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Intercom: September/October 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 September/October 2007 issue focuses on Web 2.0.

Feature Articles

Web 2.0: What Technical Communicators Should Know: The best way to understand Web 2.0 may be as a shift in user behavior. Hart-Davidson uses this perspective to explain four trends that are especially important for technical communicators to note.; Discuss this article here.
Tagging the Web: Tagging is a powerful Web 2.0 tool because of its versatility and wide applicability. Discover how to use tags for enhanced search engine optimization (SEO) and increased site traffic, and learn some points to think about when considering whether you should allow visitors to tag your site's content.; Discuss this article here.
The "Quick Web" for Technical Documentation [ FREE! ]: How can wikis be used to build user-centric, user-maintained technical documentation sites that offer thorough and accurate technical information? Gentle's article explores the process—in addition to highlighting how to select a wiki software package and keep a wiki alive and vibrant.; Discuss this article here.
TWiki: Introduction to a Structured Wiki: While conventional wikis generally serve only as content repositories, structured wikis address the problem of organization by combining elements of a database with a wiki-authoring environment. Read about the efforts of one company to implement TWiki, one of the most popular structured wikis.; Discuss this article here.
Winning Your Audience with Videoblogs: Videoblogs hold tremendous promise as a way to bring people in to learn. Read on for techniques to use to create your own videoblog, the supplies you'll need, and a handy list of videoblogs to check out.; Discuss this article here.

Departments

Cut & Paste
Cut & Paste: Read about recommended podcasts, Jakob Nielsen's thoughts on how Web 2.0 can hurt usability, and an STC member's winning entry in the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition.
New Products
New Products: Explore the features of some of the latest tools for technical communicators, including Doc-To-Help v2, FrameMaker 8, and Captivate 3.
My Job
The Rules of the Games: Plain-talking technical communicator Heston explains her efforts to clean up some confusing gambling rules.
F.Y.I.
F.Y.I.: Check this listing for upcoming events of interest to technical communicators.
From the Executive Director
A Worldwide Phenomenon [ FREE! ]: Recent From the Executive Director columns have informed technical communicators about STC's work with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to update the job description for technical communicator. Burton shares the latest news, and details a similar effort to reclassify the profession started by technical communicators in the U.K.

Society Pages

U.S. Members: Empower Your Job Search with STC 's Salary Database [ FREE! ]: Whether you're looking for a new job, negotiating your pay, or feeling curious about salaries for particular industries or geographic locations, STC's Salary Database gives you the best information to make important decisions about your career. Read on for the types of data you can expect to find in the new and improved database.
Vote in STC's Bylaws Referendum: Learn about the referendum taking place from mid-September to mid-October on STC's newly proposed Bylaws, and why you should vote yes on the updated Bylaws document.
New Associate Fellow Nominations Encouraged: Familiarize yourself with the rules for nominating an STC member for the rank of associate fellow.
A SIG for Europe: Learn more about STC's new Europe SIG and its goals, as well as how to become involved.
STC's Region 4 Conference: Sessions at STC's Region 4 Conference—to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday, October 12, 2007—will feature presentations on how technical communicators can become indispensable in the workplace.
STC's Public Relations Competition: Find out how to submit your entry to this year's Public Relations Competition.
Competition Contacts Posted [ FREE! ]: Lists of STC communities holding Technical Art, Technical Publications, and Online Communication Competitions have been posted on the STC Web site.
STC's Newsletter Competition: View the requirements for entering this year's Newsletter Competition.
Sigma Tau Chi, Alpha Sigma Applications Due November 1, 2007: Qualified students may apply for membership in STC's honorary societies. Check here for details on submitting your application materials.
STC Honored in APEX 2007: Intercom, Technical Communication, and Byline (the Chicago Chapter STC's newsletter) received awards in the APEX publications competition. Read on for more details about other APEX award–winning projects created by STC members.
New Chapter Approved: During the June 2007 Board of Directors teleconference meeting, the Board unanimously approved the Atlantic Canada Chapter STC's petition for provisional status.
2007–2008 Scholarship Winners: STC recognizes four students who have exhibited the potential to contribute to the profession.

Columns

Computer-Mediated Communication
Installing Custom Search Engines: Something New on the Web [ FREE! ]: With a custom search engine (CSE) you can create—without any programming —a search engine for a single site. Archee's column provides more details.; Discuss this article here.
Teaching Technical Communication
Managing Team Projects: Teachers of technical writing should be helping students learn to work in groups and on team projects. Read on for the benefits of group work and some guidelines for teaching teamwork.; Discuss this article here.
Ethics Case
Responses to "Hard Life, Hard Decisions": Readers respond to the Ethics Case published in the April 2007 Intercom.; Discuss this article here.
The Friendly Editor
Correcting the Correction: Bush responds to criticism of his column in the February 2007 Intercom.; Discuss this article here.