Many months ago, prior to this year's annual STC conference, I had been privately expressing my displeasure with STC. For many personal reasons, I was not getting value from the organization. I've been a member for 14 years or so, previous membership manager, web master, and volunteer. During my time as membership manager for the [...]
Breadcrumbs and Broomsticks
Mar 4, 2009 By 1 Comment
Bread crumbs were originally designed for websites constructed with frames. In the case that you stumbled onto a page within a site constructed around frames, the breadcrumbs would help you figure out how to get to top-layer pages.
Online Help is the New Three-Ring Binder
Feb 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I think tech writers hold themselves back with rigid definitions of what tech writing is. When I first started, the three-ring binder was the de facto standard for document distribution.
MadCap Flare: First Impressions
Feb 10, 2009 By 3 Comments
I've started the migration to MadCap Flare. I chose a simple project for my first one, a short story. See? I do use FrameMaker for everything. I wanted to submit a short story to a contest that ended last month. I had these templates for manuscript submission I've been using for years. MadCap claims Flare [...]
My Namesake Rocks His Résumé
Feb 6, 2009 By 5 Comments
Presidents and Capitals
Jan 23, 2009 By 4 Comments
What's up with the President becoming the "president"? I had this sneaky feeling that something had changed since second grade, when they wheeled a TV into my classroom and had to let it warm up for 30 minutes so I could see Carter's inauguration. I was told then if it's the President of the United [...]
1931 Tech Writing Book Proves Engineer Vs. Writer War Wasn't Started by Me
Jan 16, 2009 By 3 Comments
I was rummaging around in Half Price Books the other day and there was a cart in there marked "Last Chance Collectibles Cheap". Ah, old books. I found a couple of treats. One was an old sci fi book I'll post about later. The second was Technical Writing: Third Edition by T. A. Rickard. It [...]
Why I Want to Bust a MadCap in Adobe's Ass
Jan 14, 2009 By 16 Comments
I'm a technical writer. Have been for more than 15 years. I have used FrameMaker since it was at version 2 and was owned by company called Frame. I have owned RoboHELP Since the early days of Blue Sky Software who used to spam my work fax with "specials". Both Blue Sky and Frame eventually [...]
Cliche 2.0
Oct 26, 2005 By Leave a Comment
Be afraid, very afraid of the return of the cliches. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, business cliches have returned with a vengeance. Still reeling on the heels of the "monetize" comment from the previous post, I have decided to raise the red flag. The cliches where never [...]
Who'd a Thought Customer Service Was Important?
Aug 20, 2004 By Leave a Comment
I love the way this article frames the issue of cross-selling within the context of customer service. The real news is that there are companies out there clueless enough still provide substandard customer service and wonder why their sales are low. The survey highlights three behaviors that representatives do not execute, but which customers would [...]
Unrest by Parkway Drive