when I wasn't overly interested in anything that was being presented. Some were too general for me because they were meant for beginners, and others were too specific for me because I don't use the particular tools or techniques being discussed. I'm guessing that it's time for me to step up and be a presenter rather than quitting STC. (Do I want to be a part of the solution or just sit back and complain that I see a problem?) As another example, I unsubscribed from FrameUsers a year or two ago when I found that I had few questions to ask and that I tended to spend too much time thinking about other people's FrameMaker problems. My answers were usually similar to other replies, so it wasn't like I was the only person capable of answering people's questions. I've limited myself to responding to people who post unstructured FrameMaker questions to TCP (and previously to Techwr-l), and that has worked for me. I'm giving something back to the FrameMaker user community without it taking too much out of me. If the feeling of outgrowing the resources applies to you, what are your needs that aren't being met? What types of things do you expect to receive for free (such as a list like TCP), and what types of things would you expect to have to pay for (such as the STC Single-Sourcing SIG)? Looking forward to people's replies. Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
None of those reasons? Coulda made the time, money's not an issue, not a problem with travel or family. As I said in another thread, STC no longer provides me with any value. I get far more value from specialized conferences, such as WritersUA. If I attend a conference, I'd much prefer to go to one where I have to struggle to decide which session to attend amongst several in a single time frame. Rather than finding that there are several times in which there isn't a single thing that interests me. General ennui with STC has been an issue for the last couple of years. If STC would step into the 21st century a bit more, I'd love it. I know they've made some steps in the right direction, and I understand the sessions were better this year than in the past (I mean, really, how many sessions do you need on writing a resume or finding a job in a crummy market?), but still not enough to excite me. Without excitement, why bother? I think STC can have a lot of value for incoming/newbie types. But when you get to be an old hag like me, the value of attending an annual conference diminishes greatly. ...sue On 5/18/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: snip For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Was it a money thing? A time away from work thing? A total lack of interest in STC thing? For me the last several years, it was a family thing. My kids were young enough that it was difficult for me to go. Although my mother-in-law (my primary babysitter while I was gone) would probably disagree, it was fairly easy for me to attend this year. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
And that type of session is why I would steer clear of a conference. That type of session? Two words: Learning Annex. grin Seriously, if I'm gonna attend a professional conference, I don't want sessions on personal improvement (persuasiveness, time management, justifying conference attendance). I don't even want to know how to justify MYSELF to others in my company. I want professional sessions. It's why I like WritersUA so much. Very clearly, it's targeted to that which I do, daily. Plus, I like the locations! BIG grin ...sue BTW, welcome Elizabeth!!! On 5/18/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Elizabeth wrote: Congrats to both of you. Thank you! :-) (someday I'll send an intro to this list) Welcome to tech writing and to the TCP list! You'll find that we're pretty harmless, although most of have some pretty strong opinions and aren't afraid to let them be known. Part of being a good communicator is knowing when to tell people what you think. I think more of us have problems with the when part than with actually doing the telling. ;-) And yes, I'm speaking about myself with that. I'm notorious for being much too forward, which I'm slowly but surely working on. That's why I'm hoping for more sessions in persuasion at the STC conferences. Part of persuasion is in knowing when to tread lightly and when to keep your mouth shut. I'm still trying to learn that part. :-) Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Windows(r) font question
I believe they are UNICODE (when viewing Japanese online help, I have to set my browser's encoding to UTF-8. But that is to view fonts. AFAIK, you can't actually type any Japanese characters in a standard EN Windows installation. Are you using a JP Win OS? When I look at the Japanese version of our doc set, there are additional font subsets installed (such as Hiragana). When I look at Insert Symbol, these additional font sets are listed there, but they are not part of my standard EN installation. ...sue On 5/8/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, Anyone know which Japanese fonts Windows includes by default? Are the OTF and Unicode? __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] looking for tech comm goofs and funnies
OK, I'm not really sure I think this is funny (since I'm spending a LOT of time rewriting the output from this person, but... You know how you usually write, when you tell a user to select a menu or menu option? Select Menu Menu Option or From the Menu menu, select Menu Option? Well, this person writes: Pull down the Keys menu, slide down to Share Key, then over to Make Shared. or Slide down to PGP, then slide over and select Mount PGP Disk. I kid you not. ...sue P.S. And yes, I'm still cleaning up the writing! __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Reply to Lisa re First time for everything
Best of luck, Lisa!!! As Carol said, whenever one door has closed (as a result of a RIF), another door has opened. That said, however, there is a bit of an adjustment and mourning period. When we finally closed down an office (after six years of working together during acquisitions and all), it felt like we were getting divorced. I enjoyed the freedom and spent the next year working on consulting jobs (eventually deciding that it was time to address the benefits issue and that I do get better benefits as a captive employee). But it was weird not seeing the same dozen guys that I'd worked with for years! We do keep in touch, though I have to admit my sharp repartee has suffered as a result of not constantly being the butt of their jokes for six years (the last year was 12 guys and me, so yeah, you can bet how much teasing *I* got!). Take time to mourn the divorce but have fun! You've got a great opportunity now, and it sounds like the timing is almost perfect (perfect is when you pick it yourself, but this is close! grin). ...sue __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] User Forums
Hey Dana! PGP uses online forums. Basically, they are support forums and are monitored by support and various other (as assigned) PGP staff. These are the people who respond to users on the forums. Some of the rest of us monitor them, just to see what's going on in our user's respective worlds. I think they are VERY useful, particularly if the user community participates (customer A asks a question, customer B can pop in and answer or provide additional information. If no customers pop in, then PGP's support folks will. Sometimes they will anyways!!! I'm on a conference call, so this is really brief. Let me know if you want more info... ...sue On 5/2/07, Dana Worley [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi All, I hope you won't find my post too off base, since my inquiry is about technical *communication* though not necessarily about writing. This is a diverse group of people who cover a variety of industries so I think you are good group to toss this question to :) Every so often someone within our organization offers up the suggestion of starting an on-line forum for the users of our dataloggers. I was wondering if your company offers this service to your users, how (or if) you moderate it, the amount of time it takes to manage the forum, pro's, con's, etc. -- essentially, any thoughts you might have regarding on-line forums *from a company's perspective* (we all know they are invaluable from a user's perspective). I have my thoughts on this, but I would like to hear yours, so I'll reserve mine for later :) Thanks, Dana *** Dana Worley Software Product Manager/Manager, Software Support Group Campbell Scientific, Inc. Microsoft MVP, Windows Help __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] first time for everything
Actually, that's not correct. In California, the waiting period is one week. If you get severance or vacation pay, it now longer counts against you. In California, file for unemployment benefits immediately, because the waiting period starts right then. ...sue On 5/1/07, Wade Courtney [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: * I received severance; can I also get unemployment? Now, or after the18 weeks? This depends on your state. In Ca, there is a waiting period, and I don't think you can get it if you are getting severence over time, but lump sums I have no clue. snip __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Grant writing
Hi Donna, Grant writing is completely different than technical writing. The skills you've gained in the past 20 years will definitely help and give you a leg up. But I'd highly recommend taking a course or other training. There are definite tricks you'd learn. Grant writing is more of a selling proposition, rather than an educational proposition (you want to sell your organization so that people will fund grants, yes?). Offhand, I can't think of any classes online although I know they exist. You could check your local community colleges. You may also want to talk to others doing similar things (is there a group you know apply for grants? talk to 'em to see what they recommend). ...sue On 5/1/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm just starting to dabble my toes in the grant-writing waters to request funding for materials and additional training for local chaplains who will be working within our community. As the lone writer in our group of new chaplains, I appear to be the most logical choice to do this. It's either that or hire someone to do it for us, which just doesn't sit well with me. I can do it! Is grant writing something that I should consider taking a class for, or can I learn to do it well enough by falling back on almost 20 years of technical writing experience? Is there an online course that anyone would recommend? I would be grateful for any pointers that someone with grant-writing experience could give me. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] copyright -- implicit or no?
Note, however, that this formal copyright registration is generally not geared towards user documentation (rather music, lyrics, novels, and so on). If you explicitly state copyright ownership in the documents being published (be they online or print), then the documents are protected. If the copyright is ever challenged, you may need to prove first publication date, but that's rare (the challenge). ...sue On 4/26/07, Milan Davidovic [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Sean: In general, copyright registration is a legal formality intended to make a public record of the basic facts of a particular copyright. However, registration is not a condition of copyright protection. Even though registration is not a requirement for protection, the copyright law provides several inducements or advantages to encourage copyright owners to make registration. http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#cr More on this page as to what can and can't be protected, and a bunch of other stuffs... -- Milan Davidovic http://altmilan.blogspot.com http://www.terminus1525.ca/studio/view/2758 On 4/26/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi If I create art -- vector, photo, whatever -- is it implicitly protected as my work or do I need to obtain an external copyright through some agency? Any sources for that opinion? If I author text content -- user manual, whatever -- is it implicitly protected as my work or do I need to obtain an external copyright through some agency? Any sources for that opinion? __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] potentially ot: web filtering
If your organization is now using Websense, there ain't much you can do other than pleading with them to modify policy. It appears that they ARE allowing you to view news sites, just within a daily quota, so I doubt if there's much you can do, tho. Welcome to the 21st century. More and more organizations are doing more to ensure security of their networks and IP. Besides content filters on email, there is IM filtering and Web site filtering. If an organization has installed one of these products, well, there's not much you can do to work around it. If you need more than an hour a day, you can see if they can give you more on your quota. I'm sure they've got levels set for who can do what and when. Otherwise, think Verizon broadband wireless (you can connect anywhere! grin). ...sue On 4/26/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Auuugh. No worries before today (except an incoming email that got rejected because it used the words guinea pig) and now, at lunchtime, I try to get my daily news from news.bbc.co.uk. http://www.pubsink.com/websense.png http://www.websense.com/global/en/ResourceCenter/ProductSolutions/WebFil tering.php Agh. Advice, workarounds, sympathies requested. Sean DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
