Re: [TCP] apologies

[sue . heim]

I don't think she could post If she wasn't subbed to this list. It should've 
bounced back to her. 

  
...sue (Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry)

-Original Message-
From: Melissa Nelson 
Sender: tcp-boun...@techcommpros.com
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:06:37 
To: 
Cc: 
Subject: Re: [TCP] apologies


Thanks for letting me know. For some reason when she replied it went to the 
mailbox I have set up for this list.

Thanks again,

Melissa

> Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:37:01 -0400
> Subject: Re: [TCP] apologies
> From: techcommd...@gmail.com
> To: melmi...@hotmail.com
> CC: tcp@techcommpros.com
> 
> I don't think apologies are necessary. I can't find anything of the
> sort in my mail (and I save everything - yay Gmail!).
> 
> On Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 12:26 PM, Melissa Nelson  wrote:
> >
> > I wanted to apologize. I forwarded an email about a position someone was 
> > discussing on here to a friend who is looking for work and having a very 
> > bad day. I am afraid her reply went to this list and not to just me. I am 
> > not sure how that happened but I apologize and she wishes me to apologize 
> > for her as well.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Melissa
> >
> > __
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Re: [TCP] Old printing terms -- trying to convey a conept to our print vendors in China

[Sue Heim]

You want to use CMYK (as a reference) and tell them that the K (black) is
100% saturation. (CMYK in this case is 0,0,0,100)
...sue




On Thu, Aug 5, 2010 at 2:22 PM, Jones, Donna  wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> I've been sitting here for the better part of the afternoon googling for
> concepts from my old days of working in a print shop. I'm not having much
> luck because 20 or so years have passed since I worked there, and the terms
> are foggy, although the concepts are still in the back of my brain.
>
> Here's the situation. Our manufacturing was moved to China, so our few
> printed quick reference guides are now printed there, too. We got a check
> copy today where our normally 100% black logo was, at best, about 75-80%
> black. To me, it looked gray, not black. I'm drawing a blank on how to tell
> them in the future (without using a lot of words) that the black needs to be
> darker. Whenever we try to convey something to them, we find it best to use
> a graphic with a small amount of text. I would like to include a graphic in
> our print specifications document that shows a scale of black from 0 to
> 100%. Then we can specify that anything below a certain percentage is not
> acceptable. This page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grayscale) has a scale
> off to the right, but it's not something that I can select and save. I
> remember measuring the level of black on printed copies in the past, or at
> least comparing the black against a chart of some kind, but the specifics
> are eluding me. I know that I have, in years past, rejected things when the
> black wasn't dark enough and could tell them exactly why.
>
> Can anyone point me at anything on the web or at least jolt my brain to
> remind me of what terms I could search for? I've been working with the terms
> gray scale, print saturation, print density, and a few others, but I'm not
> finding much that will help.
>
> Thanks,
> Donna
>
> 
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Re: [TCP] Technical writing and tools

[Sue Heim]

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
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Re: [TCP] Writing a user manual

[sue . heim]

Why does it matter? Your audience is anyone who is using, or may be using, the 
product. Doesn't matter If they've used it before or not. How often do you look 
up something in an application you use often?


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: raj nair 
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2010 19:36:18 
To: 
Subject: [TCP] Writing a user manual


Imagine that I give a user manual to a potential user to read it without 
installing or using the application. Simultaneously, I give the same document 
to another person, who has installed the application and can verify the 
information in the user manual. 

 

In an ideal situation, who exactly is my correct audience? Is it the guy with 
the installed application and user manual, or the other one? Also, whose 
feedback should I take seriously? 

 

I just want to know how you will deal with such a situation.

 

 
  
_
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Re: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if"

[sue . heim]

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 
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:26:40 
To: 
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.
  
_
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Re: [TCP] Is technical writing worth the hype and pain?

[Sue Heim]

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  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!
>
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Re: [TCP] Is technical writing worth the hype and pain?

[Sue Heim]

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  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
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Is technical writing worth the hype and pain?

[Sue Heim]

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  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
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Re: [TCP] Are you on Twitter?

[Sue Heim]

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 
>
>
>
> Adobe Community Expert, RoboHelp MVP, RoboGURU
>
> Adobe Authorized Reseller
>
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Re: [TCP] Are you on Twitter?

[sue . heim]

I am @sue_sd. 


Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: "Paula R. Stern \(WritePoint\)" 
Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 12:50:18 
To: 
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  

 

Adobe Community Expert, RoboHelp MVP, RoboGURU

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Re: [TCP] desktop publishing and accessibility

[Sue Heim]

I'm not sure what you mean by "auto tagging." If you use PDF Maker to
publish to PDF, then you can specify if you want to create a tagged document
or not. (Note: Not sure about other apps, but tagging while PDFing a Word
doc dramatically increases the time it takes to PDF. PDF it first, then tag
it, and it'll go much faster.) AFAIK, if the app prints using Distiller,
there is no way to automatically tag as the PDF is created.

Another thing to consider (and I don't know if Quark can do this) is whether
your graphics will include alt text. Word doesn't pick up alt text for
graphics so to be 100% compliant, you have to manually add the text to all
graphics in the tagged PDF. However, if the graphic is, essentially,
superfluous (meaning, it's an example of what was just described, as in a
procedure), then you may be able to get away with not adding the alt text.

...sue

On Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Lisa Gielczyk wrote:

> Hi everyone. Just checking to see if anyone has a recommendation for the
> best desktop publishing software to use when you need to produce accessible
> pdf files (for government requirements). From what I've seen, Quark doesn't
> automatically tag, though that's just from reading documentation, I haven't
> used Quark, personally. FrameMaker seems to do a good job. Does InDesign do
> any auto tagging?
>
> Thanks,
> Lisa
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Re: [TCP] Word choice: Might or May?

[Sue Heim]

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  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] 
> > Cell: 951-20

Re: [TCP] Physical fitness and technical communication

[Sue Heim]

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-
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Re: [TCP] How to best provide value as a tech communicator? (was Re: A or An?)

[Sue Heim]

You don't know the context in which Donna asked the question. It's possible
she wrote something one way and then needed to defend her decision.
Sometimes, the best way to do that is to check what OTHERS are doing.
Whether you like it or not, sometimes we have tol be bogged down a bit in
the details. That doesn't mean we stay there. And, as always, there's a
Delete key.
...sue



On 7/30/08, Tim Mantyla <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Donna and others,
>
> Not to be snarky, or to denigrate the constructive analysis below,
> but...exactly how many bits can dance on the head of a byte?
>
> Ask yourself how useful is this discussion compared with the overall value
> a tech writer can impart to a project, or her organization, simply by
> focusing on clear, understandable writing?
>
> Isn't the larger question: "How can I make my technical (and other)
> communications as clear and easy to use as possible?"
>
> Check out a great article by Bruce Byfield:  "Tech Writers, Grammar and
> the Prescriptive Attitude." It answers the questions above by reframing
> niggling, picayune grammarian questions in larger issues that will help
> you provide greater value to your organization and thus, to your own
> career:
> http://www.techwr-l.com/node/688
>
>
> Tim Mantyla
>
> Technical & marketing writer & editor - Journalist - Blogger - Researcher
>
> The Communication & Creativity blog has...
> New articles posted on communication and creativity!  Visit
> http://timmantyla.wordpress.com
> Professional services - see
> http://timmantyla.wordpress.com/professional-profile-services/
>
> LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/timmantyla
>
> Message from "Jones, Donna" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on Tue, 29 Jul
> > Subject: [TCP] A or An?
> >
> > Just wondering what others have done. When using the term "SQL server
> > database," do you use the word "a" or the word "an"? In other words, is
> > it typically pronounced S-Q-L, or is it pronounced "sequel"?
> >
> > Or do I have to skip that somewhat generic reference and call it a
> > Microsoft SQL server database?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Donna
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Re: [TCP] A or An?

[Sue Heim]

The product name is "SQL Server". As such, it's pronounced "sequel server".
In that case, it's "a sequel server." Sorry Kathy, but if you were talking
about SQL conditions, then I'd agree. But not when it's used as a product
name. :)

...sue



On 7/29/08, Kathy Bowman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> The Macquarie Dictionary says of SQL "(say es kyooh 'el). I would use
> 'an' SQL server. My 2 cents worth.
> Kath
>
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Behalf Of Jones, Donna
> Sent: Wednesday, 30 July 2008 5:12 AM
> To: tcp@techcommpros.com
> Subject: [TCP] A or An?
>
> Just wondering what others have done. When using the term "SQL server
> database," do you use the word "a" or the word "an"? In other words, is
> it typically pronounced S-Q-L, or is it pronounced "sequel"?
>
> Or do I have to skip that somewhat generic reference and call it a
> Microsoft SQL server database?
>
> Thanks!
> Donna
>
>
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Re: [TCP] A or An?

[Sue Heim]

I do "a SQL Server database." I don't know anyone who says "S-Q-L Server",
they all say "sequel Server".

BTW, the correct name is SQL Server (note the initial cap on "Server"). :)
...sue



On 7/29/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I'd say "an SQL server ..."
>
> > Just wondering what others have done. When using the term "SQL server
> > database," do you use the word "a" or the word "an"? In other words, is
> > it typically pronounced S-Q-L, or is it pronounced "sequel"?
> >
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] [stclwrsig-l] Justifying STC

[Sue Heim]

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."
>
>
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Re: [TCP] [stclwrsig-l] Justifying STC

[Sue Heim]

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.
>
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Re: [TCP] Documentum

[Sue Heim]

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.
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Re: [TCP] ArborText Question

[Sue Heim]

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?
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Document Control Systems tcp@techcommpros.com

[Sue Heim]

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 
> 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
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] California Association of Teachers of English

[Sue Heim]

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
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Re: [TCP] STC Refugees (was Re: New User Introduction)

[Sue Heim]

Lisa, I subscribe to this list to discuss issues. I do not read blogs to
discuss issues. If you are flat out saying "do not discuss STC here", then I
think I may not be in the right place. Please do not force us to discuss
certain issues here and other issues on a blog. (Sorry, I absolutely refuse
to discuss anything, even cats, on a blog!)

...sue




On 1/4/08, Lisa Gielczyk (TCP ADMIN) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I'm going to answer both Bill and Sue at the same time. There have
> only been two times that I've seen a mass exodus of people
> unsubscribing from the TCP list, and both times, it was because people
> were hashing out STC issues. I want to provide a place where people
> can talk about STC and other tough issues, but not at the expense of
> the list.
>
> People who are interested in the topic can discuss it through the
> comments on the blog. This is a different function than the TCPwiki,
> which, for one thing, is a place where final answers can be recorded,
> so that people don't have to wade through the list archives or blog
> comments to find the resolution to a question.
>
> So, please, if you want to discuss STC, do it on a TCPblog. As other
> topics more suitable to a TCPblog emerge, I will let you know.
>
> Thanks for your cooperation!
>
> Lisa Gielczyk
> TCP Administrator
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 4, 2008 11:42 AM, Bill Swallow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Shouldn't it be hashed through first?
> >
> > On Jan 4, 2008 12:38 PM, 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.
> >
> > --
> > Bill Swallow
> > HATT List Owner
> > WWP-Users List Owner
> > Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
> > STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager
> > http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
> >
>
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Re: [TCP] STC Refugees (was Re: New User Introduction)

[Sue Heim]

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
> >
> >
>
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Re: [TCP] STC Refugees (was Re: New User Introduction)

[Sue Heim]

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.
> >
> > 
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[TCP] STC Refugees (was Re: New User Introduction)

[Sue Heim]

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.
>
> 
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Re: [TCP] Cross posting and duplicate messages

[Sue Heim]

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.
>
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Re: [TCP] Technical Writer blog

[Sue Heim]

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
>
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Re: [TCP] quotes misquoted in articles

[Sue Heim]

Isn't that a little suit happy? Can't the speaker contact the someone and
ask for clarification of the entire point?

BTW, copyright is proven only if you can prove WHEN you first provided the
content for public consumption.

...sue


On 12/4/07, Dick Margulis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Lisa Gielczyk (TCP) wrote:
> > It's a theology article. Someone is quoting a sermon out of context,
> > making it look like the speaker was making one theological point when,
> > in context, he was making a different theological point.
> >
> >
>
> That's a violation of copyright law. The speaker has an inherent
> copyright in his original words. Misappropriating them this was is a
> violation. If the preacher (even now) were to register the copyright
> with the Library of Congress, he or she could find a lawyer who would be
> happy to sue the pants off the person doing the misquoting.
>
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Documentation Delivery: Print or CD?

[Sue Heim]

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
> > __
> >
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Re: [TCP] Documentation Delivery: Print or CD?

[Sue Heim]

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
> __
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Re: [TCP] Documentation Delivery: Print or CD?

[Sue Heim]

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
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Re: [TCP] Personality types at work (was: Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences

[Sue Heim]

Actually, this company recruited me. And they hired me knowing there wasn't
a snowball's chance that I would relocate. So my employment was predicated
on my working remotely. If they wanted me, that was something they had to
deal with, and they did.

...sue


On 11/27/07, McLauchlan, Kevin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>  
>
> But maybe, for example, your nature steered you toward employment at a
> company where the conditions were already pretty much in place, where a more
> introverted person might not have known what to look for during the
> interviews (if they even knew there _*was*_ something to look for).
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Personality types at work (was: Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences

[Sue Heim]

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).
> 
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Re: [TCP] High Tech Management

[Sue Heim]

As always, it depends.

Progressive companies, and yes, there are high tech companies that are NOT
progressive, tend to value the people they have working for them. This means
that they are more likely to have leaders in management positions, than
managers who don't know how to lead.

In the past six years I've worked for three different high tech companies:

Company A: Startup company. Ego driven, boys' club executive staff. Frequent
turnover (almost annual purging). Poor morale. Amazing company is still in
business.

Company B: Startup company acquired by very large company. Less of a boys'
club, but intentionally hiring managers who are more interested in building
their own domains and setting process (even if that process is detrimental
to the growth of that division). Product is stagnating, morale is not high,
people stay for various reasons (stock options, lazy, whatever).

Company C: Startup company. No boys' club, no egos. Morale high. Managers
are leaders and work to train those coming up the ranks. Executive staff
cares about staff. Very important to hire the right person for open
positions.

All three are high tech companies, and my experience in all three was wildly
different.

...sue


On 11/26/07, Beth Agnew <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> In talking about telecommuting, there were various comments about
> different bosses being more or less amenable to staff working remotely.
> Others mentioned that they had encountered bad bosses, while some of us
> have escaped that particular torture. Just wondrin', then, if anything
> has changed about management in the high tech industry since I left that
> 9 to 5 grind for academia 5 years ago.
>
> It had been my experience that many high tech managers were promoted
> based on their technical skills rather than their people skills. It's
> long been my contention that middle managers and above need far less
> technical expertise, and more project management, communication, and
> interpersonal skills. Few companies saw it that way.
>
> Do your companies have managers or leaders? Leadership in high tech
> management ranks used to be pretty scarce, meaning that I didn't
> encounter many role models with integrity, good values, commitment, and
> ability to inspire their staff.
>
> Is the quality of management improving, or is it one more thing that no
> one has time for anymore?
>
> --Beth
>
> Beth Agnew,
> Professor, Technical Communication
> Seneca College, Toronto
>
>
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences

[Sue Heim]

No, it's actually go more to do with making an effort. As I said, I'm
*mostly* 100% remote. That means that I do go up to our Bay Area office now
and again. Lately, more now than again, but on average once every month or
so.

I'm a bit of an extrovert, and people respond to that. When I show up in the
office, people wander by to say hi and talk to me. They know I live in San
Diego, many of them are coming for a visit or have been here or have
relatives who live here. So they seek me out.

I also make a point to make the rounds or stop and say hi when I wander by
someone's office.

I'm friendly. People like that. One of the other writers? She sits behind
her closed office door all day.

So, who do YOU think has a better relationship? The writer who is physically
in the office every day but hides behind closed doors, or the one who is in
the office rarely but who makes an effort to befriend people?

...sue


On 11/26/07, Jones, Donna <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Sue Heim wrote:
>
> > In fact, I'd say I'm more successful than the on-site writer.
> > I'm quite visible, have a great working relationship with
> > several VPs (which astonishes those writers who are not remote),
> > as well as others with whom I work closely (including several
> > remote developers as well as on-site folks).
>
>
> That statement made me think of something. There are a few people who I
> have a relatively good working relationship with primarily because I
> don't see them often. The writers who see them almost daily usually want
> to strangle them or at least to slap them around a little.
>
> The bad thing about working remotely is that you don't get to see
> certain people as often. The good thing about working remotely is that
> you don't have to see certain other people as often.
>
> 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.
>
> __
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Re: [TCP] Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences

[Sue Heim]

No, it doesn't miss the point. If you work in a progressive company that
recognizes the value of excellent employees who may not want to relocate,
there is no need for "serendipity and unplanned encounters." I've been quite
successful working remotely. In fact, I'd say I'm more successful than the
on-site writer. I'm quite visible, have a great working relationship with
several VPs (which astonishes those writers who are not remote), as well as
others with whom I work closely (including several remote developers as well
as on-site folks).

If you work for a company who does not consider the value of telecommuting,
or you are not the type of person who can discipline yourself to work at
home, then obviously, it's not for you. But saying "you must be in the
office to be successful" or you must be in the office at 5am to greet the
president (WTH?), is, well, total baloney.

...sue

On 11/23/07, McLauchlan, Kevin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> On Behalf Of Jones, Donna said:
>
> > Face time is good, but you can achieve "presence" over the phone and
> via
> > e-mail as well. Respond to e-mail quickly, and be prepared to speak up
> > if you're participating in a meeting by phone. That makes people
> realize
> > that you're out there.
>
> But this misses the point about serendipity and unplanned encounters.
>
> Craig (I think) mentioned being seen and greeted by honchos whom you
> wouldn't normally encounter if the encounters were not accidental. Ok,
> so it's not an accident that you are in the hall to greet the boss
> before sunup, but I'm contrasting that with deliberately arranged
> meetings where it's deliberate on both sides.
>
> Invariably, individual phone calls are between individuals (duh  :-) )
> thus kinda precluding the people walking by in the hall from hearing
> your voice or knowing that it's you (who?) on the other end of the line.
> They don't see much of your face, either. Perhaps if you remotely hacked
> all their computers and substituted your passport photo for their
> desktop wallpaper?
>
> Conference calls will involve more people, and often involve a group
> congregating around a speakerphone, but you are still talking to only
> the select group who were gathered for that meeting/call. You remain
> invisible and unheard by anyone who's not in the room with the
> speakerphone... like the owner of the company. Or, like the guy who took
> over your parking spot because, well, it was always empty anyway.
>
> You could raise your profile by, say, parachuting into the company
> picnic ... unless it was our company, where the picnic area is directly
> under the 750,000-volt regional power lines... that would _really_ raise
> your profile, but only once... but I digress.   :-)
>
> Perhaps you should arrive early for your infrequent physical visits, so
> you have time to pass out the premium Belgian chocolate that you
> brought, or the ingratiating goodies that you stayed up baking past
> midnight.
>
> I'll shut up now. I'm getting hungry.
>
> Kevin
>
> 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.
>
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Ge

Re: [TCP] Telecommuting has mostly positive consequences

[Sue Heim]

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.
>
>
>
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> technol

Re: [TCP] Interesting stuff for online help tools

[Sue Heim]

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
> .  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)
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Re: [TCP] (no subject)

[Sue Heim]

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.
> --
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Re: [TCP] Any fixes for RH 2000 with Word 2007 on XP?

[Sue Heim]

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
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Response from Adobe** RE: Upgrade Anger to Tech CommSuite.

[Sue Heim]

OK, then let me rephrase this.

Adobe's upgrade policy is 30 days (buy something within 30 days and you'll
get the upgrade free).

The original poster bought something seven weeks prior to the new product
suite being available.

What should Adobe do? Say "OK, for you, we'll allow 30 days plus 19 days and
give you credit for your purchase"?

If they do that, what about the next person, who purchased their product
seven weeks plus one day before the release of the other product. Do they
then ask for special dispensation from Adobe? And then the next person, who
purchased eight weeks earlier. And then... and then... at that point should
they just say "OK, we'll give this new product free to anyone who bought
this other product in the past year"?

At one point does any company who is in business stop and draw the line?

If the original poster had a $50K site license, then yeah, I think that
maybe Adobe might make some compensation available. But for a single user?
Where should any business, who is IN BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY, draw the line?

Personally, yeah, I'd be a bit upset if I'd just paid something and
something new and better came out later on. I might even try to see if I
could get a special discount or something. I certainly wouldn't go to a
professional list and start posting about bad business practices when, in
fact, Adobe was following basic Business 101 practices.

That's the risk you take when you purchase anything. Heck, if I went out and
bought leggings tomorrow, odds are high that they'll be out of fashion in
seven weeks. D'ya think I could return 'em as being unfashionable?  

...sue
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Re: [TCP] Response from Adobe** RE: Upgrade Anger to Tech CommSuite.

[Sue Heim]

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.
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Upgrade Anger to Tech Comm Suite.

[Sue Heim]

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
>
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Re: [TCP] What happened to the tech writers of the dotcom era?

[Sue Heim]

Or it depends on where you live and work. We didn't really notice a downturn
in the number of jobs being advertised for "technical communicators" here.
So the dotcom bust was, to some of us, a thing that was taking place
elsewhere and didn't really affect us. Other places, like the Bay Area, it
was much more obvious that there were too many applying for the same few
jobs.

In that type of environment, survival of the fittest is key. In this case,
if you're good you'll continue to have work. Almost everyone I know who were
downsized, and who are good, were back working in almost no time. Jobs are
still plentiful and the money is still good.

...sue




On 11/12/07, Harkness, Holly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Some of it was temporary. The money was great and the jobs were
> plentiful.
> A lot of people came into the field in the 1990s and early 2000s.
> Where did they all go? Maybe some of them are still struggling to find a
> job.
> Others may have decided to go home and write that great American novel.
> Or they simply went back to what they were doing before they became tech
> writers: being chemists, teachers, nurses, carpenters, x-ray
> technicians.
>
> On the other hand . . .
> Because of the nature of what we do, our profession is a launching pad
> for many different types of careers.
>
> Some tech writers from the 1990s became interested in usability and now
> consider themselves user experience professionals.
> They might have chosen to join an organization that related more
> directly to that field.
>
> Others moved into instructional design, programming, web design,
> marketing, product design, quality assurance, etc.
>
> Holly Harkness
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Behalf Of Gene Kim-Eng
> Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 5:36 PM
> To: TCP@techcommpros.com
> Subject: Re: [TCP] Does STC only care about itself?
>
> Do technical writers cease to think of themselves as
> technical writers because they've had to take different
> jobs due fluctuations in the employment landscape?
> Or was the larger membership temporary and due to
> sign-ups of newbies who got one writer job and
> immediately assumed that they were set in a new
> career for life, then bailed when the bubble burst?
> If it's the latter, I suppose we're probably better off
> without their memberships.
>
> Gene Kim-Eng
>
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Does STC only care about itself?

[Sue Heim]

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
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Does STC only care about itself?

[Sue Heim]

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
>
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Re: [TCP] Does STC only care about itself?

[Sue Heim]

I'm not going to go into why I disagree with most of Holly's point. I will,
however, address these:

"Fourth, I don't know of any chapter or community that restricts its
presentations or webinars to STC members only.
Our programs in Atlanta are designed to attract people from our
profession as a whole. Competitions are open to non-members as well."

And that has to do with what exactly? If I don't have to be a member to
attend these events, then why SHOULD I be a member?

"My employers have always been impressed that I am a member and encourage
my activity in the organization."

Funny, MY employers have always been impressed with the work that I do, and
my involvement in the help authoring community. Although three of my last
three employers would pay my membership fee, I declined.

Finally, just because you are a member of STC doesn't mean you can actually
do your job. I've interviewed countless people who are active members who,
well, heck, I won't comment since I can't say anything nice. Just because
you (or your employer) has paid your membership dues doesn't mean you are a
qualified "technical communicator." (BTW, why did you pick on my usage
of "technical writing." Semantics. Seriously.)

I don't drink the Kool-Aid. Sorry, but I just don't. I do see improvements.
But not a single one of your "arguments" are enough to want me to re-up. In
fact, most of what you mentioned should have been done years ago, or else
don't apply to me (the publications, for example, didn't really provide much
for me). So the current leadership is finally doing something about what we
do. For some of us, it may be too little too late.

Again, we ARE entitled to our own opinions. I would prefer to see someone
respond who's not in an active leadership role.

...sue
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Re: [TCP] OT Vent re: STC

[Sue Heim]

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)
>
>
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Re: [TCP] OT Vent re: STC

[Sue Heim]

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.

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.

...sue



On 11/11/07, John Posada <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > I was a member for more than 10 years - while I was a member, I
>
> I'm aware
>
> > complained about the pricing structure and was treated, for
> > the most part, like garbage for daring to raise the issue.
> > When it was finally corrected, the local Admin Council acted
> > as if they alone had thought of the problem and solved it.
>
> So you are upset not about STC and how they handled tiered
> membership, but because they bruised your ego.
>
> > I was the first convention coordinator. In the middle of
> > organizing the convention coordinator, I decided to pull
> > out for a variety of reasons...I attended the second
> > convention - again, not a word of appreciation
> > for the efforts I'd put in.
>
> So, you pulled out in the middle of a committment, probably left them
> scrambling to find a replacement, and you wanted to be recognized for
> your effort?
>
> > I was Acting President and tried to get STC national to
> > recognize and do things in Israel to justify the tremendous
> > amount of money they were taking from our membership - nothing.
>
> Maybe they didn't agree with your position. That happens.
>
> > The complaint - you don't have a say unless you are a member
> > doesn't work -
>
> Yeah...it does. You don't agree with it, but others do
>
> > because I was a member and had complaints and they were ignored
> > consistently for 10 years. I gave STC enough of my money and my
>
> It's not a bank. You don't deposit time for withdrawl as complaints
> later after you leave. You get involved, you push for change. You
> withdraw, you watch from the sidelines
>
>
> I could go back and forth on the rest of the issues, but I think you
> aren't going to agree with my logic. Therefore, I'll just say that I
> maintain my position.
>
> John Posada
> Senior Technical Writer
>
> "They say everyone needs goals. Mine is to live forever.
> So far, so good."
>
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Re: [TCP] Upgrade Anger to Tech Comm Suite.

[Sue Heim]

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
>
>
> __
>
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>
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Re: [TCP] Upgrade Anger to Tech Comm Suite.

[Sue Heim]

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
>
> __
>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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Re: [TCP] ADMIN Re: Postings on TCP are being archived by another service

[Sue Heim]

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
>
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Re: [TCP] Postings on TCP are being archived by another service

[Sue Heim]

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.
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Postings on TCP are being archived by another service

[Sue Heim]

Hi Lisa,

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...

Thanks!
...sue




On 10/15/07, Lisa Gielczyk (TCP ADMIN) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Hi Rhonda,
>
> I did set up this archive service, because it has a search feature. I
> didn't know about that button at the bottom that links to the poster's
> email address. I'll check into it further.
>
> Thanks for letting me know!
>
> Warm regards,
> Lisa G.
>
>
> On 10/15/07, Rhonda Bracey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Hi Lisa et al
> >
> > I don't know if this is official or not, but I just got a Google Alert
> > for a posting I made on TCP, which is reproduced here:
> > http://www.mail-archive.com/tcp@techcommpros.com/msg02418.html.
> >
> > I guess of most concern is that the "Email" button at the bottom of the
> > post opens Outlook with my address plain to see... Even though the body
> > of the message has "[EMAIL PROTECTED]".
> >
> > Is this an official copy, or is someone harvesting the TCP messages
> > without your knowledge?
> >
> > I know that Bill Swallow had a bit of a fight with something similar for
> > HATT a few months back. Don't know if it's the same 'service' or not.
> >
> > 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.
> >
> >
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> > ___
> >
> > 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
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> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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> >
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> >
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> >
>
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Re: [TCP] Help Systems

[Sue Heim]

Note that I said IMPORT. I didn't say roundtrip!  (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! )

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! 

...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]
>
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Re: [TCP] Help Systems

[Sue Heim]

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.

...Sue


On 10/9/07, Susan Newton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
> Hello:
> I have been out of the on-line help world for a number of years now and
> need some information on the latest tools people are using.  We have a
> number of Windows-based products that need some kind of on-line help
> solution.  We have used RoboHelp for some products and DreamWeaver for
> others.  Our help is translated into 14 languages, including Chinese.
>
> Ideally, it would be great to have a single source solution, so we can
> deliver PDFs as well as help systems.  However, we are constrained by a
> tight budget, so I'm not sure how much we can invest in tools.  We
> currently use FrameMaker 7 and Adobe Acrobat 7.We are looking into
> delivering the PDF as the on-line help, perhaps using bookmarks to make it
> more context sensitive.
>
> I'd appreciate any ideas on strategies and tools that people have.
>
>
> Regards,
> Sue
>
> Susan S Newton
> Learning Products Developer
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Re: [TCP] Mailing Lists

[Sue Heim]

The lists I'm on, that are WORK RELATED, have been narrowed down
considerably in recent years (for example, I bailed on techwhirlers years
ago because the noise to value receive ratio was too high).

I'm active on:
HATT
Authorit-Users
U-TEST (closed group don't ask me about it )

I own and moderate:
FlareChat
MacromediaChat

I mostly lurk on:
Agile-Usability
SAN-CHI
Apple-Help-Authoring

I receive the weekly:
Word Tips


...sue




On 10/5/07, Gordon McLean <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Rhona's recent reply to another thread got me thinking. She said: "I heard
> the phrase "cleaning up after elephants can be lucrative" on the STC Lone
> Writers or CIC SIG lists the other day - it was so evocative that it
> stuck."
>
> (I'm thinking about the lists, not the elephants, just to be clear).
>
> I'm constantly aware that there may be other resources out there that I've
> not yet found, but I'm particularly keen to hear what (professional)
> mailing
> lists people are members of.
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Re: [TCP] Any good free web design software for sales manual?

[Sue Heim]

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... 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.
> >
> > 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
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> >
> >
> > Interactive 3D Documentation
> > Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com
> > ___
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> >
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>
>
>
> --
> 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!
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Re: [TCP] Any good free web design software for sales manual?

[Sue Heim]

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
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Re: [TCP] Best software for a training manual?

[Sue Heim]

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!! )

...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

Re: [TCP] Scrumming blog

[Sue Heim]

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)
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Scrumming blog

[Sue Heim]

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
>
> 
>
>
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Re: [TCP] css tutorials

[Sue Heim]

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~
> >
>
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] JOBS: Two full-time permanent positions, remote preferred

[Sue Heim]

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!!!



...sue
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[TCP] JOBS: Two full-time permanent positions, remote preferred

[Sue Heim]

*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]

* *
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Re: [TCP] Textaholic / emailaholics - how do you keep it from taking over?

[Sue Heim]

I just sat down and counted my email addresses: Oddly enough, I've got five
personal and three business. Of the five personal, three are primary. Of the
two business, two are primary.

I think I need to feng shui my life! :)

...sue


On 8/20/07, Bill Swallow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > So here's the question:  What do you do to manage the overflow of
> > electronic messaging so that it doesn't eat up your day and
> > productivity?
>
> Those who know me will say this is an understatement... I am connected.
> ;-)
>
> I have four primary e-mail addresses. One's devoted to work, one's
> devoted to my profession (this one), one is for tying together all of
> my personal contacts, and another just for fun. I use Gmail for the
> fun and professional one, and make good use of filters and archiving.
> I don't have to read everything that comes in, but in a pinch I can
> use Gmail's search to get at what I need.
>
> I'm subscribed to well over 40 listservs, so Gmail has saved my butt
> with regard to staying productive. ;-)
>
> And then of course I use a RSS reader for blog and web site content
> aggregation. My cell phone is my primary phone, and much of it comes
> via txt, which is highly convenient (combined with caller ID) because
> I can read them as I have time. If someone really needs to reach me,
> they can call.
>
> --
> Bill Swallow
> HATT List Owner
> WWP-Users List Owner
> Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter
> STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager
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Re: [TCP] Textaholic / emailaholics - how do you keep it from takingover?

[Sue Heim]

LOL. I'd have to turn off my phones and Trillian, too. If I received an
email and didn't answer it fast enuf, they come looking for me. Of course,
my situation is a bit different (I'm training writers, working with the UI
and usability teams, managing my own deliverables...).

...sue



On 8/20/07, Rhonda Bracey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Hi Carla
>
> If you're using Outlook, you can turn off the email notification thing.
> That may stop the urge to check every time an email comes in.
>
> And there's a guy out there now proclaiming the 4-hour work week (Tim
> Ferriss). One thing he does is read/respond to email once a week and at
> a prescribed time. To quote from an interview he did on CNN: "To avoid
> wasting time on business e-mail, I check it only an hour each Monday. I
> weaned myself from logging in, starting by turning off the audible alert
> and looking at it twice a day, at noon and 4. Then I reduced the
> frequency. I never log into e-mail first thing in the morning."
> (http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/04/magazines/fsb/4_hour_week.fsb/index.htm
> )
>
> Website: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/
>
> Podcast from SxSW conference:
> http://2007.sxsw.com/blogs/podcasts.php/2007/03/19/the_4_hour_workweek_s
> ecrets_of_doing_mor
>
> Of course, there's lots of other stuff he does that supports that 'one
> hour a week' thing which you may not be able to do. But some of his
> principles and tips may work for you.
>
> Rhonda
>
>
> Rhonda Bracey
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://www.cybertext.com.au
> AuthorIT Certified Consultant
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Behalf Of Martinek, Carla
> Sent: Tuesday, 21 August 2007 12:01 AM
> To: tcp@techcommpros.com
> Subject: [TCP] Textaholic / emailaholics - how do you keep it from
> takingover?
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Melissa Nelson
> > My niece is a textaholic. I have to say I find it a bit annoying
> because
> > she will check her text messages every other minute when we do
> something. :)
>
> This makes a great transition into another subject, relevant to our
> jobs.
>
> I'm subscribed to multiple lists (applications, dita, stc, tech
> writing...) and if I were to try and keep up with all of the postings on
> every list, I'd go absolutely bonkers.
>
> So here's the question:  What do you do to manage the overflow of
> electronic messaging so that it doesn't eat up your day and
> productivity?
>
> For me, I use filters in my mail.  LOTS and LOTS of filters and folders
> for sorting.
>
> Mail from coworkers is usually project-related, and it gets read
> relatively soon, usually within an hour.  If it's something from a list,
> I may not read it until lunchtime, or I may just mark all messages as
> "read" because there aren't any subject lines in the folder that pique
> my interest.  (One prime reason for keeping subject lines current to the
> actual discussion!!)  Some of the lists I have very little to do on, but
> for various reasons I want to keep up on what's happening there because
> it does affect my job in some small way.
>
> I've also worked hard to purge the urge to respond to everyone's
> questions on lists. Yes, I may know the answer, but there's probably 20
> others who also know it. I first check to see if my answer would be
> *unique* before I take the time to craft a response.  If it isn't,
> there's no reason to post a "me too" response.
>
> And finally, I try *not* to jump to my email every time I get a
> notification of a new email.  :-)  That's darn hard, but it can be done.
> If I'm really in crunch time, I'll close my email application altogether
> and only open it once an hour or so, just to check work messages.
>
> -Carla
>
>
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Re: [TCP] Friday nuttiness...

[Sue Heim]

Yup! I'm not a geek :)
...sue




On 8/20/07, Char James-Tanny <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > My work revolves around technology. My life is involved in technology
> And I
> > quite enjoy it.
>
> And she'll tell you that she's not a geek ;-)
>
> 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.)
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> --
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> STC Secretary, 2006-2008
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>
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Re: [TCP] Friday nuttiness...

[Sue Heim]

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!
>
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Re: [TCP] Friday nuttiness...

[Sue Heim]

I can give you a bunch of reasons:

1. When I commuted via train... it was much easier to carry on brief convos
via texting and I didn't bother other riders.

2. When I dated a blind man, who would get up at 3am to go work in his
orchards. He'd text me messages of things he thought (what we were gonna do
that weekend, dinner that night, whatever). Since his world was always dark,
the time was irrelevant (and it was cooler to work in the middle of the
night). But he knew *I* needed my sleep.

3. When you want to send a quick message to someone. Maybe that person isn't
currently on IM, or maybe you aren't.

4. When you want to let someone know something, and you want 'em to know
now, but you don't want to interrupt them with a phone call.

I text message a lot. A friend who lives in MV texts me all the time. If
he's on the road and not on IM, or having lunch somewhere, and is thinking
of me, we text. If my manager is thinking of something she forgot to tell me
and she's at the docs, we text. If I'm thinking of someone, I'll text.

Granted, texting using my Blackberry is easier than with my RaZR, but if you
do it enough you get used to it and can type quite quickly. Plus, there's
the little acronyms and shortcuts (although they didn't work so well for
blind beau, since the reader on his Palm would pronounce the letters if it
didn't recognize the words -- he always had to stop and think about "c u sn"
or "lvg now").

...sue


On 8/17/07, Rick Stone <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> Personally, I'm very curious about the whole text messaging phenomenon.
> I mean, how is it remotely possible that text messaging is simpler to
> accomplish than simply dialing up the other person and speaking? E-Mail,
> I somewhat understand, as it seems fairly simple to type on a full
> keyboard. But on the surface, it seems that text messaging is quite a
> bit more difficult, as you are mostly limited to the tiny phone keypad.
>
> Is there anyone among us that can explain the allure? What am I missing?
>
> Cheers... Rick :)
>
> Bonnie Granat wrote:
> > There's a market for old phones, I believe, so you can probably find
> one.
> >
> >
> > Bonnie Granat
> > http://www.GranatEdit.com
>
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Re: [TCP] Day Communique

[Sue Heim]

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
>
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Re: [TCP] Ventura files

[Sue Heim]

Good gawd, are people STILL USING Ventura Publisher? The VP 2.0 user's guide
was the first manual I ever worked on as a tech writer!!!

AFAIK, there isn't any way to convert the files. Your best bet would be to
ask the chaplaincy group to save the files as an .rtf each time they send
you something.

...sue


On 8/2/07, Jones, Donna <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> If I don't have Ventura Publisher, is there something open source that I
> can use to open or convert a .PUB file? I have Word and FrameMaker, but
> they can't open the file. One of my coworkers has an old version of
> Ventura, but I don't want to have to bug him whenever someone from my
> chaplaincy group sends me a file that I can't open.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Donna
>
> - CONFIDENTIAL-
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Re: [TCP] How long should a resume be?

[Sue Heim]

Your examples don't prove the pudding, John. The one you could've brought up
during the interview and ditto with the other one. I don't put the fact that
I worked in ad agencies for years on my resume. During the interview,
though, if marketing collaterals come up, I'll mention it.

What works for you may work just fine. But you have two hiring managers here
who've told you "um, nope, don't read 'em if they are that long."

...sue


On 8/1/07, John Posada <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > There are some jobs that will only be filled by people with detailed
> resumes
> > that are several pages long. Professorships, ambassadors billets and
> > specialized gigs like the ones John manages to land come to mind. My
> guess
> > is that John is really good at audience analysis and he writes his
> resume
> > accordingly. It works for him, but not everyone will benefit by using a
> five
> > page resume for all TW job openings. Probably, most TW job openings
> warrant
> > a two-page resume.
>
> Tom...thanks, don't know if what you say is true or not.
>
> However, let me give you two examples that make me include as many details
> as I can about me and avoid the "tailored" resumes when applying for a gig.
>
> 1) I interviewed for a position at Avaya Communication. The job
> description was for process documentation...Visio, Word, etc. I get there
> and during the interview, the person noticed that 12 years before that, I'd
> been in sales. The deal was clinched...turned out, the gig was to document
> the automation of the complete quote-to-cash sales process, and NOWHERE in
> the job req was sales experience mentioned.
>
> 2) Here at EMC..when it was discovered that I had the UNIX experience,
> moved me up several notches...some of our apps are installed on UNIX,
> nowhere was UNIX mentioned.
>
> So, no...between real-life instances where a very detailed resume got me
> gigs, vs several people saying "I don't like resumes longer than two pages",
> I'll go with what has worked for me in the past.
>
> John Posada
> Senior Technical Writer
>
> "They say everyone needs goals. Mine is to live forever.
> So far, so good."
>
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Re: [TCP] Resume writing and editing

[Sue Heim]

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-
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> 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.
> __
>
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>
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Author Help file

Re: [TCP] Resume writing and editing

[Sue Heim]

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-
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Re: [TCP] How long should a resume be?

[Sue Heim]

Not only do you not need to give gory details about each position you've
held, you don't need to even include every position you've held. I go back
10 years. I include one final item that covers the first 10 years (I've been
doing this for almost 20 years). That final item just lists various other
companies but no details.

Really, odds are very high that I'll toss a five pager. If you can't give me
two pages, nice tight and concise writing, how are you gonna give me a
manual with the same? We actually don't get paid by the word any longer,
yes?  (And words cost money when you take into account localization!)

...sue



On 8/1/07, Jones, Donna <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> John Posada wrote:
>
> > > 1. How long is your resume?
>
> > Five pages
>
>
> For any given job that you might want to apply for, does the hiring
> manager really need to know five pages worth of stuff? If you repeat a
> lot of the same skills under each job, move them to a bulleted list of
> your skills in a heading called something like, "Professional Writing
> Skills."
>
> You don't need to give gory details about each position you've held,
> just a summary of each so someone might be interested enough to call you
> in for an interview. If I was going to hire someone, I can't say that I
> would even skim past a second page. (Ugh. Too tedious. Into the garbage
> can with it.)
>
> Just my semi-professional 2 cents worth,
>
> Donna
>
> - CONFIDENTIAL-
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>
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Re: [TCP] How long should a resume be?

[Sue Heim]

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
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Re: [TCP] User testing and focus groups...

[Sue Heim]

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
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Re: [TCP] most popular

[Sue Heim]

You totally missed my point. I said I'd take the stats provided by WritersUA
surveys with a grain of salt because many of the people there are those who
do software user assistance and were part of WinWriters back when we were
writing Windows software docs. IIRC part of the reason the name was changed
from WinWriters to WritersUA was that UA folks were not just writing Windows
software help files any more... we were doing Web-based help for x-platform
apps, Web sites, usability, and more.

And I don't know about you or anyone else here, but I don't JUST write
online help. I create printed documentation, quick start guides, write UI
text, run usability tests, work with focus groups, help QA test. If you want
to be known by a single description, that's your option. But I think user
assistance works for me. (It's one reason I've never called myself a
technical writer... I do not write technical documentation, I write user
documentation. Big difference.)

I think this discussion has gone on far enough. I was merely pointing out
that if you are going to use statistics from a group of people who started
as software online help authors, then you may want to take the results with
a grain of salt. Similarly, if you want to find out how many people author
online help, you probably aren't going to pay significant attention to stats
from a Framemaker site ( tool that was created for and is used primarily for
print docs).

...sue


On 7/17/07, Dan Goldstein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Hi Sue,
>
> So if user assistance professionals are all online help authors, let's
> call ourselves "online help authors."
>
> Part of an online help author's job is to use clear, accurate
> terminology. We could start with the job title.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
>
> > -Original Message-
> > From: Sue Heim
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 10:44 AM
> > To: Dan Goldstein
> > Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com
> > Subject: 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
> >
>
> This message contains confidential information intended only for the use
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>
>
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Re: [TCP] most popular

[Sue Heim]

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
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Re: [TCP] most popular

[Sue Heim]

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?
>
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Re: [TCP] Software Manual

[Sue Heim]

I include almost all screen shots in the printed (PDF) documentation.
Depending on your audience, the user may not have the software application
running. So screen shots, in this instance, are essential. A good example is
the CIO of a company may be looking at your product to see if it'll solve
potential security issues. He or she will be reading your docs on the plane.
Without context (screen shots), the docs can be difficult to understand.

I do NOT include screen shots in the online help (well, there are a few
exceptions such as the main app window, icons, and so on).

As far as whether online help can replace printed docs, that depends on your
users. In most of my 20 years of doing this (well, OK, 15 with online help),
I've found that when we did not include the user's guide, people howled. And
so we provided both online and print (PDF) docs. Generally, the help will
install with the app while the UG can be downloaded from the Web site or be
installed.

Another thing to note... there is some information that is irrelvante in
online help but is required in print. Information such as how to install the
product, for example. So if you do not have, at the least, a separate
installation guide, you're actually gonna confuse your users. Do they need
to install the app to find out how to install it? So, my general rule of
thumb is:

1. Printed documentation includes installation; includes screen shots; does
not include c-s help
2. Online help includes c-s help; does not include installation; does not
include screen shots

YMMV. Natch.
...sue



On 7/16/07, Johnson, Joyce <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
> Hi All -
>
> What should be included in a software manual?
>
> This may seem like a simple question, but a colleague of mine has a very
> different opinion than mine on exactly what the contents of a software
> manual should include, so I'm asking the experts.
>
> How do you feel about screen captures in a software manual? Are they
> essential or can you do without them?
>
> Do you think online help can replace a software manual?
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Joyce
>
>
>
> Joyce Johnson
> Lead Technical Writer
> AmerisourceBergen Solutions Group
> 875 Woodlands Parkway
> Vernon Hills, IL  60061
> 847/808-5875
>
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Re: [TCP] PDF links all over the place...

[Sue Heim]

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]
> 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.)
>
>
>
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Re: [TCP] most popular

[Sue Heim]

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!" ).

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"! 

...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]
>  Israel   ?
>
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[TCP] Request on cross postings

[Sue Heim]

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
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Re: [TCP] Article: Houston, We Have a Shuttle Typo

[Sue Heim]

Actually, that's not that bad. Seriously. The sign was made with EN
spelling, even though the name of the shuttle honors the UK. Heck, I
misspell EN and UK stuff all the time (I dunno, but I always spell behavior
with a "u"  as in "behaviour").

...sue


On 7/13/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> NASA does it again!
>
> http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/070713_sts118_endeavour.html
>
> Happy Friday folks!
>
> ;)
> Arroxane
>
> 
> AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free
> from AOL at AOL.com.
> __
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Re: [TCP] Sue Heim's question about single sourcing

[Sue Heim]

Thanks Carol.

However... I do not use FrameMaker. In fact, it's one of my least favorite
tools! I know some peeps swear by it, not that there's anything wrong with
that, but I ain't one of 'em! :)

I use AuthorIT for content (single-sourcing, content management,
localization). My problem was... I have a week to "fix" the problem with
content that applies to one vendor NOT applying to the other vendor. Did I
have time to "do the right thing" and tear the topics apart (and rebuild
them into topics appropriate for the vendor's product), or can I figure out
something else. We ended up doing something else (basically, adding a note
at the top of those topics where the "Note" that didn't apply was; and kinda
doing an upsell at the same time).

Note that the advantage that I have (using AIT) is that, say I have a topic
with three paragraphs. All three paragraphs apply to one vendor, but the
other vendor uses only the first and third. If I tear that topic apart,
create three separate topics with the three paragraphs, and then create two
new topics with the bits embedded, well, then... I've got content reuse. And
don't have to "remember" to make changes in both books when something in
that topic changes. Making it once, to one of the embedded bits,
automatically makes the change in every place it's used. Unfortunately, I'm
under back to back deadlines right now, and taking the time to tear things
apart and rebuild 'em wasn't an option.

Which is why I posted that I was mulling how to resolve the problem. (Not
that I was looking for an answer, since I know what the correct answer was,
but was trying to figure out another "not the best but will work" solution
that'll get me thru till I have time -- time? what's THAT -- to implement
the correct solution! )

...sue



On 7/10/07, Carol Levine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Hi, Sue.
>
> Thanks to Donna and Carla, I set up single sourcing last year for
> documentation for, at the time, nine vendor platforms. Here's what I did:
>
> I created a folder for each vendor platform; each folder contains the
> vendor-specific FrameMaker book, table of contents, list of tables, and
> index files, as well as any vendor-specific files. I created another
> folder
> for the artwork and one for "Shared FrameMaker files".
>
> Each book contains the vendor-specific files plus any topics applicable to
> the vendor (I did some major 'chunking' of the original guide in order to
> accomplish this).
>
> Then, within each file, I applied conditional text as needed to
> *whole*sentences and paragraphs. I used to conditionalize within
> sentences, as in
> "The CanonRicohToshiba system ...". However, that was very hard to read
> and
> maintain. So, in some cases, I duplicated paragraphs and conditionalized
> for
> the vendor.
>
> In addition, because the workflow was different for licensing some of the
> machines, I created a unique licensing topic for each vendor, even though
> 95% of the content was identical. Those topics went in to the
> vendor-specific folder.
>
> In addition, at Carla and Donna's suggestions, I created a variables file
> for each vendor. It includes the information, such as vendor name and part
> number, that I use on each title page. The title page is in the shared
> files
> folder. When I generate a vendor book, I import the variables in the title
> page.
>
> I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me with additional questions.
>
> Carol
>
> *Sue's original e-mail*
> 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? 
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Re: [TCP] Back On Topic

[Sue Heim]

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? 

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!!
> >
> >
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Re: [TCP] I lost the battle but thoughts

[Sue Heim]

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!!! 

...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
>
>
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Re: [TCP] employee retention

[Sue Heim]

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
>
> __
>
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Re: [TCP] employee retention

[Sue Heim]

I think a lot depends on the company, the number of qualified local
applicants for a particular position, and the industry.

I've seen a lot on both ends... where companies really valued their
employees and did all they could to keep them. I've also been on the other
end, where the company essentially has a biannual "cleaning out" of staff
(mass amounts of people get fired or quit every two years). This company
essentially bribes those who remain to stay, but at some point, well...
money just doesn't buy happiness or job satisfaction.

There are a lot of companies who give lip service to employee job
satisfaction. Those surveys that quiz folks on how they think the company is
doing, and how they think management is doing, and ranking all sorts of b-s
stuff. Those work really well if the company actually does something about
them.

I think are looking up these days. At one point, after the dot bomb bust,
there was a plethora of qualified peeps for most positions. These days, all
the good ones are taken, and so companies are starting to think more along
the lines of "how do I get and keep good staff".

And boomerang employees have become more common in recent years, too. You
know, those who leave and then come back (usually without a loss in benefits
if the timing is right). I was a boomerang at one company.

...sue



On 6/13/07, Brierley, Sean <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
> I have not seen a lot of attempts at employee retention over the years.
> Do employers still value retaining employees?
>
> For example, having a tuition reimbursement policy is good, but telling
> employees that using it is against the company interests sort of negates
> the value other than having it as a check box.
>
> However, let me preface this discussion with a positive example of
> employee retention.
>
> My wife works for a smallish company (more than 50 employees tho). She's
> been there 10 years. Left for a year, and they welcomed her back. She's
> done all the jobs, knows the business, they've been keeping her
> interested. Even after all of that, they just gave a >10% raise AND a
> bonus. And, they (still) let her work from home twice a week. (That was
> one of the things they did for her to get her back after she left). She
> was not looking at leaving, btw.
>
> There's no such thing as a perfect employer, of course, but that's a
> nice way to approach retention of a valuable employee.
>
> Anyway, I have a feeling my placid, every-day, hum-drum routine is about
> to get a little less predictable. Thanks all for being a sounding board.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Sean
>
>
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S

[TCP] So is the "boss" always right?

[Sue Heim]

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! 

Just food for thought on a Wednesday Hump Day!
...sue
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Re: [TCP] graduate education not a benefit

[Sue Heim]

BTW, I do have a degree in Landscape Archicture. Not a Masters, though! :)

So there Pfftt! 

...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
>
>
>
> __
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Re: [TCP] graduate education not a benefit

[Sue Heim]

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.

Learning, by itself, incorporates a pretty broad spectrum, yes? What benefit
would a Masters in English Lit provide a computer software company? What
benefit would a Masters in Computer Networking provide a company who creates
standalone games (such as Solitaire)?

There would have to be a real advantage to an employer. Pursuing a graduate
degree on one's own would probably be a viable option. I dunno if it would
help, but it would provide a sense of self-satisfaction.

...sue


On 6/12/07, Dana Worley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> On Tuesday, June 12, 2007, Brierley, Sean wrote:
>
> > 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.
>
> That's ludicrous. How can *learning* be an activity that is "not in
> support of company goals"?
>
> That reminds me of the signs I saw once, "Just say NO to the
> library" when residents were facing a very small tax increase to fund
> a community library.
>
> Dana
>
>
> ***
> Dana Worley
> Software Product Manager/Manager, Software Support Group
> Campbell Scientific, Inc.
> Microsoft MVP, Windows Help
>
>
>
> __
>
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Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?

[Sue Heim]

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 *
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Re: [TCP] graduate education not a benefit

[Sue Heim]

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:
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Re: [TCP] How old is Tech Comm? (Was: Technical writers may shape future of American lit)

[Sue Heim]

Hey now!!! I just looked up the data in the book! I have no personal
knowledge You are so gonna pay when I see you!!! :)
...sue

P.S. Not fair, cause I'm stressing about upcoming birthday... 5-0 in three
weeks. ACK!


On 6/7/07, Wade Courtney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> It's as old as Sue!!!
>
> LOL
>
> On 6/7/07, Sue Heim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > I just checked... And here's some relevant notes...
> >
> > In 1904, one of the first 20th century technical writing courses was
> > mounted
> > at Tuft's College, "engineering English."
> > In 1911, one of the first known airplane flight manuals is written
> > In 1919, Ford releases a user's guide for the Model T (one of the first
> > examples of task-oriented writing and design for the auto industry).
> > In 1924, Ray Palmer Baker's "The Preparation of Technical Reports" is
> > published, an early tech writing text book.
> >
> > I could go on and on. I guess, suffice it to say, that the person who
> said
> > 50 years (sorry Dana! I deleted your post!) is quite wrong.
> >
> > ...sue
> >
> >
> >
> > On 6/7/07, Milan Davidovic <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > > On 6/7/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > > This debate has come up several times in several places: How old IS
> > > Technical Communication?
> > >
> > > I on the road so I can't consult my copy right now, but I believe
> > > Schriver's "Dynamics in Document Design" has something to say on this.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Milan Davidovic
> > > http://altmilan.blogspot.com
> > > http://www.terminus1525.ca/studio/view/2758
> > >
> > > __
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>
>
> --
> Wade Courtney
> North San Diego County
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>
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Re: [TCP] How old is Tech Comm? (Was: Technical writers may shape future of American lit)

[Sue Heim]

I just checked... And here's some relevant notes...

In 1904, one of the first 20th century technical writing courses was mounted
at Tuft's College, "engineering English."
In 1911, one of the first known airplane flight manuals is written
In 1919, Ford releases a user's guide for the Model T (one of the first
examples of task-oriented writing and design for the auto industry).
In 1924, Ray Palmer Baker's "The Preparation of Technical Reports" is
published, an early tech writing text book.

I could go on and on. I guess, suffice it to say, that the person who said
50 years (sorry Dana! I deleted your post!) is quite wrong.

...sue



On 6/7/07, Milan Davidovic <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> On 6/7/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > This debate has come up several times in several places: How old IS
> Technical Communication?
>
> I on the road so I can't consult my copy right now, but I believe
> Schriver's "Dynamics in Document Design" has something to say on this.
>
> --
> Milan Davidovic
> http://altmilan.blogspot.com
> http://www.terminus1525.ca/studio/view/2758
>
> __
>
> Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help.
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>
>
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>
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Re: [TCP] Question on 2 column layouts

[Sue Heim]

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."
>
__

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