Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
90% of that feedback comes from a past President of the chapter that hosted the conference. He enjoyed it very much. -Original Message- From: Milan Davidovic Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 9:43 AM To: Jones, Donna Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week On 5/18/07, Jones, Donna wrote: If you were there, what did you think of the conference? If you're interested, there's also this topic on the STC Forum: http://forum.stcforum.org/viewtopic.php?id=840 This message contains confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading, disseminating, distributing, copying, electronic storing or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message by mistake, please notify us, by replying to the sender, and delete the original message immediately thereafter. Thank you. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
On 5/30/07, Dan Goldstein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 90% of that feedback comes from a past President of the chapter that hosted the conference. He enjoyed it very much. Yes, he does dominate that topic so far, doesn't he? But perhaps there are STC members here who can add their thoughts. -- Milan Davidovic http://altmilan.blogspot.com http://www.terminus1525.ca/studio/view/2758 __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
On 5/18/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Schedule conflict with other training -- but even without that, there's the cost. -- Milan Davidovic http://altmilan.blogspot.com http://www.terminus1525.ca/studio/view/2758 __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Sean just about covered my reasons. I did the STC thing for 10 years - served as Editor, Secretary, Vice President and Acting President of the local branch. Helped coordinate the first STC convention here - basically my idea with two other people and I was a major driving force. Started coordinating the second one and somewhere in the middle of the process...decided if it ain't fun anymore, it ain't worth doing. Friends in the organization asked why I let them treat me like that...and I decided they were right. I took a walk and have been walking away from STC ever since. I decided not to renew my membership last year and don't feel any difference at all this year...actually, the opposite. I have gotten more involved in the local community, helped put on a conference in Jerusalem in January and plan another for February of this coming year; I host regular events - and am free from the petty politics and by-laws that were twisted right and left anyway. Why didn't I attend? 1. Money 2. Time 3. A deep-seated anger that STC national took years and burned many people by refusing to respect international members while using thousands of our dollars and our membership to be able to call itself an international organization. It finally recognized some of its mistakes...but has done nothing to undo the damage that was caused to local groups. 4. Politics - I can't stand the pettiness I have seen in the past and the fact that almost every past leader here is burned out, fed up, and disgusted. I've seen the local council go against key membership opinions to benefit the council members and bend by-laws so far that it is a joke. I believe STC national (and local) lost the interest of the ordinary international technical writer when all it could see was itself in the mirror. There are some small efforts it has taken to rectify this - but for me it is a case of too little and too late. Paula -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brierley, Sean Sent: Friday, May 18, 2007 5:17 PM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week Thanks for the report. Why wasn't I there, in order: 1) Cash. I don't have any to spare, and it would have been my dime, not my employer's. 2) Time. I get a whopping two weeks of vacation and already used one going to the house of mouse with my family. Taking time off without pay is forbidden. 3) Am a little torqued off at the national STC [EMAIL PROTECTED]@[EMAIL PROTECTED]@#s right now. Was thinking this morning that I might be done renewing. We'll see what this year brings, fails to bring, or how it annoys. 4) Timing was off. The class I teach at uni wasn't over; the semester ended Tuesday. Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] snip For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Was it a money thing? A time away from work thing? A total lack of interest in STC thing? For me the last several years, it was a family thing. My kids were young enough that it was difficult for me to go. Although my mother-in-law (my primary babysitter while I was gone) would probably disagree, it was fairly easy for me to attend this year. (Now if this message doesn't give everyone out there a chance to reply with something, I don't know what would!) :-) DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Oh yeah. And I refuse to rejoin until the person who is Region 8 Director (or is it sponsor now?) is no longer acting in that position! Because of him, it was no longer fun to be an active leader, let alone member, in the organization. And although I could join any other community I wanted (say, Boston! grin), if I wanted to attend any local meetings, I'd have to pay. (Although not sure I'd want to since their agenda is lousy, but that is itself a whole other issue!) STC didn't just disrespect international members. They did a real good job if disrespecting national members, who were active leaders in chapters and communities. ...sue On 5/26/07, Paula Stern (WritePoint) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: snip 3. A deep-seated anger that STC national took years and burned many people by refusing to respect international members while using thousands of our dollars and our membership to be able to call itself an international organization. It finally recognized some of its mistakes...but has done nothing to undo the damage that was caused to local groups. 4. Politics - I can't stand the pettiness I have seen in the past and the fact that almost every past leader here is burned out, fed up, and disgusted. I've seen the local council go against key membership opinions to benefit the council members and bend by-laws so far that it is a joke. I believe STC national (and local) lost the interest of the ordinary international technical writer when all it could see was itself in the mirror. There are some small efforts it has taken to rectify this - but for me it is a case of too little and too late. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
I had the same feeling. After 10 years of donating my time to STC (they wouldn't even pay for the gas for the extra car I brought to one convention solely for the purpose of helping bring 6 more people to the convention from a long distance away...that was on top of my car going earlier and taking a bunch of others...for which I didn't ask reimbursement) - I can't stomach having to pay to attend an event now. Of course, I didn't get reimbursed because the membership had a loud meeting protesting that the then-president had traveled two times to Europe at STC expense, been reimbursed regularly for Internet and telephone, etc. and cut all reimbursements of that type. I actually didn't mind it at the time - until this past year when the new President took a trip to London and they've apparently reinstated the STC-will-pay rule (without bothering to check with the membership). Then I was called a liar when I mentioned this had happened - I did get a public apology when the person (a very active member), found out I was telling the truth. All in all, it was better for everyone that I was done with STC and I have yet to see a reason to go back. Locally, we don't need STC to run events - there are at least 3 local groups doing that far better and far more extensively. We don't need STC to run conventions - we proved that this past January, and we don't need the elitest attitude. STC's local website claims that their members earn about $400-$500 more per month than non-STC members. This is pathetic because while it is true in the strictest sense, there is no connection between the facts. You could say STC members have an average of 5 years more experience than non-members or whatever - but they don't have experience and they don't earn more BECAUSE they are members of STC - it is likely because more experienced writers are going to be able to get their companies to pay for the membership - and since they have more experience, they earn more money. This was even pointed out after the survey was taken - but it didn't stop them from putting this fact plainly on their website. I come from the old school of membership - where the members drive the organization and that the popularity of the organization isn't what is holy. Anyway - yeah, STC national and international has a way of driving good people away. P _ From: Sue Heim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2007 5:15 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week Oh yeah. And I refuse to rejoin until the person who is Region 8 Director (or is it sponsor now?) is no longer acting in that position! Because of him, it was no longer fun to be an active leader, let alone member, in the organization. And although I could join any other community I wanted (say, Boston! grin), if I wanted to attend any local meetings, I'd have to pay. (Although not sure I'd want to since their agenda is lousy, but that is itself a whole other issue!) STC didn't just disrespect international members. They did a real good job if disrespecting national members, who were active leaders in chapters and communities. ...sue On 5/26/07, Paula Stern (WritePoint) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: snip 3. A deep-seated anger that STC national took years and burned many people by refusing to respect international members while using thousands of our dollars and our membership to be able to call itself an international organization. It finally recognized some of its mistakes...but has done nothing to undo the damage that was caused to local groups. 4. Politics - I can't stand the pettiness I have seen in the past and the fact that almost every past leader here is burned out, fed up, and disgusted. I've seen the local council go against key membership opinions to benefit the council members and bend by-laws so far that it is a joke. I believe STC national (and local) lost the interest of the ordinary international technical writer when all it could see was itself in the mirror. There are some small efforts it has taken to rectify this - but for me it is a case of too little and too late. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Was it a money thing? A time away from work thing? A total lack of interest in STC thing? For me the last several years, it was a family thing. My kids were young enough that it was difficult for me to go. Although my mother-in-law (my primary babysitter while I was gone) would probably disagree, it was fairly easy for me to attend this year. I had really good reasons not to go, despite living in Minneapolis: 1. I was in England until May 15 on a 3-week holiday. Nuff said. g 2. I probably wouldn't have gone anyway even if I had been at home, because there just doesn't seem to be enough sessions that are interesting to someone who's been in the business for a long time. 3. I am also ticked off at STC in general, and my local chapter isn't inspiring me much any more. I used to be very involved in the chapter, but have stepped back. 4. I haven't renewed my membership this year. It's my own nickel now and I just don't see too much value for money coming out of it right now. Nancy Kaminski __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Thanks for the report. Why wasn't I there, in order: 1) Cash. I don't have any to spare, and it would have been my dime, not my employer's. 2) Time. I get a whopping two weeks of vacation and already used one going to the house of mouse with my family. Taking time off without pay is forbidden. 3) Am a little torqued off at the national STC [EMAIL PROTECTED]@[EMAIL PROTECTED]@#s right now. Was thinking this morning that I might be done renewing. We'll see what this year brings, fails to bring, or how it annoys. 4) Timing was off. The class I teach at uni wasn't over; the semester ended Tuesday. Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] snip For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Was it a money thing? A time away from work thing? A total lack of interest in STC thing? For me the last several years, it was a family thing. My kids were young enough that it was difficult for me to go. Although my mother-in-law (my primary babysitter while I was gone) would probably disagree, it was fairly easy for me to attend this year. (Now if this message doesn't give everyone out there a chance to reply with something, I don't know what would!) :-) DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
My reasons are much like everyone else's. Cost is a factor -- the college doesn't reimburse enough of the total expense to make it practical when I have many other demands on my money. General ennui with the STC, although the Conference has perennially been the greatest value-for-money event the STC does. I always got a lot more out of it than it cost. However, this STC tagline business makes we wonder what they're thinking in head office. shakes her head I have been a speaker at previous conferences -- I didn't propose a paper this year because of some uncertainty about whether I'd be able to attend. Turns out, I was right. Life got in the way this year. :-) --Beth Beth Agnew Professor, Technical Communication Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology 416-491-5050 x3133 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] snip For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Was it a money thing? A time away from work thing? A total lack of interest in STC thing? __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Time: Lots of balls in the air this year, including a major re-org and corporate acquisition. Money: Tight training budget. 'Nuff said. Life: 'Nuff said. -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com avid homebrewer and proud beer snob I see your OOO message and raise you a clue. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week/Outgrowing Old Resources
Hello, This email is in response to: If you have been around for a while as a technical communicator, do you feel that you have outgrown STC and some of the more traditional online forums (lists like Techwr-l, TCP, FrameUsers, and such)? I have been a technical writer/editor for about 10 years, and while that only FEELS like an eternity, it isn't that long in terms of a professional career. Even so, I must admit that I really haven't participated much in my local STC chapter (though I've been a member for years), and I've never attended an STC national conference. So, why not? As others have mentioned, many of the sessions seem less applicable to me than sessions at other conferences. Our small department has a limited conference/training budget, and I would rather spend the time and money learning new things--even at a conference where my profession may be only marginally respresented--as opposed to networking with other technical writers. Now, I'm not saying that networking isn't important, but I also think that, in some ways, going to a conference with another focus (like eLearning, for example) gives me a different perspective, and allows me to mentally try on new ways of doing what I do everyday. It's just more exciting to me. Another reason I don't participate in STC in general is that it seems rather old school for a society so embedded with technology. My job is a mix of writer and educator (among other things), and from that perspective, it seems like STC is wedded to traditional delivery formats (powerpoints, pdfs, multi-day conferences, webinars by phone, hard copy magazines, etc.) instead of enbracing the new technology we are documenting and using to create better documentation training. It's like the society itself needs to advance technologically to make it seem relevant to me. Maybe I don't have three full days I can dedicate to a conference, but I could probably spend a few minutes watching/listening to a podcast on a topic I am interested in. An RSS feed of new topics posted to SIG forums or sites might be one way to get me more engaged. If I have a burning question about a technical writing concept, I would much rather go to the main STC site, conduct an STC site-specific search, and retrieve results from all of the different chapaters, communities, and forums within STC, rather than hunt and peck through Google search results. (Don't get me wrong...I don't want to make it seem like I am only interested in technology and gadgets. What I am interested in is how technology/gadgets can be used to facilitiate learning, growth, and personal/professional development.) And just in case you were wondering, the conference I'm attending this year is the eLearning DevCon 2007 conference (http://www.elearndevcon.com/ ). I went to it last year, and overall was very impressed with the focus on elearning development and the way it embraces technology while advocating instructional design. It is designed for elearning developers, but I've found that the topics covered could certainly be applicable for writers as well (particularly those developing material for the web). Thanks for listening! Jean Ashley Sr. Technical Communicator, Information Systems Intermountain Healthcare Phone: (801) 442-6720 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] +++ Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. - Malcolm Forbes __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
I ride a wave that's similar to manic-depressive cycles wrt STC conferences -- for a couple of years I get all excited about presenting a session or two, go gleefully, and pay my own way if necessary; then I get peeved at the lack of sessions aimed at my level (don't mean to sound snotty about that) and get determined to find a conference I can take from instead of give to, and at that stage, wild horses couldn't drag me there. I'm at the wild horses couldn't drag me stage right now. Last year's conference was particularly disappointing, IMO. The high point of the entire conference for me was sitting and chatting with Michael Priestly of IBM while we were waiting for a chair massage. Michael and I had worked on a program committee together and have known each other online for forever, so... I have no doubt that this year's conference would be better; I just needed a break so I didn't submit any proposals, and pretty much, if I don't present there's no sense in going. Turns out it was the right decision, as life would definitely have gotten in the way this year. I was laid off at the beginning of April and start my new job the week after Memorial Day (team lead for API docs for Sony Playstation - I'm so excited! And what a raise!!!). If I'd gone to the conference, I'd probably still be looking for a job. -Sue On 5/18/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ... For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Was it a money thing? A time away from work thing? A total lack of interest in STC thing? For me the last several years, it was a family thing. My kids were young enough that it was difficult for me to go. Although my mother-in-law (my primary babysitter while I was gone) would probably disagree, it was fairly easy for me to attend this year. (Now if this message doesn't give everyone out there a chance to reply with something, I don't know what would!) :-) Cheers! Donna __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Donna asks: For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. I haven't attended an STC conference since the late 90s -- it got to the point where I didn't find the sessions that educational or useful, and it was too difficult to get into the sessions I thought I might like (the room filled up before I arrived). I've done a lot of business travel . . . I've reached the point in my life where I don't enjoy it anymore and try to avoid it (vacation is different!). If and when the conference is closer to home, I might go. jan. jan e patterson sr technical writer - environmental systems products - tucson, az __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
None of those reasons? Coulda made the time, money's not an issue, not a problem with travel or family. As I said in another thread, STC no longer provides me with any value. I get far more value from specialized conferences, such as WritersUA. If I attend a conference, I'd much prefer to go to one where I have to struggle to decide which session to attend amongst several in a single time frame. Rather than finding that there are several times in which there isn't a single thing that interests me. General ennui with STC has been an issue for the last couple of years. If STC would step into the 21st century a bit more, I'd love it. I know they've made some steps in the right direction, and I understand the sessions were better this year than in the past (I mean, really, how many sessions do you need on writing a resume or finding a job in a crummy market?), but still not enough to excite me. Without excitement, why bother? I think STC can have a lot of value for incoming/newbie types. But when you get to be an old hag like me, the value of attending an annual conference diminishes greatly. ...sue On 5/18/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: snip For those of you who weren't at the STC conference, I'm just curious why. Was it a money thing? A time away from work thing? A total lack of interest in STC thing? For me the last several years, it was a family thing. My kids were young enough that it was difficult for me to go. Although my mother-in-law (my primary babysitter while I was gone) would probably disagree, it was fairly easy for me to attend this year. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
I have to say that I didn't see any sessions on writing a resume or finding a job in a crummy market this year. :-) What was nice is that they had session tracks - related sessions that related to a particular topic. See http://www.stc.org/54thConf/sessions/search01.asp and click on the Session Track Search dropdown to see the various tracks offered. I was particularly interested in XML, CMS, and localization, so I could focus most of my efforts on the classes offered under those tracks. On Wednesday, I sat in the Looking Forward session which talked about next year's conference and proposals and such. They are certainly trying to address the issues of tired old subjects. One thing they stressed is the quality of the proposals, and requiring more research on the submitter's part to reduce/eliminate redundancy with previously offered sessions. That includes checking past sessions that were offered, previous STC publications, and class offerings. If you've got a topic that's already been covered in some fashion, then you'd better have a different twist to it as to a specific problem, solution, or issue, or your proposal won't be accepted. The proposal manager wanted to have to pick between a number of really good proposals, and have to turn some of them down, instead of settling for a handful of really good proposals, and filling the rest of the sessions with just ok ones. As to the variety offered, here's the session titles offered just for Monday this year: Tips and tricks for roboHelp users Cross-culturl virtual teams and distance education Modular writing and reusability Electronically stored information, the law, and you Automated web globalization How to design anything Estimating and tracking project costs Incorporating usability into content management Web 2.0 and its impact on tech comm Dita, design patterns, and the real world Responsible authoriing to reduce translation cost How to create lean documents Making sense of the Frame/XML alphabet soup Developing non-software-based eLearning with Captivate Participatory design Interview with usability expert Jared Spool Effect page layout for the nonartist Myths and trends in the changing English language Why the old technical communicator ain't no more Quality localization begins at the source Interaction design in language design Beyond the basics of project management Know your business numbers and why they're important It's not my aunt's online help anymore! The history and future of free and open source software SDL AuthorAssistant - empowering authors to write Minimalist documentation and cohesiveness of documents Using research to better your practice The future of XML publishing Conducting a user-centered expert review Progressions of STC's instructional design and learning community Web form design best practices What technical communicators need to know Ask the experts panel Road Signs: finding your way in the visual world Learn how your department funding affects your success Strategic plannign for new publishing technology Podcasting production 101 Streamline your global content lifecycle All in all, I really enjoyed the conference, this having been my first one. Oh, and since Donna's too modest (hah!) to mention it...our company had two documents which moved on to the Int'l Competition, and both of them took Distinguished Awards at that level, which shocked the daylights out of us. Donna was the primary writer on both docs, and I got to claim second-billing as editor on one of them. I'm still in a wow frame of mind. -Carla - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Did I really say related sessions that related to a particular topic? Ick!!! You all know what I meant - delete that first related. OK, I'm really, really, tired today -- traveled home yesterday, was up late getting my daughter ready to go to a horse camp for the weekend, and then was woken up from a sound sleep sometime after that when the top shelf of my bedroom closet suddenly pulled free from the wall, broke in two, and spilled much of the contents onto the floor two feet from my head. And I'm guessing that some of it landed on the dog sleeping there (closet doors were open at the time) as he wasn't real keen on coming back into the room after that. Is it time to go home yet? -Carla -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Martinek, Carla Sent: Friday, May 18, 2007 1:45 PM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week I have to say that I didn't see any sessions on writing a resume or finding a job in a crummy market this year. :-) What was nice is that they had session tracks - related sessions that related to a particular topic. See http://www.stc.org/54thConf/sessions/search01.asp and click on the Session Track Search dropdown to see the various tracks offered. I was particularly interested in XML, CMS, and localization, so I could focus most of my efforts on the classes offered under those tracks. - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
The conference was revamped this year, and many more changes will be made in the future. For example, this year the conference team asked some speakers to present on specific subjects. And there was a much better mix of topics (in my opinion, anyway...not that I actually had a chance to attend any sessions! But the session titles sounded great). You can see what sessions were offered by going to the conference website (http://www.stc.org/54thConf; click Sessions, and then you can download a PDF of the schedule). Char James-Tanny ~ JTF Associates, Inc. ~ http://www.helpstuff.com -- Please send follow-up questions to the list. (Inquires sent off-list may not be seen.) Contact me directly (CharJT at helpstuff dot com) with business inquiries. -- 2006-2007 Microsoft Help MVP Find a Help Authoring Tool at HAT-Matrix.com ~ http://hat-matrix.com Co-author of Managing Virtual Teams ~ http://www.wordware.com/wiki AuthorIT Certified Consultant, Development, and Training STC Secretary, 2006-2008 Web site Hosting and Design ~ http://www.jtfhosting.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Carla Martinek wrote: Oh, and since Donna's too modest (hah!) to mention it...our company had two documents which moved on to the Int'l Competition, and both of them took Distinguished Awards at that level, which shocked the daylights out of us. Donna was the primary writer on both docs, and I got to claim second-billing as editor on one of them. I'm still in a wow frame of mind. Forget about modesty in not mentioning the awards. Because I share many files across several different manuals, one of my guides that took an award has already had several sections change (for the better, I hope). With that outlook, I was almost embarrassed that it won anything because I think it's better now than when I submitted it last fall. I'm looking forward to submitting another manual next year with the improved sections to see how it does. I don't know that I had the daylights shocked out of me when I found out that I won, but I would say that I was quite happily surprised. I did some happy dances for a while after seeing both of my entries on display with the awards, and I couldn't get the dumb grin off of my face for quite some time. :-) Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Automated web globalization HAD POTENTIAL (Monday at 11 am) Developing non-software-based eLearning with Captivate HAD POTENTIAL (Monday at 1:30) Interaction design in language design HAD POTENTIAL (Monday at 1:30) Podcasting production 101 HAD MINOR POTENTIAL (Monday at 3:30) So there were four with potential in the three sessions ;-) I'm just trying to point out that, had the conference been something that you were on the fence about, seeing that there were sessions that you had some interest in on Monday may have helped convince you to go. Char James-Tanny ~ JTF Associates, Inc. ~ http://www.helpstuff.com -- Please send follow-up questions to the list. (Inquires sent off-list may not be seen.) Contact me directly (CharJT at helpstuff dot com) with business inquiries. -- 2006-2007 Microsoft Help MVP Find a Help Authoring Tool at HAT-Matrix.com ~ http://hat-matrix.com Co-author of Managing Virtual Teams ~ http://www.wordware.com/wiki AuthorIT Certified Consultant, Development, and Training STC Secretary, 2006-2008 Web site Hosting and Design ~ http://www.jtfhosting.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
As one of the people who helped put the conference together, I'd like to ask What would be of interest to you? I'm sure that it would be interesting to others as well, and as the work for next year's conference starts now, we'd like to know. And if you're willing to put together a proposal or two, I'm sure the conference committee would like to see them! John Garison Sue Heim wrote: So you can see, really, not that much of interest *to me*. I'm glad you found it interesting and useful, but (and as others have said), many of these sessions are just not much help to someone who's been in the field for 20 years. Hell, I could present half of 'em! :) ...sue ___ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Hi, 1) What do you want proposals on? (I really don't know. I don't suppose you want my thoughts on the advantages of playing a 4-4-2 with a flat-back four versus a diamond-back sweeper-stopper arrangement?) 2) Will the STC pick up my conference attendance and hotel bill? 3) Can we have it in Boston? Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Garison Sent: Friday, May 18, 2007 3:55 PM To: Sue Heim Cc: Martinek, Carla; tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week As one of the people who helped put the conference together, I'd like to ask What would be of interest to you? I'm sure that it would be interesting to others as well, and as the work for next year's conference starts now, we'd like to know. And if you're willing to put together a proposal or two, I'm sure the conference committee would like to see them! John Garison DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Brierley, Sean wrote: Hi, 1) What do you want proposals on? (I really don't know. I don't suppose you want my thoughts on the advantages of playing a 4-4-2 with a flat-back four versus a diamond-back sweeper-stopper arrangement?) Has to be technical communications oriented - what to write, how to write, or writing you have done. 2) Will the STC pick up my conference attendance and hotel bill? They may. I know they paid several speakers this year (new and radical, I know!) 3) Can we have it in Boston? Next year is Philadelphia ... a mere train ride or $49 Southwest air fare away. Cheers, Sean __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
I might go to philly. Are would the STC pay my speeding tickets? ROFL!! -Original Message- From: John Garison [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, May 18, 2007 4:04 PM To: Brierley, Sean Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week Brierley, Sean wrote: Hi, 1) What do you want proposals on? (I really don't know. I don't suppose you want my thoughts on the advantages of playing a 4-4-2 with a flat-back four versus a diamond-back sweeper-stopper arrangement?) Has to be technical communications oriented - what to write, how to write, or writing you have done. 2) Will the STC pick up my conference attendance and hotel bill? They may. I know they paid several speakers this year (new and radical, I know!) 3) Can we have it in Boston? Next year is Philadelphia ... a mere train ride or $49 Southwest air fare away. DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Hi, Am honestly not sure if you do this or not. (I mentioned my reasons for not going, and content was not one of those reasons and I had not checked out content.) How about real tracks? How about a programming for help track, wherein you take two sessions a day for all three days and you implement context-sensitive help from the C# or VB.NET side? How about a PHP scripting track, wherein you take two sessions a day for all three days and you implement php scripting for a Website? This might help chapter Webmasters. A concentration could be in blogging and wikis, wherein you integrate such into a sample Website. How about an XML documentation track, wherein you take two sessions a day for all three days and you implement XML such that you create PDF and HTML output from XML source? Those are all software oriented, I know. Am planting a seed, nothing more. Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Garison Sent: Friday, May 18, 2007 3:55 PM To: Sue Heim Cc: Martinek, Carla; tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week As one of the people who helped put the conference together, I'd like to ask What would be of interest to you? I'm sure that it would be interesting to others as well, and as the work for next year's conference starts now, we'd like to know. And if you're willing to put together a proposal or two, I'm sure the conference committee would like to see them! John Garison Sue Heim wrote: So you can see, really, not that much of interest *to me*. I'm glad you found it interesting and useful, but (and as others have said), many of these sessions are just not much help to someone who's been in the field for 20 years. Hell, I could present half of 'em! :) ...sue ___ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
I like the idea of branching out into usability, interface design, information architecture, and teaching technical skills. Otherwise, it's just one giant fat networking opp, and there's nothing wrong with that. Can we have one in Texas? (Anywhere but Austin.) --- John Garison [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As one of the people who helped put the conference together, I'd like to ask What would be of interest to you? User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
John Garison wrote: As one of the people who helped put the conference together, I'd like to ask What would be of interest to you? I'm sure that it would be interesting to others as well, and as the work for next year's conference starts now, we'd like to know. Hi John, I'm happy to have met you in person at the STC conference. It's nice to have a face now to associate with your name. :-) I'd like to see more sessions that stress people skills (such as the Art of Friendly Persuasion session). There was a mini-workshop on what psychology has to do with style, but it was at the same time as that persuasion one, so I had to pick one. I would have loved to attend both. I'd also like to see more sessions by certain people who are good speakers and whose sessions are always standing room only. Maybe they can do the same session at more than one time so more people can attend without having to squeeze into a spot on the floor? I'm considering doing a proposal about some steps that I think some people overlook when they talk about going from unstructured to structured FrameMaker. If people have deadlines to meet and can't make the leap all at once, there may be some small, intermediate steps that can be taken to slowly move content from chaotic to semi-structured. Then when the time comes that they go to make the actual conversion, the process will go much smoother. That's pretty much what I've been trying to help teach a few people off-line, and it would be nice to do it in a more formal way. Happy Friday! Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
There were 2-day pre-conference seminars on Usability and Info Design in addition to multiple conference sessions. STC has an IA/ID SIG as well. John G Chris Borokowski wrote: I like the idea of branching out into usability, interface design, information architecture, and teaching technical skills. Otherwise, it's just one giant fat networking opp, and there's nothing wrong with that. Can we have one in Texas? (Anywhere but Austin.) --- John Garison [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As one of the people who helped put the conference together, I'd like to ask What would be of interest to you? User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
I'm sorry I missed those then. My response was a generalized reply to What could STC emphasize more? and most of my STC experience is via websites. --- John Garison [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There were 2-day pre-conference seminars on Usability and Info Design in addition to multiple conference sessions. STC has an IA/ID SIG as well. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ You snooze, you lose. Get messages ASAP with AutoCheck in the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_html.html __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
On 5/18/07, Martinek, Carla [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: one. Oh, and since Donna's too modest (hah!) to mention it...our company had two documents which moved on to the Int'l Competition, and both of them took Distinguished Awards at that level, which shocked the Congrats to both of you. This was my first STC conference, and the only person from this list that I met was Lisa. I got a lot out of it -- though since I have only two months' tech writing experience, that's not a great argument for the conference's usefulness to those of you who have been doing it longer. (They did have sessions marked advanced. I avoided those.) I would have liked to do the Tech Writing 101 workshop before the conference, but couldn't justify doubling the cost. Elizabeth (someday I'll send an intro to this list) __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
Elizabeth wrote: Congrats to both of you. Thank you! :-) (someday I'll send an intro to this list) Welcome to tech writing and to the TCP list! You'll find that we're pretty harmless, although most of have some pretty strong opinions and aren't afraid to let them be known. Part of being a good communicator is knowing when to tell people what you think. I think more of us have problems with the when part than with actually doing the telling. ;-) And yes, I'm speaking about myself with that. I'm notorious for being much too forward, which I'm slowly but surely working on. That's why I'm hoping for more sessions in persuasion at the STC conferences. Part of persuasion is in knowing when to tread lightly and when to keep your mouth shut. I'm still trying to learn that part. :-) Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] STC Conference this past week
And that type of session is why I would steer clear of a conference. That type of session? Two words: Learning Annex. grin Seriously, if I'm gonna attend a professional conference, I don't want sessions on personal improvement (persuasiveness, time management, justifying conference attendance). I don't even want to know how to justify MYSELF to others in my company. I want professional sessions. It's why I like WritersUA so much. Very clearly, it's targeted to that which I do, daily. Plus, I like the locations! BIG grin ...sue BTW, welcome Elizabeth!!! On 5/18/07, Jones, Donna [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Elizabeth wrote: Congrats to both of you. Thank you! :-) (someday I'll send an intro to this list) Welcome to tech writing and to the TCP list! You'll find that we're pretty harmless, although most of have some pretty strong opinions and aren't afraid to let them be known. Part of being a good communicator is knowing when to tell people what you think. I think more of us have problems with the when part than with actually doing the telling. ;-) And yes, I'm speaking about myself with that. I'm notorious for being much too forward, which I'm slowly but surely working on. That's why I'm hoping for more sessions in persuasion at the STC conferences. Part of persuasion is in knowing when to tread lightly and when to keep your mouth shut. I'm still trying to learn that part. :-) Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
