PDF to Word
Subject:
PDF to Word
From:
"Anonymous" <junkmail -at- lostcreektech -dot- com>
To:
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date:
Thu, 5 Jan 2006 11:02:48 -0500
Recently picked up a project to update the manuals for a retooled assembly
line in a manufacturing plant. The only copy of the original manual is in
Adobe Acrobat. There are over 10k pages with graphics. Are there any apps
out there that will relatively easily/painlessly convert the .pdf files back
into Word? I know doing it in Framemaker would be easier but right now the
cost puts it out of my reach.
If possible, please cc me on replies as I'm on digest.
Joseph Hodge
Technical Writer
E-mail: jlhodge -at- lostcreektech -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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---
Today's Topics:
1. RE: Help systems (Broberg, Mats)
2. RE: Resources on estimating documentation projects
(Barbara Philbrick)
3. Re: Help systems (Bill Swallow)
4. RE: Help systems (Broberg, Mats)
5. HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating (Karen Casemier)
6. Re: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
(Barry Campbell)
7. In love with a word (John Posada)
8. Re: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating (Rick Stone)
9. Re: In love with a word (Dick Margulis)
10. Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects (Tony Markos)
11. Re: In love with a word (Bill Swallow)
12. RE: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating (James Jones)
13. Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects (Bill Swallow)
14. Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject?? (Tony Markos)
15. Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects (Sharon Burton)
16. Re: In love with a word (Al Geist)
17. RE: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
(Paul Neshamkin)
18. Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject?? (Bill Swallow)
19. Re: In love with a word (John Posada)
20. Re: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating (Ed Wurster)
21. Re: In love with a word (Dick Margulis)
22. Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject?? (Fred Ridder)
23. Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects (Tony Markos)
24. RE: Resources on estimating documentation projects (Dan Goldstein)
25. RE: Scoping a Documentation Project?? (James Jones)
26. RE: In love with a word (Nuckols, Kenneth M)
27. Re: In love with a word (Peter Neilson)
28. RE: Resources on estimating documentation projects (Johnson, Tom)
29. Re: In love with a word (John Posada)
30. RE: In love with a word (Martinek, Carla)
31. Scoping vs Estimating (Tony Markos)
32. Re: In love with a word (John Cook)
33. Re: Scoping vs Estimating (Bill Swallow)
34. RE: In love with a word (Nagai, Paul)
35. Re: In love with a word (Melissa Nelson)
36. Re: In love with a word (Julia Countryman)
37. Re: In love with a word (Julia Countryman)
38. FrameMaker 7.2 Generated Files (Jeff Scattini)
39. Re: FrameMaker 7.2 Generated Files (Jeff Scattini)
40. Re: Scoping vs Estimating (Tony Markos)
41. Re: Scoping vs Estimating (Fred Ridder)
42. Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject?? (Tony Markos)
43. RE: Scoping a DocumentationProject?? (Bonnie Granat)
44. Re: Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject?? (Susan W. Gallagher)
45. RE: Scoping a DocumentationProject?? (Tony Markos)
46. RE: Scoping a DocumentationProject?? (Bonnie Granat)
47. Re: In love with a word (David Castro)
48. Re: Scoping vs Estimating (Bill Swallow)
49. Word TOC question (Kirk Turner)
50. RE: Word TOC question (Bonnie Granat)
51. Wrong by definition (Stuart Burnfield)
52. Re: In love with a word (Julia Countryman)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:51:38 +0100
From: "Broberg, Mats" <mabr -at- flir -dot- se>
Subject: RE: Help systems
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<58A03E173D75BF49BF8B4B92AA32DFD30118808D -at- se-mail3 -dot- swe -dot- flir -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Bill Swallow wrote:
> > We plan to build an application that transforms XML files to the
> > necessary topic files, project files, TOC files and index
> files that
> > are needed to compile help systems for our PC programs in 21
> > languages. We have looked into HTML Help at first, but the
> more we dig
> > the worse it seems to be with regards to language support.
>
> Home grown or for sale to authors? You know there are many
> apps that do this already, so you may be able to save the
> labor in favor of a small cash outlay...?
Home-grown to output manuals in help formats. We use an XML-based system
to create & maintain customer documentation. Seeing that we issue some
1,500 unique revisions of our manuals per year, we need a system that is
totally automated and integrated into our XML system. Basically a set of
XSL stylesheets, some Java scripts, an ImageMagick loop that subsets
resolution of images, plus the compiler for the help output formats.
That is why we don't look at COTS systems.
> What issues are you running into with HTML Help? Wel localize
> into nearly as many languages (19) without issue...
SE Asian languages too?
> > Does anyone have experience of creating JavaHelp or MS Help help
> > systems? Those two systems seem promising with regards to
> > internationalization and language support.
>
> What do you mean by "MS Help"? As for JavaHelp, its language
> support is pretty much in line with HTML Help.
MS Help 2.X is one of Microsoft's help formats - one of the latest, I
think.
http://www.mshelpwiki.com/index.php?page=Help2
The predecessor was HTML Help and the predecessor of that was WinHelp.
Many of the files (TOC, index, project file) in MS Help are XML files,
while they are plain text files in HTML Help. So I do believe that it
would be easier to output MS Help from an XMl system than HTML Help. But
I may be wrong, ofcourse.
Best regards,
Mats Broberg
Technical Documentation Manager
www.flirthermography.com
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:10:12 -0500
From: "Barbara Philbrick" <caslon -at- alltel -dot- net>
Subject: RE: Resources on estimating documentation projects
To: "'Robyn Richards'" <robynrrr -at- hotmail -dot- com>,
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <000d01c61130$323ae220$01fea8c0 -at- Tina>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Start by tracking time on your own projects (or if you've been doing it,
compiling the information into something useful --- that's my New Year's
resolution). Although there are good estimating guidelines out there, the
best information is your own experience in your own company.
Every person-corporation-project mix has a different outcome. For example, I
have tracked my hours with small companies and large companies. Large
company projects usually take more time than small company projects ---
generally because there are more meetings and more reporting requirements.
Anyway, from tracking my time, I have a good sense of my own capabilities
(about 2-3 hours per page written, 1 hour per page online help in an ideal
well-documented project), plus a sense of what factors are going to push
those numbers up (things like complex material; programmers who routinely
ignore screen specifications; report-happy managers; uncooperative
reviewers; managers who trump project features at the last minute).
Good luck. Someone else mentioned the Hackos book, which is a good place to
start.
Regards,
Barb
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+caslon=alltel -dot- net -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+caslon=alltel -dot- net -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of
Robyn Richards
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 5:07 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Resources on estimating documentation projects
Hi all,
Given that it is the New Year and time for those resolutions, I've set
myself a goal of improving my estimating skills for doc projects (time and
effort). Does anyone know of a good book, training course or other resource
that I can use?
Thanks in advance,
Robyn
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:43:59 -0500
From: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Help systems
To: "Broberg, Mats" <mabr -at- flir -dot- se>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<375e3cb30601040543i1a91d73dhb04bdc499bc118e4 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> > What issues are you running into with HTML Help? Wel localize
> > into nearly as many languages (19) without issue...
>
> SE Asian languages too?
Yes, Korean.
> > What do you mean by "MS Help"? As for JavaHelp, its language
> > support is pretty much in line with HTML Help.
>
> MS Help 2.X is one of Microsoft's help formats - one of the latest, I
> think.
>
> http://www.mshelpwiki.com/index.php?page=Help2
Ah, MS HTML Help 2. Please be specific when referencing Help formats,
as there are many.
> The predecessor was HTML Help and the predecessor of that was WinHelp.
> Many of the files (TOC, index, project file) in MS Help are XML files,
> while they are plain text files in HTML Help. So I do believe that it
> would be easier to output MS Help from an XMl system than HTML Help. But
> I may be wrong, ofcourse.
Well, unless you're authoring specifically for Visual Studio
integration, HTML Help 2 is pretty much not an option for you. It's
limited only to .NET IDE integration.
--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
42.8162,-73.7736
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
============================
I support Char James-Tanny for STC Secretary.
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 15:12:22 +0100
From: "Broberg, Mats" <mabr -at- flir -dot- se>
Subject: RE: Help systems
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<58A03E173D75BF49BF8B4B92AA32DFD30118827C -at- se-mail3 -dot- swe -dot- flir -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Bill Swallow wrote:
> > MS Help 2.X is one of Microsoft's help formats - one of the
> latest, I
> > think.
> >
> > http://www.mshelpwiki.com/index.php?page=Help2
>
> Ah, MS HTML Help 2. Please be specific when referencing Help
> formats, as there are many.
I was - not MS HTML Help 2 (which is something that does not exist), but
MS Help 2. MS HTML Help is a different help format than MS Help and
still in an 1.X version.
Best regards,
Mats Broberg
Technical Documentation Manager
www.flirthermography.com
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:06:50 -0500
From: "Karen Casemier" <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com>
Subject: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <63E9670C25FE3C4385602594B7A410D903BE92C5 -at- mail -dot- provia -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
know in the past we've had a discussion about tools like this, but I
cannot seem to come up with the correct search terms for the archives.
I'm going to be designing a website for a non-profit. We need to design
a site with content that is easily updatable by non-technical users -
ideally, those updating the site would not need to update the HTML
directly, but could instead update a single file in Word or a similar
program. I'd like to hear from those of you who have done something
similar and the success you've had with different programs. Also, as
this is for a non-profit, cost is also an issue.
Please cc me directly on replies, as I'm on the digest.
Karen Casemier
Senior Technical Writer
Provia Software Inc.
616.974.8729
"It is not enough for a man to know how to ride; he must know how to
fall"
~Mexican Proverb
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:22:34 -0500
From: Barry Campbell <barry -dot- campbell -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
To: Karen Casemier <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<d24834c90601040822y5b1f1010te32874c83bc6653e -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On 1/4/06, Karen Casemier <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com> wrote:
> I'm going to be designing a website for a non-profit. We need to design
> a site with content that is easily updatable by non-technical users -
> ideally, those updating the site would not need to update the HTML
> directly, but could instead update a single file in Word or a similar
> program. I'd like to hear from those of you who have done something
> similar and the success you've had with different programs. Also, as
> this is for a non-profit, cost is also an issue.
Nvu is an excellent, free, open-source HTML editor with a very good
WYSIWYG mode. Users can publish updates to the site directly from
Nvu.
http://nvu.com
A non-technical but reasonably intelligent user can learn to use Nvu
quickly; if they can handle a word processor, they can handle Nvu.
You'll need to give them a little training on how to upload the file
within Nvu once they update it; that's about it.
- bc
--
Barry Campbell <barry -at- campbell-online -dot- com>
http://campbell-online.com
http://enrevanche.com
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:29:56 -0800 (PST)
From: John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: In love with a word
To: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <20060104162956 -dot- 12769 -dot- qmail -at- web35403 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I just inherited some content from a previous writer. I'd never seen
a situation where a writer seemed to be in love with a word,
especially when it is an inappropriate word (or at least an
inappropriate use of the word). The word? I'll let you pick it out
from the following sample (copied directly, and I'm not referring to
any misspelling)):
"...editor at the location of the typing
cursor whilst maintainging any..."
He used it as often as possible, to the point of being obvious.
Do you have anyone like that?
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
"Bigamy is having one wife
too many. Monogamy is the same."
--Oscar Wilde
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 10:32:49 -0600
From: "Rick Stone" <rstone75 -at- kc -dot- rr -dot- com>
Subject: Re: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
To: "Karen Casemier" <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com>,
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <19e901c6114c$812e9c20$0401a8c0 -at- RicksPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Hi Karen
If the site is using Microsoft FrontPage, one possible inexpensive solution
($49) would be ContentSeed.
http://contentseed.com/
Cheers... Rick :)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karen Casemier" <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com>
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 10:06 AM
Subject: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
know in the past we've had a discussion about tools like this, but I
cannot seem to come up with the correct search terms for the archives.
I'm going to be designing a website for a non-profit. We need to design
a site with content that is easily updatable by non-technical users -
ideally, those updating the site would not need to update the HTML
directly, but could instead update a single file in Word or a similar
program. I'd like to hear from those of you who have done something
similar and the success you've had with different programs. Also, as
this is for a non-profit, cost is also an issue.
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:36:25 -0500
From: Dick Margulis <margulisd -at- comcast -dot- net>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <43BBF989 -dot- 7020508 -at- comcast -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
John Posada wrote:
> I just inherited some content from a previous writer. I'd never seen
> a situation where a writer seemed to be in love with a word,
> especially when it is an inappropriate word (or at least an
> inappropriate use of the word). The word? I'll let you pick it out
> from the following sample (copied directly, and I'm not referring to
> any misspelling)):
>
> "...editor at the location of the typing
> cursor whilst maintainging any..."
>
So he's British. What of it. Global search and replace whilst with while
(two passes, case-sensitive) and be done with it.
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:44:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects
To: Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- westnet -dot- com -dot- au>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <20060104164446 -dot- 4153 -dot- qmail -at- web34205 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Does that book talk about the need to first partition
the system into right-size and equal-size pieces? I
will bet a dollar to a dounut that it doesn't.
Tony Markos
--- Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- westnet -dot- com -dot- au> wrote:
> Hi Robyn -
>
> I'm not sure if Sharon's course is based on JoAnn
> Hackos's book Managing
> Your Documentation Projects. Either way, it's an
> excellent book:
>
> # Paperback: 656 pages
> # Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (March 23, 1994)
> # Language: English
> # ISBN: 0471590991
>
> Regards
>
> Stuart Burnfield
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:45:38 -0500
From: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<375e3cb30601040845p7ffe3113s973f505d08c429 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
No. That's just inconceivable. ;-)
On 1/4/06, John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> I just inherited some content from a previous writer. I'd never seen
> a situation where a writer seemed to be in love with a word,
> especially when it is an inappropriate word (or at least an
> inappropriate use of the word). The word? I'll let you pick it out
> from the following sample (copied directly, and I'm not referring to
> any misspelling)):
> "...editor at the location of the typing
> cursor whilst maintainging any..."
> He used it as often as possible, to the point of being obvious.
> Do you have anyone like that?
--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
42.8162,-73.7736
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
============================
I support Char James-Tanny for STC Secretary.
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 10:48:02 -0600
From: "James Jones" <doc-x -at- earthlink -dot- net>
Subject: RE: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
To: "'Karen Casemier'" <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <000001c6114e$a4295010$0b0110ac -at- ThomJames>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
There is also PostNuke, another open source and free CMS.
http://www.postnuke.com A list of its features is at
http://forums.postnuke.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=FAQ&file=index&myfaq=
yes&id_cat=40#q268 . The website of STC Chicago looks pretty spiffy I think
(http://www.stc-chicago.org) and we use PostNuke. But I doubt that PostNuke
is as easy to use as Nvu.
-----Original Message-----
On 1/4/06, Karen Casemier <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com> wrote:
> I'm going to be designing a website for a non-profit. We need to design
> a site with content that is easily updatable by non-technical users -
> ideally, those updating the site would not need to update the HTML
> directly, but could instead update a single file in Word or a similar
> program. I'd like to hear from those of you who have done something
> similar and the success you've had with different programs. Also, as
> this is for a non-profit, cost is also an issue.
Nvu is an excellent, free, open-source HTML editor with a very good
WYSIWYG mode. Users can publish updates to the site directly from
Nvu. http://nvu.com
A non-technical but reasonably intelligent user can learn to use Nvu
quickly; if they can handle a word processor, they can handle Nvu.
You'll need to give them a little training on how to upload the file
within Nvu once they update it; that's about it.
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:48:30 -0500
From: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects
To: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- westnet -dot- com -dot- au>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<375e3cb30601040848o29e94041oe11469fa41a51353 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Truth be told, equal-size pieces won't happen, but generally yes, you
do need to break the work up if you're ever going to get any thing
remotely resembling an accurate estimate of scope and effort.
As for the book, I haven't read it, and unless you have read it and
are asking a rhetorical question, I wouldn't rule out the content.
On 1/4/06, Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> Does that book talk about the need to first partition
> the system into right-size and equal-size pieces? I
> will bet a dollar to a dounut that it doesn't.
--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
42.8162,-73.7736
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
============================
I support Char James-Tanny for STC Secretary.
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:50:20 -0800 (PST)
From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
To: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <20060104165020 -dot- 90972 -dot- qmail -at- web34214 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Bill:
Can you explain what you mean by "details"?
Thanks,
Tony
--- Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> Scoping out requires detail. Got any?
>
> On 1/3/06, Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> > To all:
> >
> > Any ideas as how to scope out a documentation
> project?
> > (note: not the same as estimating.)
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Tony Markatos
>
> --
> Bill Swallow
> HATT List Owner
> WWP-Users List Owner
> 42.8162,-73.7736
> http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
> ============================
> I support Char James-Tanny for STC Secretary.
>
__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 08:52:10 -0800
From: Sharon Burton <sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <20060104085210 -dot- trwhdif0kgfswggk -at- webmail -dot- anthrobytes -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format="flowed"
Nor does it cover the inportance of red licorice whips and pizza in a
project.
But it does the most accepted quality standards in the industry, such as
CCM,
and how those apply to tech pubs projects.
It's not about analyzing your project, it's about managing it as tho it were
a
project in an organization that is striving for quality, Tony. You might
want
to get the book and then read it. It is the accepted bible in our
field. It has
a lot of important information you should know.
sharon
Sharon Burton
CEO, Anthrobytes Consulting
951-369-8590
www.anthrobytes.com
Quoting Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>:
> Does that book talk about the need to first partition
> the system into right-size and equal-size pieces? I
> will bet a dollar to a dounut that it doesn't.
>
> Tony Markos
>
> --- Stuart Burnfield <slb -at- westnet -dot- com -dot- au> wrote:
>
>> Hi Robyn -
>>
>> I'm not sure if Sharon's course is based on JoAnn
>> Hackos's book Managing
>> Your Documentation Projects. Either way, it's an
>> excellent book:
>>
>> # Paperback: 656 pages
>> # Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (March 23, 1994)
>> # Language: English
>> # ISBN: 0471590991
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Stuart Burnfield
>>
------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:52:05 -0500
From: Al Geist <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <43BBFD35 -dot- 4050503 -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
John Posada wrote:
>I just inherited some content from a previous writer. I'd never seen
>a situation where a writer seemed to be in love with a word,
>especially when it is an inappropriate word (or at least an
>inappropriate use of the word).
>
I had the same thing at a previous position. The VP of Engineering
decided that he and a firmware developer could write their own Help and
thus save the company money. The end result was a bloated non usable
Help festering with words like "amongst" and "utilize(d)." When I took
it upon myself to edit a section and clean up the text, my efforts were
met with "we'd like to do this, but we don't want to destroy the flavor
of what we have...." and "besides they sound better than among or
use(d)." Idiots.... They used to drive me up a friggin wall until I
decided to ignore their ignorance. No use getting yourself tied up in
knots over something you can't control.
Last time I checked, they still have that same flavor Help and it's
still littered with inappropriate words and it still causes more
confusion than help. Moral of the story, you'll probably never get the
original author to change those bad habits, so make a note to be on the
lookout for those words whenever you edit their work.
--
Al Geist, Geist Associates
Technical Writing, Online Help, Marketing Collateral, Web Design, Award
Winning Videos, Professional Photography
Office: 802-658-3140
Cell: 505-400-4128
E-mail: al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com <mailto:al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
URL: www.geistassociates.com <http://www.geistassociates.com> (online
portfolio/resume)
See also:
URL: www.geistimages.com <http://www.geistimages.com> (fine art prints
for home or office and note cards for all occasions)
"When the situation is absolutely hopeless, you have nothing to worry
about."
Compliments of The Monkey Wrench Gang
------------------------------
Message: 17
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:54:10 -0500
From: "Paul Neshamkin" <pauln -at- helpauthors -dot- com>
Subject: RE: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
To: "'Karen Casemier'" <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com>,
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <0e2301c6114f$7c275980$0200a8c0 -at- DESKTOP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Karen,
You might want to take a look at CityDesk from Frog Creek Software
(http://www.fogcreek.com/CityDesk/). An excellent tool for non-technical
users to update a site.
Regards,
Paul Neshamkin
pauln -at- helpauthors -dot- com
MS Help MVP
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help MVP and Certified Trainer
WexTech MVP, Certified Doc-To-Help Trainer
The Paul Neshamkin Group
http://www.helpauthors.com
201-714-9525
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+pauln=helpauthors -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+pauln=helpauthors -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
Of Karen Casemier
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 11:07 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
know in the past we've had a discussion about tools like this, but I cannot
seem to come up with the correct search terms for the archives.
I'm going to be designing a website for a non-profit. We need to design a
site with content that is easily updatable by non-technical users - ideally,
those updating the site would not need to update the HTML directly, but
could instead update a single file in Word or a similar program. I'd like to
hear from those of you who have done something similar and the success
you've had with different programs. Also, as this is for a non-profit, cost
is also an issue.
Please cc me directly on replies, as I'm on the digest.
Karen Casemier
------------------------------
Message: 18
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:55:00 -0500
From: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
To: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<375e3cb30601040855g4280dfc7gc6825aa3fea6de07 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Certainly.
For example, can you provide specifics with regard to the resulting
scoping information you hope to obtain? What types of information?
What metrics do you hope to use? What are you using the scoping to
determine?
And, what kind of documentation project? For what purpose? For what
delivery mechanism? For what authoring strategy?
Basically, you asked an extremely vague question.
Bill
On 1/4/06, Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> Bill:
>
> Can you explain what you mean by "details"?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tony
--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
42.8162,-73.7736
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
============================
I support Char James-Tanny for STC Secretary.
------------------------------
Message: 19
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:57:26 -0800 (PST)
From: John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: Dick Margulis <margulisd -at- comcast -dot- net>
Cc: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <20060104165726 -dot- 67962 -dot- qmail -at- web35401 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I know who wrote it. He's not British.
> > "...editor at the location of the typing
> > cursor whilst maintainging any..."
> >
>
>
> So he's British. What of it. Global search and
> replace whilst with while
> (two passes, case-sensitive) and be done with it.
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
"Bigamy is having one wife
too many. Monogamy is the same."
--Oscar Wilde
------------------------------
Message: 20
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:14:17 -0500
From: Ed Wurster <glassnet -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: HTML/Web Site Authoring Tools for easy updating
To: Karen Casemier <karen -dot- casemier -at- provia -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<210db9520601040914p63914c2bp9c0a0498ace9e7e0 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Karen Casemier wrote:
> I'm going to be designing a website for a non-profit. We need to design
> a site with content that is easily updatable by non-technical users -
> ideally, those updating the site would not need to update the HTML
> directly, but could instead update a single file in Word or a similar
> program. I'd like to hear from those of you who have done something
> similar and the success you've had with different programs. Also, as
> this is for a non-profit, cost is also an issue.
First thing I would do is identify the hosting company, and look at
the details. Some of the proposed solutions may not work, depending on
the type of host.
Second, be careful of the MSO HTML bloat thing. I am experiencing this
first hand, on a site that is heavily used. They are using Excel, Word
and Access, along with PDF files. The bandwidth consumption is
extraordinary, as the HTML files produced by MSO are more than ten
times the expected size. Of course it doesn't matter if you have one
or two files. But in this case there are dozens of 500K+ files being
served. This can lead to extra cost if you pay for bandwidth.
Hope this helps.
--
Ed Wurster (Voorhees, NJ)
Tech Tips Blog
http://www.ewurster.com/html/tech_tips.html
------------------------------
Message: 21
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 12:16:05 -0500
From: Dick Margulis <margulisd -at- comcast -dot- net>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <43BC02D5 -dot- 3070507 -at- comcast -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
John Posada wrote:
> I know who wrote it. He's not British.
>
>
Pretentious anglophile twit. Whatever.
------------------------------
Message: 22
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 12:18:24 -0500
From: "Fred Ridder" <docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <BAY106-F2781A75D18018D84CAFB59BA2F0 -at- phx -dot- gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Oh, great. It looks like we're going to start the new year
with yet another one of these pointless pseudo-discussions
over silly semantic issues.
What does "scoping" mean?
What does "scoping" mean if it excludes "estimating"?
What does "estimating" mean?
What does "details" mean?
What does "mean" mean?
Bah, humbug.
>From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
>To: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
>CC: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>Subject: Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
>Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 08:50:20 -0800 (PST)
>
>Bill:
>
>Can you explain what you mean by "details"?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Tony
>
>--- Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>
> > Scoping out requires detail. Got any?
> >
> > On 1/3/06, Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> > > To all:
> > >
> > > Any ideas as how to scope out a documentation
> > project?
> > > (note: not the same as estimating.)
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Tony Markatos
> >
> > --
> > Bill Swallow
> > HATT List Owner
> > WWP-Users List Owner
> > 42.8162,-73.7736
> > http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
> > ============================
> > I support Char James-Tanny for STC Secretary.
_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!
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------------------------------
Message: 23
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 09:21:36 -0800 (PST)
From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects
To: Sharon Burton <sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com>,
techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <20060104172136 -dot- 416 -dot- qmail -at- web34211 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Sharon:
So what is the essence of her approach to time
estimating: history (maybe Ok if your doing a
knock-off, but many - maybe most of us - don't do too
many of those)? anticipated page count? number of
developers?
Thanks,
Tony
P.S. You know Sharon, Hackos credits Yourdon as a
source of inspiration.
"It is only by dying (i.e., following the flow of
data) that we are born again (i.e., come to understand
the underlying logic of a software system)" - AJ
Markos
--- Sharon Burton <sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com> wrote:
> Nor does it cover the inportance of red licorice
> whips and pizza in a project.
> But it does the most accepted quality standards in
> the industry, such as CCM,
> and how those apply to tech pubs projects.
>
> It's not about analyzing your project, it's about
> managing it as tho it were a
> project in an organization that is striving for
> quality, Tony. You might want
> to get the book and then read it. It is the accepted
> bible in our
> field. It has
> a lot of important information you should know.
>
__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Message: 24
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:27:53 -0500
From: "Dan Goldstein" <DGoldstein -at- riverainmedical -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Resources on estimating documentation projects
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<0ADA9A22B5BC2147B360A22FD2BAD25C437474 -at- RMGBEX01 -dot- rmg -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
RTFM*, and have a nice day.
*Read The Ferschlugginer Manual
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tony Markos
> Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 12:22 PM
> To: Sharon Burton; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects
>
> Sharon:
>
> So what is the essence of her approach to time
> estimating: history (maybe Ok if your doing a
> knock-off, but many - maybe most of us - don't do too
> many of those)? anticipated page count? number of
> developers?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tony
>
> P.S. You know Sharon, Hackos credits Yourdon as a
> source of inspiration.
>
> "It is only by dying (i.e., following the flow of
> data) that we are born again (i.e., come to understand
> the underlying logic of a software system)" - AJ
> Markos
>
> --- Sharon Burton <> wrote:
>
> > Nor does it cover the importance of red licorice
> > whips and pizza in a project.
> > But it does the most accepted quality standards in
> > the industry, such as CCM,
> > and how those apply to tech pubs projects.
> >
> > It's not about analyzing your project, it's about
> > managing it as tho it were a
> > project in an organization that is striving for
> > quality, Tony. You might want
> > to get the book and then read it. It is the accepted
> > bible in our
> > field. It has
> > a lot of important information you should know.
> >
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Message: 25
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:56:58 -0600
From: "James Jones" <doc-x -at- earthlink -dot- net>
Subject: RE: Scoping a Documentation Project??
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <000101c61158$47519140$0b0110ac -at- ThomJames>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
This textbook that I used in a technical communication course a couple of
years ago might be helpful. The book is:
How to Communicate Technical Information
Jonathan Price and Henry Korman, Addison-Wesley 1993, ISBN 0 805 36829 9
Jim Jones http://www.tinyurl.com/4arjc
-----Original Message-----
John Posada wrote
...the first week of a project gathering...a list of every conceivable
feature...I'll comb existing specs or notes, speak with developers, business
analysts and PMs, and use my common sense and experience to know what topics
I might have. For example, if I see there is a topic called X, I might
figure I'll eventualy have a "Create X", "Use X", "Delete X".
Then, knowing how I write, which is to standardize on about 1/2 page per
heading, I count up the items on my list and come up with the page estimate
of two topics per page...
------------------------------
Message: 26
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 13:10:00 -0500
From: "Nuckols, Kenneth M" <Kenneth -dot- Nuckols -at- mybrighthouse -dot- com>
Subject: RE: In love with a word
To: "Bill Swallow" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>, "John Posada"
<jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<FC6E21AAF4B72E48BAF6302F98B17A1D0122CEE2 -at- CFVSEXCH -dot- corp -dot- local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Bill Swallow said...
>
> No. That's just inconceivable. ;-)
>
> On 1/4/06, John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> > I just inherited some content from a previous writer. I'd never seen
> > a situation where a writer seemed to be in love with a word,
> > especially when it is an inappropriate word (or at least an
> > inappropriate use of the word). The word? I'll let you pick it out
> > from the following sample (copied directly, and I'm not referring to
> > any misspelling)):
> > "...editor at the location of the typing
> > cursor whilst maintainging any..."
> > He used it as often as possible, to the point of being obvious.
> > Do you have anyone like that?
>
Thanks, Bill...
That's the fourth "Princess Bride" reference I've run across today.
I really wish they would all just go away.
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------------------------------
Message: 27
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 13:22:51 -0500
From: Peter Neilson <neilson -at- alltel -dot- net>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <43BC127B -dot- 6050200 -at- alltel -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Dick Margulis wrote:
> John Posada wrote:
>
>> I know who wrote it. He's not British.
>>
>
> Pretentious anglophile twit. Whatever.
Everyone thinks there a techincal writer, jussed like everyone
thinks their a quailty engineer. Why don't they all clame to
be bridge dezingers, tooo?
------------------------------
Message: 28
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 13:31:01 -0500
From: "Johnson, Tom" <TJohnson -at- starcutter -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Resources on estimating documentation projects
To: "Tony Markos" <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>, "Sharon Burton"
<sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<F5618004A073904B92ADDF3A1A17FB7A1760DE -at- star-mailbe1 -dot- starcutter -dot- net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Tony,
Yes, estimating requires analysis. Is that the word you're hoping someone
will use?
You have to look at the thing you're documenting and find out what it is
that you have to describe, teach, or convey to the reader/learner. You have
to ask your SME what they want covered, to what depth, and how much do they
think they want to pay (or come up with that figure on your own).
There are different ways to compile your estimate. I've even heard some
people have used DFD's to get a handle on the project.
You might also find out the scope is closely related to the estimate.
Tom Johnson
Technical Writer
tjohnson -at- starcutter -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+tjohnson=starcutter -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+tjohnson=starcutter -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]On
Behalf Of Tony Markos
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 12:22 PM
To: Sharon Burton; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Resources on estimating documentation projects
Sharon:
So what is the essence of her approach to time
estimating: history (maybe Ok if your doing a
knock-off, but many - maybe most of us - don't do too
many of those)? anticipated page count? number of
developers?
Thanks,
Tony
P.S. You know Sharon, Hackos credits Yourdon as a
source of inspiration.
"It is only by dying (i.e., following the flow of
data) that we are born again (i.e., come to understand
the underlying logic of a software system)" - AJ
Markos
--- Sharon Burton <sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com> wrote:
> Nor does it cover the inportance of red licorice
> whips and pizza in a project.
> But it does the most accepted quality standards in
> the industry, such as CCM,
> and how those apply to tech pubs projects.
>
> It's not about analyzing your project, it's about
> managing it as tho it were a
> project in an organization that is striving for
> quality, Tony. You might want
> to get the book and then read it. It is the accepted
> bible in our
> field. It has
> a lot of important information you should know.
>
------------------------------
Message: 29
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 10:45:57 -0800 (PST)
From: John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: Peter Neilson <neilson -at- alltel -dot- net>, "List,Techwriter"
<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <20060104184557 -dot- 24306 -dot- qmail -at- web35412 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> Everyone thinks there a techincal writer, jussed like everyone
> thinks their a quailty engineer. Why don't they all clame to
> be bridge dezingers, tooo?
Hi, Peter...actually, the example I gave from that writer is typical
of that writer. Most of his written content was superficial and
pretty much limited to stating the obvious with a flavoring of
"special" words that I'm sure made him think his writing was a
special as the words he used.
An example (the piece in front of me now). The product I'm
documenting includes an HTML editor. There is a button that launches
what is called a "Code Gallery", where you can select pieces of
existing content for inclusion in a web page. However, as far as he
went was to say "Click the x button to launch the "Code Snippet
Gallery". However, you would think he would at least go into how to
get code into the gallery or how to modify existing content?
What I'm getting at is for a technical writer to be a Technical
Writer (regardless of what the business card says), the writer has to
get a reader to where you want him or her to go, but then tell them
what to do once they get there. Never think that because you are
using pretentious words, your writing is special. Word selection and
style (whether proper or not) is only part of it.
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
"Bigamy is having one wife
too many. Monogamy is the same."
--Oscar Wilde
------------------------------
Message: 30
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:51:25 -0600
From: "Martinek, Carla" <CMartinek -at- zebra -dot- com>
Subject: RE: In love with a word
To: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<56BB7301E340C54291D9728333B94F09050BF5AC -at- 03s03exch02 -dot- zebra -dot- lan>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
A recent contractor constantly used the word "tautology" in all of his
markups.
More than one person here asked me what it meant. :-)
tau*tol*o*gy n. pl. tau*tol*o*gies
1. a. Needless repetition of the same sense in different words;
redundancy.
b. An instance of such repetition.
2. Logic. An empty or vacuous statement composed of simpler statements
in a fashion that makes it logically true whether the simpler statements
are factually true or false; for example, the statement "Either it will
rain tomorrow or it will not rain tomorrow."
-Carla
cmartinek -at- zebra -dot- com
- CONFIDENTIAL-
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Message: 31
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:17:09 -0800 (PST)
From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Scoping vs Estimating
To: "Johnson, Tom" <TJohnson -at- starcutter -dot- com>, Sharon Burton
<sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <20060104191709 -dot- 4678 -dot- qmail -at- web34213 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Tom Johnson:
You might findout the scope is closely related to the
estimate.
Tony Markos:
Scope is a major input to estimating; however, scoping
out a documentation project (i.e., determining the
extent of the project) is a different activity than is
time estimating a doc project.
In scoping, the emphasis is on discovering the
interfaces between the "system" and the "outside
world" (rigor in IDing interfaces provides for rigor
in defining the system boundary). Not so during
estimating.
Estimating is largely about properly chunking the
system down into right-size and equal-size pieces;
this is not nearly so with scoping.
Granted, I am sure that many lump both processes
together and call the whole thing estimating, but that
does not change the fact that they are two distinct
entities. Requirements engineers have seperate tools
for each.
Tom Johnson:
Yes, estimating requires analysis. Is that the word
you're hoping someone will use?
Tony Markos:
Not sure what you mean her Tom, unless you are
referring to my distinguishing saying (below), which I
often put after my closing salutation.
Tony Markos
"It is only by dying (i.e., following the flow of
data) that we are born again (i.e., come to understand
the underlying logic of a system)." - AJ Markos
__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Message: 32
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 13:27:43 -0600
From: John Cook <john -dot- cook -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<4953067c0601041127s75f21448qb58bfb071bda5ce8 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On 1/4/06, John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> Hi, Peter...actually, the example I gave from that writer is typical
> of that writer. Most of his written content was superficial and
> pretty much limited to stating the obvious with a flavoring of
> "special" words that I'm sure made him think his writing was a
> special as the words he used.
The thing is, it's not just knowing those "special" words. It's also
knowing when /not/ to use them (which, being special, is likely
"seldom" or "never", at least as far as technical documentation is
concerned).
I save my creative writing for after work; clarity and substance by
day, creativity and style by night.
It's a system.
--
John Cook
Technical Writer / Help Author
john dot cook at gmail dot com
------------------------------
Message: 33
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 14:28:37 -0500
From: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Scoping vs Estimating
To: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: "Johnson, Tom" <TJohnson -at- starcutter -dot- com>,
techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<375e3cb30601041128n3e57534seffe760488405a4a -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> Scope is a major input to estimating; however, scoping
> out a documentation project (i.e., determining the
> extent of the project) is a different activity than is
> time estimating a doc project.
Agreed. Scoping is qualitative and estimation is quantitative.
> In scoping, the emphasis is on discovering the
> interfaces between the "system" and the "outside
> world" (rigor in IDing interfaces provides for rigor
> in defining the system boundary). Not so during
> estimating.
>
> Estimating is largely about properly chunking the
> system down into right-size and equal-size pieces;
> this is not nearly so with scoping.
I think you're trying to draw a distinction in the wrong place here.
Scoping involves breaking down the "thing" into "thing-ettes". This is
not unique to estimation. Where scoping ends and estimation begins is
where level of effort enterss the equation. LoE is specific to
estimation, where you're tying quantitative metrics to a qualitative
breakdown of a thing (scoping).
> Granted, I am sure that many lump both processes
> together and call the whole thing estimating, but that
> does not change the fact that they are two distinct
> entities. Requirements engineers have seperate tools
> for each.
As do project managers and engineering leads.
> "It is only by dying (i.e., following the flow of
> data) that we are born again (i.e., come to understand
> the underlying logic of a system)." - AJ Markos
I think you're reaching too deep there. ;-)
--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
42.8162,-73.7736
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
============================
I support Char James-Tanny for STC Secretary.
------------------------------
Message: 34
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 11:52:08 -0800
From: "Nagai, Paul" <pnagai -at- visa -dot- com>
Subject: RE: In love with a word
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<430625553CD00E4780C17F9C42173D9D093F1253 -at- sw720ex016 -dot- visa -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> A recent contractor constantly used the word "tautology"
> in all of his markups.
He must be a lexiphanicist.
------
Paul Nagai
------------------------------
Message: 35
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 15:05:24 -0500
From: "Melissa Nelson" <melmis36 -at- hotmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <BAY105-F36D04F646A04561F03984CD92F0 -at- phx -dot- gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
I save my creative writing for after work; clarity and substance by
>day, creativity and style by night.
>
>It's a system.
Awww if only everyone followed that system...what a wonderful (or at least
easier to understand) world it would be!! :)
Melissa
From: John Cook <john -dot- cook -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: "List,Techwriter" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 13:27:43 -0600
>On 1/4/06, John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
> > Hi, Peter...actually, the example I gave from that writer is typical
> > of that writer. Most of his written content was superficial and
> > pretty much limited to stating the obvious with a flavoring of
> > "special" words that I'm sure made him think his writing was a
> > special as the words he used.
>
>The thing is, it's not just knowing those "special" words. It's also
>knowing when /not/ to use them (which, being special, is likely
>"seldom" or "never", at least as far as technical documentation is
>concerned).
>
>I save my creative writing for after work; clarity and substance by
>day, creativity and style by night.
>
>It's a system.
>
>--
>John Cook
>Technical Writer / Help Author
>john dot cook at gmail dot com
>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>Now Shipping -- WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word! Easily create online
>Help. And online anything else. Redesigned interface with a new
>project-based workflow. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
>
>Doc-To-Help 2005 now has RoboHelp Converter and HTML Source: Author
>content and configure Help in MS Word or any HTML editor. No
>proprietary editor! *August release.
>http://www.componentone.com/TECHWRL/DocToHelp2005
>
>---
>You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as melmis36 -at- hotmail -dot- com -dot-
>
>To unsubscribe send a blank email to
>techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>or visit
>http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/melmis36%40hotmail.com
>
>To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
>http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
>
_________________________________________________________________
Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
------------------------------
Message: 36
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:16:53 -0800
From: "Julia Countryman" <julia -at- dreamcatcher-media -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <007801c6116b$cd7ea600$f054fea9 -at- BigDell>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Wouldn't it though!
I once worked with a writer who (seriously) wrote the following intro on a
process spec:
"This document is to be the end all and be all, the ultimate source of
knowledge about the Widget 5000 Ultra thingy"
Made me cringe just to write that.
Julia Countryman
DreamCatcher Media Services, Inc.
Photography, Videography, Writing Services, and MacGuyvering
951-659-6057
> Awww if only everyone followed that system...what a wonderful (or at least
> easier to understand) world it would be!! :)
>
> Melissa
>
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.12/220 - Release Date: 1/3/2006
------------------------------
Message: 37
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:21:06 -0800
From: "Julia Countryman" <julia -at- dreamcatcher-media -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <007e01c6116c$6499f7b0$f054fea9 -at- BigDell>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Unless maybe it's really "speshul" ;)
The key to being a good, effective writer is to get the message across as
simply and as clearly as possible. Fancy words used flagrantly are a
display of an insecure ego (sorta Freud, who was a wonderful writer, btw)
and waste a lot of good paper.
Julia Countryman
DreamCatcher Media Services, Inc.
Photography, Videography, Writing Services, and MacGuyvering
951-659-6057
John Posada wrote:
>" Never think that because you are using pretentious words, your writing is
special."
>
> John Posada
> Senior Technical Writer
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.12/220 - Release Date: 1/3/2006
------------------------------
Message: 38
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:14:52 -0800
From: Jeff Scattini <jeff -dot- scattini -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: FrameMaker 7.2 Generated Files
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<3d79bb70601041214g69f1037dla0d30bbb59749986 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi all,
I'm hoping you can help me with bashing my head against a wall.
I am trying to get an index template to take hold in FrameMaker 7.2.
The directions, according to Adobe, are as follows:
"To have FrameMaker use a template for a generated file:
Copy the template to the source document's folder using the same file
name as the list or index.
Generate the list or index."
The problem is that if I generate an IX file, Frame won't let me
re-name the template to that file. If I re-name the template file and
add it to the book, the book doesn't have the command to generate an
index.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jeff
------------------------------
Message: 39
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 12:42:29 -0800
From: Jeff Scattini <jeff -dot- scattini -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: FrameMaker 7.2 Generated Files
To: "Karen L. Zorn" <k -dot- zorn -at- zorntech -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<3d79bb70601041242o39b3cc1l85632f67845bff96 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Ah ha!
Thank you so much, I had been doing it all backwards!
Jeff
On 1/4/06, Karen L. Zorn <k -dot- zorn -at- zorntech -dot- com> wrote:
> >I am trying to get an index template to take hold in FrameMaker 7.2. The
> directions, according to >Adobe, are as follows:
>
> Try this:
> 1. Generate the index.
> 2. Save the index.
> 3. Open the template file.
> 4. File > Save As the template file as the named generated file. In other
> words, over write the generated file with the template.
> 5. Update the generated files.
>
> Works every time. This process came from "The Complete Reference,
FrameMaker
> 7.0" by O'Keefe and Loring.
>
> Karen L. Zorn
> Zorn Technologies, Inc.
> Mesa, AZ
>
> O: 480.354.0537
> M: 480.226.4409
>
> Documentation, Training, FrameMaker Consulting
>
>
>
>
>
>
------------------------------
Message: 40
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 13:11:17 -0800 (PST)
From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Scoping vs Estimating
To: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: "Johnson, Tom" <TJohnson -at- starcutter -dot- com>,
techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <20060104211117 -dot- 26495 -dot- qmail -at- web34206 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Bill Swallow:
Scoping is qualitative and estimation is
quantitative.
Tony Markos:
We must be talking about two different things.
Bill Swallow:
Scoping involves breaking down the "thing" into
"thing-ettes".
Tony Markos:
I say this is part of estimating - not scoping. The
requirements engineering community provides the only
formal system scoping technique that I know of. Try
researching "Context Diagram".
__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Message: 41
Date: Wed, 04 Jan 2006 16:21:39 -0500
From: "Fred Ridder" <docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Scoping vs Estimating
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <BAY106-F52ADCE9888F550CADD62CBA2F0 -at- phx -dot- gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Mmmm, more semantics...
>From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
>To: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
>CC: "Johnson, Tom" <TJohnson -at- starcutter -dot- com>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>Subject: Re: Scoping vs Estimating
>Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 13:11:17 -0800 (PST)
>
>
>Bill Swallow:
>
> Scoping is qualitative and estimation is
>quantitative.
>
>Tony Markos:
>
>We must be talking about two different things.
>
>Bill Swallow:
>
>Scoping involves breaking down the "thing" into
>"thing-ettes".
>
>Tony Markos:
>
>I say this is part of estimating - not scoping. The
>requirements engineering community provides the only
>formal system scoping technique that I know of. Try
>researching "Context Diagram".
_________________________________________________________________
Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
------------------------------
Message: 42
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 13:26:27 -0800 (PST)
From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
To: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <20060104212627 -dot- 33616 -dot- qmail -at- web34204 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Bill Swallow:
Can you provide specifics with regard to the resulting
scoping information you hope to obtain?
Tony Markos:
What we are after in scoping: Definition of the extent
of the system. Somewhere the system has to end - it
can not go on forever. Research "Context Diagram" to
see what I mean.
Bill Swallow
What types of information [is one after in scoping]?
Tony Markos:
The boundaries of the system.
Bill Swallow:
What metrics do you hope to use?
Tony Markos:
I am not aware of any applicable metrics.
Bill Swallow:
What are you using the scoping to determine?
Tony Markos:
The extent of the system - what it encompases and what
it does not.
Bill Swallow:
And, what kind of documentation project?
Tony Markos:
Any software related documentation project in which
the scope needs to be determined, such as when the TW
is creating the software requirements specs or a
pre-devlopment test plan.
Bill Swallow:
For what purpose?
Tony Markos:
Scope is a major input to estimating. It also sets
the boundary to requirements specification.
Bill Swallow:
For what delivery mechanism? For what authoring
strategy?
Tony Markos:
Dont make a difference.
Bill Swallow:
__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Message: 43
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 16:49:30 -0500
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <003801c61178$bfd91320$45a0ec42 -at- GranatEditOne>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> -----Original Message-----
>On Behalf
Of Tony Markos
> By "scoping out" a software documentation project, I
> mean determining the "extent of" the project.
>
You explain whatever a user needs to know over and above prerequisite
knowledge for using the software.
> (Note: This scoping needs to be done when the TW is
> not creating documentation for an already developed
> (i.e., scope already firmed) product - like for
> requirements specs or test plans.)
>
You say you're not scoping an already developed product. So you are
attempting to get a lighting setting for a photograph at 5:00 p.m. of the
person who will sit across from you at the dinnertable at 7:00 p.m.?
If that's the case, then you consult with the developers and determine what
their neurons are doing.
They create software or software plans, you document. You cannot "scope" out
a documentation project for something that doesn't exist yet unless you talk
to the developers or look at firm plans for the software.
Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com
------------------------------
Message: 44
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 17:48:03 -0500
From: Susan W. Gallagher <sgallagher5 -at- cox -dot- net>
Subject: Re: Re: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
To: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<20060104224932 -dot- PFVB20875 -dot- fed1rmmtao03 -dot- cox -dot- net -at- [172 -dot- 18 -dot- 180 -dot- 8]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Tony,
When I "scope" a documentation project, I ask two questions.
1. Does the user need to know this?
2. Is it my responsibility to tell them?
If I ask these questions about a chunk of information and the
answer is yes, the information is within the scope of the
document. For example:
How to open a file - does the user need to know? Yes. Is it
my responsibility to tell them? Unless I work for MS and
document the Windows UI, no. So documenting the Windows UI
is not within the scope of the document.
Of course, depending on the project, other questions can be
determining factors in "scoping" a project. For example, if
I'm contracting (as opposed to working as a regular employee),
whether a task is included in the Statement of Work is also
a valid question. If the SOW says "edit and format 100 pages
of text" and suddenly the client wants an additional 50 pages
done, those 50 pages could be accused of being outside the
scope of the SOW, whether or not they could be considered as
legitimately within the scope of the document.
Of course, frequently the scope of a documentation project
is simply defined as the scope of the UI of the product to
be documented. And when you deal with self-defining scope,
as we all so frequently do, it ceases to be a big deal and
tends to be taken for granted.
-Sue Gallagher
> Tony Markos:
>
> What we are after in scoping: Definition of the extent
> of the system. Somewhere the system has to end - it
> can not go on forever. Research "Context Diagram" to
> see what I mean.
>
------------------------------
Message: 45
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 15:49:02 -0800 (PST)
From: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
To: Bonnie Granat <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>,
techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID: <20060104234902 -dot- 80917 -dot- qmail -at- web34207 -dot- mail -dot- mud -dot- yahoo -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Bonnie Gramat stated:
They [developers] create software or software plans,
you document [using their software or plan as your
input]. You cannot "scope" out a documentation project
for something that doesn't exist yet unless you talk
to the developers or look at firm plans for the
software.
Tony Markos responds:
If the TW is working pre-development on, for example,
a requirements spec, it has been my experience that
most often the TW is not simply given a scope
statement with the required degree of rigor. Frankly
Bonnie, I usually get a disjointed mess called a plan
of some sort and I am charged with creating a
smooth-flowing user-friendly requirement doc.
To create such a doc in such situations, the TW has to
draw the scope out of the developers. And, for
larger-scale systems, a fairly rigorous and formal
process seems to be required. It is this process of
proding the developers (and/or SMEs) that I am asking
about.
__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about.
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com
------------------------------
Message: 46
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 19:13:36 -0500
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Scoping a DocumentationProject??
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <004501c6118c$e4413490$45a0ec42 -at- GranatEditOne>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tony Markos
>
> Tony Markos responds:
> It is this process of proding the developers (and/or SMEs) that I am
asking about.
>
That was not at all clear from the conversation on this list that I've been
following. There are myriad styles of gathering information. I would
recommend consulting a few books that treat how to do so if you have no
applicable experience in conducting research.
Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com
------------------------------
Message: 47
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 19:22:13 -0500
From: David Castro <thejavaguy -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: Julia Countryman <julia -at- dreamcatcher-media -dot- com>
Cc: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID:
<8319ca490601041622k763750f8v6e0a980e6d275913 -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On 1/4/06, Julia Countryman <julia -at- dreamcatcher-media -dot- com> wrote:
> The key to being a good, effective writer is to get the message across as
> simply and as clearly as possible. Fancy words used flagrantly are a
> display of an insecure ego
Funny that this should come up...I was considering posting about an
epiphany that I had a couple of days ago.
I inherited content from someone who was just let go from my company.
The guy could really turn a phrase, when he had the time. He used the
perfect sentence structure, and the perfect word. The content got
across *exactly* what it was supposed to...if the reader was at the
same level as this writer. We write for the military, which requires
that we write to the seventh grade level. I'm going to be making a
pass through the two documents that I currently own to simplify both
sentence structure and vocabulary. It may mean replacing one really
good word with five mediocre words that are required to get the point
across to my audience.
My epiphany: sometimes there's the Perfect Word and the Most
Appropriate Word. They're frequently not the same thing!
-David Castro
thejavaguy -at- gmail -dot- com
------------------------------
Message: 48
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 22:28:07 -0500
From: Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Scoping vs Estimating
To: Tony Markos <ajmarkos -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: "Johnson, Tom" <TJohnson -at- starcutter -dot- com>,
techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Message-ID:
<375e3cb30601041928m5de8d70ep6477ef963f9dd10b -at- mail -dot- gmail -dot- com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> Bill Swallow:
>
> Scoping is qualitative and estimation is
> quantitative.
>
> Tony Markos:
>
> We must be talking about two different things.
Frankly, Tony, I'm not sure what the heck you're talking about anymore.
> Bill Swallow:
>
> Scoping involves breaking down the "thing" into
> "thing-ettes".
>
> Tony Markos:
>
> I say this is part of estimating - not scoping. The
> requirements engineering community provides the only
> formal system scoping technique that I know of. Try
> researching "Context Diagram".
I am well aware of what a context diagram is. It's a good tool, but
not the only one to use in proper project scoping and estimation.
--
Bill Swallow
HATT List Owner
WWP-Users List Owner
42.8162,-73.7736
http://techcommdood.blogspot.com
============================
I support Char James-Tanny for STC Secretary.
------------------------------
Message: 49
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 22:34:41 -0500
From: "Kirk Turner" <royj -at- alltel -dot- net>
Subject: Word TOC question
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
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When I insert a table of contents into my manual, the table does not
include the 1st and 2nd level headings. I'm almost sure that I haven't
set the TOC options correctly, but after changing just about every
setting on the options tab, I'm at a loss at to what to do. Any
thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks,
Kirk
------------------------------
Message: 50
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 23:22:58 -0500
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>
Subject: RE: Word TOC question
To: "'Kirk Turner'" <royj -at- alltel -dot- net>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <001001c611af$b7da3dc0$80a0ec42 -at- GranatEditOne>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l
> .com] On Behalf Of Kirk Turner
> Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 10:35 PM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Word TOC question
>
> When I insert a table of contents into my manual, the table does not
> include the 1st and 2nd level headings. I'm almost sure that I haven't
> set the TOC options correctly, but after changing just about every
> setting on the options tab, I'm at a loss at to what to do. Any
> thoughts/suggestions?
>
You need to find the style name you are actually using in the document for
your first-level heading on the left side of the Options dialog box and type
1 in the white box next to the style name. Make sure the Styles box at the
top of the dialog box is selected.
Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com
------------------------------
Message: 51
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2006 13:19:12 +0800
From: Stuart Burnfield <sburnf -at- au1 -dot- ibm -dot- com>
Subject: Wrong by definition
To: austechwriter -at- freelists -dot- org, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
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<OFAAE2CA3C -dot- ADD6FD65-ON482570ED -dot- 001ABF87-482570ED -dot- 001D395C -at- au1 -dot- ibm -dot- com>
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About three-quarters of the way through this article there's an example of
a sort of pop-up glossary.
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2451/
If you hover the pointer over the underlined term "IP", a definition is
displayed rather like a tooltip. Looking at the page source, this is
achieved through a tag like this:
<acronym title="Internet Protocol">IP</acronym>
The intention is good, but unfortunately in this case the definition is
wrong--IP refers to intellectual property. Winning idea, losing
performance, as my old boss used to say.
I think the technique has promise, but as this example shows... check your
work! check your work! check your work!
Stuart
------------------------------
Message: 52
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 21:45:48 -0800
From: "Julia Countryman" <julia -at- dreamcatcher-media -dot- com>
Subject: Re: In love with a word
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Message-ID: <00bb01c611bb$47e0a8e0$f054fea9 -at- BigDell>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
David Castro wrote:
"My epiphany: sometimes there's the Perfect Word and the Most
Appropriate Word. They're frequently not the same thing!"
That brought to mind hearing someone describe a part to someone else "You
know that little roundy round thingy?"
Funny part was, they both knew the real name, and what each other was
talking about. Watching these little encapsulated language/communication
evolutions is so entertaining!
Julia Countryman
DreamCatcher Media Services, Inc.
Photography, Videography, Writing Services, and MacGuyvering
951-659-6057
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