STC is proud to announce that the totally new Technical Communication website—designed with you, our members, in mind—is now live.
“We have used the transition from a hybrid (paper and online) journal to a predominantly online journal to completely redesign the website and layout of articles,” editor Menno D.T. de Jong stated. “Simplicity and practical usefulness were among our top priorities. In this new environment, we will continue to publish the high-quality and practically relevant contributions that technical communication professionals and academics expect of Technical Communication.
What’s new about it? For the first time, you can read the journal’s articles in HTML format or PDF! It gives you the choice.
Yes, that’s right, you can now read STC’s journal, Technical Communication, online in HTML format or in the PDF version you’ve always used. We’ve heard from many members that they wanted the journal in HTML format, and we’ve listened. So our members who are a proud part of the online world can view the articles in HTML. Others prefer a PDF, downloading it to read offline or even print out. They can do that too!
The journal itself has been redesigned as well, from the Table of Contents to the Book Reviews. The Technical Communication Task Force spent months discussing the website and the design of the journal, working hand-in-hand with our vendor to give members what they’ve asked for.
Access the new site from www.stc.org like you always have, or go directly to http://techcomm.stc.org.
Once you’re on the site, click on the desired issue under “Journal Issues” in the upper left. (Right now, of course, there’s only February 2010, but future issues will be added.) You’ll see a short synopsis of each article in the journal—a teaser, if you will. If you’re already logged in, you’ll be able to read the full articles or download a PDF. If you’re not logged in, you’ll see instructions to log in at the top of the page. If you access the site through stc.org and are already logged in there, your log-in status will be authenticated immediately! If you’re not logged in through stc.org, you’ll be taken back to the main page after logging in and will have to click on the desired issue again.
When you’re there, be sure to read the Editorial by Menno de Jong. He gives a great backstage look at the redesign of the journal and the design of the website. It’s truly been a process—and one we realize is not over. We’ll be constantly tinkering with the site as members use it to make it as good as it can be. So if you have any requests, suggestions, feedback, or praise, let us hear it.
We are rolling out improvements for Technical Communication now, but be on the lookout for the new Intercom to debut soon too!