Intercom: May 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.

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The Complete May 2009 Issue

Feature Articles

The Future of Technical Communication: Remix

By: Barbara Giammona, Associate Fellow

In this follow-up piece to her 2001 article, Giammona explores the future of the industry and how technical communicators need to evolve to remain relevant and demonstrate their value.

Bloom Wherever You’re Planted: A Different View on Fostering Career Longevity [ FREE! ]

By: Whitney Potsus, Senior Member

Potsus provides twelve tips on how to maintain your mental, spiritual, professional, and physical health in order to ensure you grow and flourish in your career, instead of wither away.

Career Planning and Longevity for Technical Communicators

By: Suzanne Cooper

Cooper discusses her unique approach to career planning and longevity: essentially, do what you enjoy doing and find people and companies that interest you.

Mining for Career Gold: Discovering Related Careers from Buried Skills

By: Diana Ost, Senior Member

Set aside your job title and current responsibilities when considering a related career field to move into. Ost uses charts and matrices to illustrate how thinking about skills, interests, duties, and other aspects of your professional life can open up a world of opportunities.

Integrate Yourself!

By: Cynthia Pao, Senior Member

Looking for a way to demonstrate your value to management? Pao’s advice is to become as involved in your organization as possible by volunteering for assignments and being proactive in project planning.

More Than Grammar: Expectations of Technical Editing New Hires

By: Shelley Thomas, Senior Member

Thomas asked the Technical Editing SIG listserve what they would expect from a technical editing new hire. Their answers show that expectations extend well beyond proper grammar knowledge and good spelling skills.

Editing Modular Documentation: Some Best Practices

By: Yoel Strimling, Member, and Michelle Corbin, Associate Fellow

The authors have come up with eight guidelines and three concrete suggestions on best practices for editing modular documentation, including ensuring that all topics are standalone, that titles are unique and descriptive, and more.

Hey Rocky – Watch Me Pull a CMS Out of My HAT

By: Neil Perlin, Associate Fellow

When companies decide whether or not to adopt a CMS or continue using a HAT, there are many factors to consider. Perlin outlines elements of both CMSs and HATs that could help you determine which is best for your organization.

Departments

F.Y.I.

F.Y.I.

Check here for upcoming events of interest to technical communicators.

Off Hours

For the Love of Writing

By: Tara Ebrahimi, Assistant Editor

Technical writers are passionate about more than manuals and help guides. Read about member Gretchen Stahlman’s lifelong devotion to the written word in all its forms.

Society Pages

Society Pages [ FREE! ]

Cut & Paste

With little tidbits about video games and their effect on eyesight, the latest in touch-screen technology, and STC’s new presence on Twitter, Cut & Paste is sure to provide interesting conversation-starters and factoids.

Columns

Social Media Insights

The Generational Effect on Social Media [ FREE! ]

By: Rich Maggiani, Fellow

In his first column for Intercom, Rich Maggiani discusses the onset of social media as a significant new form of communication, and how the youngest generation is now setting the tone while Baby Boomers struggle to keep up.

Business Matters

“Telescoping” to Survive This Recession

By: Elizabeth G. (Bette) Frick, Associate Fellow

“Telescoping,” or extending and adding to the range of services you provide, is one way to survive this recession, according to Frick.