Intercom: February 2009

Intercom, the magazine of the Society for Technical Communication, is published to provide examples and applications of technical communication that will promote its readers' professional development.

No theme this issue.

Full Download

The Complete February 2009 Issue

Feature Articles

Is There a Write Way to Collaborate?

By: Charlotte Robidoux, Member, and Beth Hewett

Robidoux and Hewett provide a detailed discussion on the multitude of tools that can be used for virtual collaboration, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

What if Readers Can’t Read? [ FREE! ]

By: Tony Self

In light of emerging technology and new generations of learners and workers, reading patterns have changed and evolved. Self examines these changes and their effect on the future of technical communication.

Users as Decision Makers

By: Michael Hughes, Fellow

Hughes discusses the importance and effectiveness of writing user manuals that support informed decision making as opposed to manuals that outline the basics of a program or tool.

What Technical Communicators Can Learn from Comics

By: Michael Opsteegh, Senior Member

Citing the rise of graphic novels, comics, and in particular, Google’s new web browser Chrome, which has a comic-book-style manual, Opsteegh argues that technical communicators can learn a thing or two about conveying information from graphic novelists.

Seven Steps to Successful Online Help with Reuse

By: Jeanette P. Evans, Associate Fellow, and Paulette M. Henning, Senior Member

Writing for reuse has become a relevant theme in technical communication. The authors illustrate the significance of a style guide and metrics in implementing an effective writing-for-reuse mentality.

Energizing Virtual Meetings

By: Joel Gendelman

With more and more meetings occurring virtually, sometimes it can be difficult to keep them interesting and a good tool for communication. Gendelman provides ideas about how to organize useful and effective virtual meetings.

Are You Helping Your Help Desk?

By: Jason Butina, Member

Butina gives tips on how technical communicators can collaborate with their technical support teams to build stronger working bonds and improve the help-desk quality for users.

Departments

F.Y.I.

F.Y.I.

Check here for upcoming events of interest to technical communicators.

My Job

A Career of Transition: From Government to Industry to Applied Physics Laboratory

By: Walter Rice, Memebr

A career in technical writing can take you anywhere. Read about Walter Rice’s varying experiences and jobs in the field of technical communication.

Society Pages

Society Pages [ FREE! ]

In this month’s Society Pages, check out the Technical Communication Summit Schedule-at-a-Glance, as well as the 2009 Preliminary Program, Summit Session Descriptions, STC’s new Live Learning Center, and information about making your hotel reservations for the conference. Also featured is an article entitled, “US Members: Deduct Your STC Dues,” and an In Memoriam for STC Fellow Joyce Woods who recently passed. With the STC elections upon us, check out the 2009 Election Guide which provides detailed information about all the candidates running for office.

Columns

Business Matters

Newsletters for Independents [ FREE! ]

By: Elizabeth (Bette) G. Frick, Senior Member

A challenge of being self-employed is promoting yourself. Frick discusses one of the most effective self-promotion weapons in her arsenal: newsletters.

Information Design

Typography 101C: The Role of Typeface Choice in Making Text Readable

By: Geoffrey J.S. Hart, Fellow

In the final installment of his Typography 101 series, Hart discusses the significance of typeface choice, paying particular attention to the differences between serif and sans serif.