Let's Tech Communicate
September
Luke Pivac shares the latest trends in technical communication from around the world.
In this issue we get some great advice on minimalism from a pro, take a look at the future of industrial documentation (and our place in it), and discuss playing with Lego. This and a whole lot more from around the Net!
Insights
First up, Leah Guren provides some sage advice about handling the most difficult and challenging technical documentation projects. From working with subject-matter experts, right through to not allowing useless and non-essential content to creep into our documentation, are we ready to… say goodbye and move on!
Also, Alexander Hoffmann – a technical communicator who heads the technical documentation department of Xeditor – explores why smart factories require smart documentation. In it, Hoffmann explores the need for smart technical documentation in the world of industrial production. He asks if the smart product of the future will simply explain itself, and if so, what will the job of the technical communicator look like in 5 years’ time?
In The Language of Modular Design, writer Alla Kholmatova discusses how many of us are moving away from designing pages and instead designing systems. Part of that movement is ‘modularity’, a scalable, replaceable, reusable system, which is easy to test and assemble – just like Lego!
The newbie tech communicator’s toolbox
Alan Pringle ponders whether there is more to technical writing that just documenting software – he believes it is a mixture writing ability, technical aptitude, and software skills.
A personal favourite is Tom Johnston's article that asks what qualities should technical writers have to work at start-ups? He believes it is a mixture of strong technical aptitude, the ability to work alone and with others, and versatility.
Bit of fun
Lastly, Yehoshua Paul explains how to tell a technical writer from a marketing writer.
Look out for more fun tips and tricks in the world of technical communication in next month’s edition.