Let's Tech Communicate!
October 2014
Latest trends in technical communication from around the world
Luke Pivac talks about machines that teach you how to use them, technical communication in the gaming industry, and how to convince others of the importance of documentation. This and much from around the Net!
Out of this world
Craig Haiss explores how technology has advanced machinery to enable users of products to learn more efficiently in The future of technical communication: Machines that teach you how to use them.
Ellis Pratt talks about the very topical and interesting world of writing documentation for the Games industry. In this article, Pratt indicates that the Games industry is still treading through uncharted waters when it comes to online help. A lack of procedures for document writing has led to many experts embedding help within the app and creating unnecessarily interrupted game play.
Benefits of tech communication
In this article, Emma Lilin discusses the global challenges that she and other technical communicators have at Huawei. Lilin highlights increased responsibilities and core competencies that Huawei technical communicators require. Find out more in Huawei case study: Solving worldwide communication challenges.
Dr Britta Gors delves into what technical communicators must do to ensure their great work is recognised in Achieving visibility for technical communication.
The newbie tech communicator's toolbox
In this section, we explore some practical advice from Craig Haiss, a technical communication guru who isexpert at building enterprise-level knowledge centres. Haiss discusses the challenges that consumers have when learning about new technology, and other consumer issues in Technophobia and other reasons consumers won’t read the manual.
In another article from Haiss, he talks about how to convince others of the importance of documentation. Haiss highlights the benefits technical communicators can bring to technology businesses.
Methods
Widely respected tech comms commentator Mark Baker explores in his blog why reuse is a good tactic, but a poor strategy. Baker discusses how reusing text can be effective when you have to write a substantial amount, but is not so useful when combining them into one expression for reuse. Instead, he recommends modifying your message for a variety of media with different audiences.
Bit of fun
Clever, dry and in Plain English! Check out this witty High Tech Humour. Finally, Larry Kunz predicts what the world will be like for technical communication ten years from now!
Look out for more tips, tricks and fun in the world of technical communication in next month’s final edition for 2014.
Luke Pivac
TechCommNZ Committee member