TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
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In this posting, look for the following ...
* STORY: It Only Takes a Few Steps - with SnagIt Screen Capture (NEW)
* ANNOUNCE: ComponentOne Supports TECHWR-L as Gold Sponsor (NEW)
* REMINDER: STC Annual Conference Discussion List
* TRAINING: Learn how to Document APIs and SDKs with a Workshop on a DVD
* ANNOUNCE: Tri-XML 2004 CONFERENCE
* ANNOUNCE: XML Training in Mid-Atlantic
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STORY: It Only Takes a Few Steps - with SnagIt Screen Capture
Dan the technical writer was in an Italian cooking class. As the chef
led the class through a variety of steps to make a pasta dinner, Dan's
thoughts turned to SnagIt - the leading screen capture software.
For instance, SnagIt allowed him to do everything he needed to do in
just a couple of clicks. It had Capture Profiles, which meant that
his most-used capture settings could be saved. That way, he wouldn't
have to reset his preferences - he could just select the profile.
He didn't need to bother with using a different program to edit his
images, since everything he needed to edit existed in the Editor and
Studio. He could crop, draw, annotate his images - in only a few
steps.
"Dan!" the chef said. "Are you paying attention?"
"Cooking involves a lot of steps," Dan responded.
"Yes, that's true of flavorful cooking," the chef said.
"But with my screen capture program, SnagIt, I can do all my work
tasks with just a few steps," Dan said.
"Cooking isn't software," the chef replied lightly.
"That's right," Dan said, packing up his things. "Cooking has been
around a lot longer than software . . . but maybe someday it'll catch
up."
ANNOUNCE: ComponentOne Supports TECHWR-L as Gold Sponsor
Join us in thanking ComponentOne as a continuing TECHWR-L Annual
Sponsor! ComponentOne is now a Gold sponsor, which provides tremendous
support for the community, the TECHWR-L mailing list, and the TECHWR-L
Web site. Find ComponentOne at http://www.componentone.com/ .
ComponentOne products include Doc-To-Help 7 and Doc-To-Help 7
Professional, which offer a solution for every level of Help authoring.
From basic online Help or printed documentation to the most robust and
professional Help systems, users will have the tool for any job.
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 7 Professional provides users with five new
major features including Natural Search, Modular TOC Utility, Image Map
Editor, Theme Designer, and Context String Editor. For more
information, please visit http://www.componentone.com/doctohelp.
Welcome--and thanks to--ComponentOne as a continuing TECHWR-L
Annual Sponsor! Annual sponsors provide key support for
the variety of TECHWR-L services and features. For more
information about sponsorships, please visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/abouttechwhirl/sponsorships.html.
This list, sponsored by Bright Path Solutions
(http://www.travelthepath.com), will be available
through May 30, 2004. This is an unmoderated list,
and provides conference-goers with a forum to discuss
the upcoming conference, travel and get-together
plans, and other related topics.
This discussion list is not associated with STC,
other than the fact that the focus is discussing
the upcoming STC Annual Conference. This list is
a free service to the technical writing community
provided by RayComm, Inc.
TRAINING: Learn how to Document APIs and SDKs with a Workshop on a DVD
Documenting APIs isn't easy but learning how is a great way to enhance
your tech writing skills. Our new "Workshop-on-a-DVD", featuring well
known tech writing guru Manuel Gordon, can get you started now.
You will learn:
- What are SDKs? Why sell them? Why buy them?
- How to structure the documentation set for an SDK
- What programmers really want: A real-world case study
- How to outline a Developer's Guide
- How to automatically generate a Reference Manual using DGP tools
- Strategies for going forward and resources for learning more
Here is what one satisfied customer had to say:
"Your DVD course, Documenting APIs and SDKs, breaks a difficult
subject down into manageable chunks. Manny's presentation is easy to
absorb. The information on the Developer.s Guide, particularly the
outline, gave me a solid starting point from which to build the
document. This course pays for itself with dividends."
For more information, visit www.thirdwavestudios.com/gg/videos.html
Tri-XML is the XML interest group for the Research Triangle area,
North Carolina USA. We focus on educating members in XML-related
technologies and potential uses. While XML itself may be fairly easy
to create, its application may be much more difficult. Our meetings
are designed to provide attendees with a free, technical education on
a variety of topics.
Our annual conference is scheduled for July 22-24, with a "Tools of
the Trade Show" (a vendor showcase) scheduled for July 22 followed by
two full days of peer presentations. Vendors will exhibit July 22-23.
Many of our speakers are returning for a second year, sharing their
world-class knowledge at this local event.
This conference is being held at the Sheraton Imperial in Research
Triangle Park. This is our second year in this facility, which hosted
our 130+ attendees last year.
***NOTE: Sign up before the next early registration discount expires!**
HANDS ON XML TRAINING WITH BERNARD ASCHWANDEN
Hands-on experience with XML tools: desktops will be set up with software,
sample files, and demo materials.
May 22 & 23, 2004, RENAISSANCE PORTSMOUTH, PORTSMOUTH, VA
Early bird registration (through May 15):
STC Members $179.00; Non-members $ 249.00; Students $149.00
A recognized publishing technologies expert, Mr. Aschwanden presents
at conferences and events across Europe and North America. He is an
Adobe Certified Expert, Certified Technical Trainer, and author of
numerous publications on publishing and single sourcing. A dynamic and
entertaining speaker, Mr. Aschwanden tailors his presentations to the
audience and welcomes participation. The James River Chapter of the
Society for Technical Communication is proud to bring this event to
the mid-Atlantic Technical Communications community.
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