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.
Great summary! I'm really glad to see some long-time contributors who've been away for a while coming back, like Geoff Hart and Tom Murrell, among others.
How come the recap is for October 9, when it's now June, almost July? Did I sleep through summer?
Some of the tinyURL links in this summary seem to lack the requisite http prefix, I think. At least they're not clickable.
Keep up the great work. It's appreciated. This is a great community.
From: INKtopia Admin <admin -at- inktopia -dot- net>
Subject: TECHWHIRLER RECAP FOR OCTOBER 9
To: "Techwr-l" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Friday, June 24, 2011, 8:44 AM
This weekâs update is supported by Platinum sponsor Madcap & Flare 7 |
goo.gl/pg2HQ
With the sounds of Country Roads and a faint crackle of a slowly roasting
couch, itâs this weekâs TechWhirler Recap. Updates like these, weâve been
told, are almost heaven.
This week, in lieu of another 5000 word multipart essay, weâve been talking
about trends. Some teasers in a blatant attempt to get you to click: social
media is all talk, things are becoming cloudy, ROI is more valuable than
ever and thereâs a small but growing movement to go back to 350 page paper
manuals â read more (goo.gl/T4BW0).
Speaking of surveys, our first annual TechWhirl survey is still open, but
like a diner on a windy road, itâll close someday and that someday is next
Tuesday. So, can you please go take it? (goo.gl/MwgmA) Our best design
flaw on the survey so far â asking people who can only get the survey via
the email list if theyâre indeed on the email list. The fact only 97% of
people say they are indeed on the list is a little troubling. [I keep
wondering how bad my paragraph transitions will need to be to get a
complaint but still nothing, however put the wrong article in front of a
sponsor name â]
Our exhausting, no thatâs not right, our exhaustive discussion on Social
Media, which only seems to be used by conference presenters, consultants and
bored online magazines comes to an end next week. The Special Writers Unit
(Special Writersâ Unit?) are at this very moment â right now â diligently
pounding out articles for next monthâs topic: Career Decisions or
Transitions, or My boss is stinks and I keep shooting into the ground around
my house but canât find oil so I better get a new job month (extra points if
you catch the reference).
Weâre very excited on a number of levels. First, weâre excited that we get
to publish Jacquie Samuels (SWU) first article on TechWhirl and for the
Special Writers Unit, second Connieâs excited that she wonât have to write
an article that should take two weeks in two days and third â did we mention
weâre tired of this topic â for now?
Now is later so it is time to promote our â Social Media stuff:
Are you are Facebook Friend? Would you like to be â no charge â more fun
than a barrel of monkeys | http://goo.gl/tDrW7
Want all this TechWhirl goodness 140 characters @ a time | http://goo.gl/itjDg
Funâs over â put on your hardhats and go back to the mine.
What Youâre Talking About
Quick shout outs to our Tech Writers and their discussions:
oÂÂÂâQuestion about "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Technical Writingââasked
by Craig Cardimon with answers that generated new questions about modifiers
and marketing, and Krista let us know a new version is in the works.
oÂÂÂKevin McLaughlin issued a âWARNING! Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!â with
really great questions about regulatory compliance and labeling on products
and the importance of getting the right experts involved.
oÂÂÂCat Salm is challenged by the review âprocessâ in her organization and
is looking for advice on âcreating a template with lockedâ sections and
style. Whirlers are responding with advice on Word forms and web pages.
Keep us posted on the outcome.
In Case You Missed it: This Week @ TechWhirl
ÂÂ Â Â New: âTop 5 Trends in Tech Writingâ by Connie Giordano | goo.gl/T4BW0
ÂÂ Â Â Classic: âConquering the Cubicle Syndromeâ by Geoff Hart |
goo.gl/wHwMp
ÂÂ Â Â Poll Question: What work hat do you wear in addition to Technical
Communications? | techwhirl.com
Upcoming Events & Articles
ÂÂ Â Â New: âPresenting Your Professional Portfolio in the Digital Ageâ
ÂÂ Â Â Classic: âHumor: New Publications Guidelinesâ by Tom Murrell
ÂÂ Â Â Poll Question:Â Whatâs your opinion of the economy when it comes to
searching for a new job?
SPONSOR-Luv
We want to send a very special âthank youâ to sponsors.ÂÂÂWithout them, weâd
only be able to make moon-.
Platinum: Adobe, ComponentOne, Madcap
Gold: Society for Technical Communication (STC), EC Software
Silver: Vancouver Island University
> OK fine, a couple of you read to the bottom. Thanks.ÂÂÂAnd before we hear
anything about banjos â that was Georgia
> Yes we know the second paragraph was inaccurate â the ROI thing is merely
just lip service during budget time and not *really* a trend â
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