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Intercom: May 2007

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.

The May 2007 issue focuses on intercultural technical communication.

Feature Articles

Closing the Content Gap: Converging Authoring and Translation: As companies strive to improve themselves by rethinking their global content strategies and redesigning these for the new world of continuous and multilingual deployment, they must unify their authoring and translation processes—not an easy task. Fenstermacher explains why authors and translators should work to close the content gap that often exists.
International Issues in Copyright: Frequently Asked Questions: The area of copyright can be confusing and presents numerous questions. Juillet provides answers to some common copyright questions, such as who holds the copyright in a work-for-hire situation and whether a copyright needs to be registered to have protection.
Using In-country Reviews to Ensure Quality Translations: Too often, in-country translation reviews are overlooked, even though they can document valuable feedback and save customers time and money on translation projects. The author provides several criteria for deciding whether such a review is right for your project.
E-Learning Trends in China: China faces the enormous task of educating its 1.3 billion citizens, many of whom face extensive educational and social disparity, as well as extreme geographic isolation. Find out how e-learning—and technical communicators—can help solve this educational problem.
Working in Global Teams: Virtual, global teams require us to use our communication skills in ways that were unimaginable twenty years ago. Learn about ways to build successful working relationships in virtual environments.
Communicating across Cultures by E-mail: Advice for Consultants: E-mail styles and preferences can vary from country to country, presenting a possible challenge to effective communication. Read on for how to add a personal touch to your messages so that e-mail becomes an asset to your business.
Is "Intercultural" Communication a Moot Point?: Good writing is good writing in any language, and focusing on the quality of the writing in your own language is a great start to any communication with people from other cultures. Hart's article provides insight.

Departments

Guest Editorial
Toward a New Standard for Communicating across Cultures: As professional communicators, we must consider how to leverage the shift toward open-source information to support the work we do and to benefit the audiences we serve.
Letters
Letters: Readers share their thoughts on recent issues.
Cut & Paste
Best-in-Class Companies Involve Technical Communicators in Early Stages, Report Finds: A recent report from the Aberdeen Group identifies important practices among successful companies.
F.Y.I.
F.Y.I.: Check this listing for upcoming events of interest to technical communicators.
Witful Thinking
Humor Contest Results: Intercom's editors are pleased to announce the winners of the anagram contest featured in the January 2007 issue.

Society Pages

Adobe Courts Technical Communicators: Adobe Systems Incorporated is the Platinum Sponsor at this year's Technical Communication Summit. Michael Hu, senior product marketing manager at Adobe, shares how technical communicators can benefit from Adobe's products.
Global Membership Committee Off to Good Start: The Global Membership Committee works to ensure that STC can effectively support and accommodate members, regardless of their geographic location or culture. Find out more about the committee's work.
Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates for Society-level Positions in 2008: Interested in working to develop new ideas and coordinate programs for STC? Read up on the open positions available and how to submit your nomination (due by June 1, 2007, to the Society office).
New Sigma Tau Chi Members Named: STC's honorary society for students of technical communication welcomes eight outstanding new members.
Distinguished SIG Service Awards: Find out who is being recognized from STC's special interest groups (SIGs) for dedication and service over the length of their membership.
Distinguished Chapter Service Awards: Learn the names of the honorees who have provided exemplary dedication to their chapters.
Distinguished Service Award for Students: STC recognizes those students who have dedicated themselves to their student chapters.
Two Chosen for Inaugural Ken Rainey Award: Find out more about the recipients of the first Rainey Award for Excellence in Research.
Advance Conference Registration Deadline: May 4: The last day to register for STC's 54th Annual Conference at the advance rates is May 4. Check the rates chart for more details.

Columns

Business Matters
Time Matters: Adopting tips from a book by David Allen has helped Frick adjust her energy level upward, improving her business productivity.
The Friendly Editor
Evans and Evans: A grammar book by Bergen and Cornelia Evans, published in 1957, is packed with detail that can aid writers even today.
Information Design
Some Thoughts on Visual Vocabulary, Grammar, and Rhetoric: Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of using words, images, or both will help you make an informed decision about which to use. Hart's column sheds more light.
Status of Technical Manual Specifications and Standards
December 1, 2006, through February 1, 2007: Bach's report outlines specifications, standards, and amendments received during this period.