Let's Tech Communicate

July 2016

Luke Pivac shares the latest trends in technical communication from around the world. In this issue – we investigate robots writing instruction manuals, explore the benefits of a good user manual, take a look at some articles for translation and localisation experts, and discover the future of augmented reality. This and a whole lot more from around the Net!

Out of this world

In an out-of-this-world article about Instruction Manuals by Robots, writer and technical communicator Andreas Günter questions whether technical communication is mature enough for the anticipated fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), or whether it puts the business model of technical communication at risk.

Tech Comms toolbox

We kick off the toolbox section with some practical advice from Sean Hower on file-naming conventions in what’s in a name – Guidelines to naming files.

In Management skills for technical writers, Christoph Jansen discusses technical writers' evolving skills in management. He explores leadership skills, group dynamics, techniques for working with different teams, and successful team communication.

Tom Johnston provides tips on creating professional looking graphics in the easiest way possible. He suggests we embrace minimalism, use the Noun Project for vector graphics, and build and develop our own graphics library.

Translating and localising technical content

If you’re interested in translation and localisation of technical content, here are two articles that explore various aspects and strategies. In Digital convergence opens new career choices for localisation experts, Ben Sargent discusses what skills localisation experts can provide in the new world of digital convergence.

Annette Reilly explains the reasons we need standards for software documentation, and looks at specific standards for designers and developers, for software organisations and projects, and for information and content management.

Future trends

Finally, Rhonda Truitt dons her future-vision goggles and takes a peek at the future of Augmented Reality in the workplace. She explores how Augmented Reality and the Internet of Things is changing the way we deliver information to customers.

See you next time.

Luke Pivac, TechCommNZ member