ELEKS InfoDevs have been attending the soap! conference for the 4th year in a row. This time, the theme was Problem Solving, and the speakers shared their stories of all kinds of problems they face.
I would like to single out four areas that usually bring a headache and make us seek for a way out.
This year I had a marvelous opportunity to attend the Evolution of TC conference in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is an annual international event for all technical communicators with a focus on innovations in software documentation. Being a place for technical writers, information developers, translators, and everyone who is interested in technical communication, it gives an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas, learn new tendencies and trends, as well as grow network. Continue reading
Technical writers are first of all writers. They are constantly searching for the Castalian Spring trying to fill the Grail of their thirsty mind and soul with the wine of inspiration. That is the gift and that is the curse of the creative people. Sometimes the routine tasks, lack of support, or the technical and communication gaps demotivate the technical writers, and they start wandering around looking for the silver lining. I experienced the fall of enthusiasm but I found the right path to the Muses. It was a long road to Sofia, Bulgaria, where the ETC conference returned me my faith in TechComm.
Check how great ETC was: Evolution of TC
How did the 2-days event inspire me like a million of motivating books? Follow me in my stirring travel and get your portion of ETC: encouragement, talent, and creativity! Continue reading
As a true information developer, I adore researching and analyzing stuff. And, as a true millennial kid, I can’t imagine myself without social media. So, I decided to bring my two passions together and review mobile help systems of my favorite apps on iPhone 6s (iOS 10.3.2). Meet Instagram v.10.22 and Snapchat v.10.9.1. Continue reading
Fellows – Information Developers, Technical Communicators, Information Experts – lend me your ears.
When designing knowledge bases, creating documentation portals, or documenting complex interrelations, one forgotten requirement may result in multiple very memorable working evenings.
Consider this precious advice from Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld and always pay heed to these crucial areas.
In short, we need to understand the business goals behind the web site and the resources available for design and implementation. We need to be aware of the nature and volume of content that exists today and how that might change a year from now. And we must learn about the needs and information-seeking behaviors of our major audiences. Good information architecture design is informed by all three areas.
Explore their book Information Architecture for the World Wide Web Peter for more useful tips!
Do you spot flaws or imperfections others do not see? Do you place high demands on yourself and people around you? Do you set extremely high standards? In other words, are you constantly striving for perfection?
If your answer is YES!, then welcome to the club of perfectionists.
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Most of our clients’ needs have gone way beyond traditional single-sourcing scheme: write once, generate different outputs in different formats. Don’t get me wrong, we still are the proud owners of User Manuals and Help Systems. But.
Meeting the business demands, the companies have developed an internet of systems that require sophisticated and strategic information management from us, information professionals: CRM, Feedback Management, Support Center, Help Systems, Knowledge Base, embedded user assistance, and packages of miscellaneous documentation.
That’s the reality, but what’s next? The amount of the information is exciting, and some experts envisage that the excitement will turn into shock pretty soon.
The article written by Ray Gallon and Andy McDonald lets you visualize the information management and helps stay prepared.
Meet and greet – age of molecular information is here?
