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.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
The New Communication (was Formality going Bye, Bye)
Subject:The New Communication (was Formality going Bye, Bye) From:Collin T <tutivillus -at- gmail -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Thu, 9 Feb 2006 09:24:21 -0700
---------------------Nuckols, Kenneth M said:
>If we are a more "immediate" society, then I would submit it's out of
>necessity and not necessarily "dumbing down." There's more "stuff" to
>know, therefore, it's more important that we "know it when we need it."
>If anything, IMO, the educational paradigm should be about teaching
>students (1) a basic understanding of a broad variety of subjects, and
>_more important_ (2) a thorough understanding of how to quickly and
>efficiently winnow through the intellectual "chaff" that bombards one on
>a daily basis to find pertinent and useful information when it is
>needed.
---------------------Collin replied
This brings up a very interesting point.
As a techwriter AND multimedia developer I see the world outside of
words. I've paid careful attention to how our society communicates.
I've watched my kids use their Text Messaging and Chats. I've noticed
how my regular email, chat and Text Messaging habits have evolved.
And I have been working with Video/Flash based training for years now.
It all points to one thing that Kenneth touched on.
We are being bombarded by information. Our "Information Exposure" is
not unlike like UV rays -- we can't avoid them and we absorb them even
when we think we're protected.
I know, as a Technical Writer, that Imagery and Interactivity are
becoming more important. I fire up Captivate and work my words into
the "video" I produce. It seems a perfect fusion of Traditional
communication and the New Communication.
I know this topic has been hi many times. But my point is this:
Technical writing and interactivity must begin working together. In
addition, we must strive to meet the "Communication Norm" that is
being born out of modern communication tools.
What does this include?
1. Less formality for the greater user base.
2. Incorporation Interactive technologies (Captivate, Video,
Interactive help (smart help), etc) must be used in place of
screenshots and simple description.
3. Creating new and interesting deliveries of written and online material.
How is this to be done? Well, I have my ideas, but what are some of yours?
-Collin Turner
--
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long
plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die
like dogs. There's also a negative side."
- Hunter S. Thompson
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today!. http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
