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<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
