The Willamette Galley
Willamette Valley Chapter
Society for Technical Communication
Chapter Meeting Inside This Issue
September 20: “Sound Off!” Welcome
W VC members began the evening at 6:00 pm with networking at the
New Seasons Market in Beaverton’s Cedar Hills Crossing.
President’s Message ........................ 2
WVC 1st Vice President Wes Kalbfleisch called the program meeting to Features
order at 7:20 in Building 58 on the Tektronix campus. WVC 2nd Vice International Technical
President Toni Mantych gave a short update about the WVC competitions Communication
and exhibited competition entries from last year. by Kit Brown................................ 3
In an evening of peer discussion, members formed small groups to Chapter Member Wins with
Dentistry
answer prepared questions, which each group spokesperson then by Valerie M. Ball, Carol L. Larson
summarized in a succession of presentations with comments from with Patrice Dodd ........................ 7
attendees. The questions included: Book Review: Building the
1) What is your position on certification for technical writing? Should Perfect PC
certifications for technical writing have “subtypes,” for instance, medical by Chris Masotti......................... 12
writing or aviation writing? This group felt that certification would New Funding Model and
add value and help technical communicators gain leverage with their Dues Structure
by Cindy Curry .......................... 13
employers for better positions and wages. However, this group was
unsure how STC would develop a certification program. Columns
2) How do you know when you have too much work? What can you Member Spotlight: Noelle Evans
do about it? How do you go about finding help? Recognizing when by Ann Whitley.......................... 15
overworked, this group said that projects often had “scope-creep” and Community Resources
were not planned well. Solutions included talking with management by Carol L. Larson...................... 20
about the schedule and asking clients to prioritize the project sections. The Willamette Galley is published
3) If you could live any place in the world, where would that be? What bimonthly in even-numbered
months.
would your commute be like? Can you describe a typical day at work?
What technology would you employ and how would you get your work Technical communicators hold
the copyright on all submitted
done? This group fantasized about locations from Portland to Wales and materials, either written or
opted for no commute. graphic, in The Willamette
The meeting ended at 8:45 with several members staying later to Galley unless otherwise
indicated. Anyone interested
continue their discussions as well as the impromptu networking that the in reprints, reproductions, or
meeting format engendered.
- reuse must contact the technical
communicator for permission.
Copyright STC 2007
Calendar of Events
November 7: WVC Independent Contractors’ SIG, TBA—6:00 pm
November 15 (Tuesday): Amber Swope, “Introduction to DITA,” PSU;
networking—6:00 pm, program—7:00 pm
November 17 (Saturday): WVC Competition judges meeting, Lingo
Systems, 10:00 am
For additional event information, see “WVC Activities” on page 17.
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 1 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
STC Mission Statement President’s Message
STC advances the theory Greetings everyone, to effectively
and practice of technical Fall is here, and the WVC is getting communicate
communication across all user into full swing. We held our first those complex
abilities and all media. program meeting, and then before hardware
we know it, the competition will be configurations
Willamette Galley Staff well underway. or presenting
Speaking of the competition, have that new
Co-Editors programming
you ever considered judging?
Valerie M. Ball language? Seeing how other people
vmball@rockwellcollins.com Maybe now is the time. Are you
interested in exploring other fields present complex information can
Carol L. Larson really get your creative technical
carol@larson-tech.com of technical communication, need
an idea for that new manual, or communication juices flowing.
Layout Designer Often times, good organization,
Shawn Mershon just tired of flying solo and want to
interact with some peers? Judging graphics, and presentation can be
shmersh@comcast.net easily adapted to many types of
takes a few hours of your time and
Photo Editor provides a peek into the wider complex information.
Matt Kincaid Meet for coffee with a group of
world of technical communication
mwk@pdx.edu your peers and discuss information
and so much more.
Columnist Talk about technical presentation, standards, and
Ann Whitley quality as you read and analyze
Ann.Whitley@igrafx.com communication, the competition
entries include everything from competition entries. Practice
Web Manager online help, parts catalogs, and collaboration as you discuss the
Maralee Sautter marketing materials to children’s entries and reach consensus on
webmaster@stcwvc.org team awards. You may even come
magazines and Oscilloscope
repair manuals. Here’s a away with a good restaurant or
WVC Officers 2007–2008 movie review and a friend.
chance to analyze some writing
President specimens and see what technical No doubt, judging is a valuable
Susan Kloster experience, great for new and
communicators in other fields are
president@stcwvc.org
1st Vice President
writing. Or see how information is
presented in other mediums such
seasoned writers alike.
Let the contest begin,
-
Wes Kalbfleisch as HTML. Susan
wesleyk@exgate.tek.com
Starting a new manual and
2nd Vice President looking for some ideas on how
Toni Mantych
toni-stc@professionalquill.
com Letter from the Co-Editors
Secretary
Dave Thompson
davet@exgate.tek.com
F or this month that ends in tricks or treats, The Galley offers these
treats:
In our focus on international technical communication (ITC), STC
Treasurer Associate Fellow Kit Brown shares a must-read article about ITC that
Leah Goodman also increases knowledge of technical communication in general
leahgoodman@hotmail.com Patrice Dodd “Opens Wide” about going to the dentist and her
Immediate Past President experiences with the CAESY team in their winning of the STC 2007
Joanne Wakeland Best of Show in Online Communication
wakeland.j@comcast.net Columnist Ann Whitley spotlights senior member Noelle Evans and
her dream job
Sacramento member Chris Masotti reviews Building the Perfect PC
STC 2nd Vice President Cindy Currie explains the new fee structure
and STC goals for the coming year
Tricks, you ask?? Would we trick our readers??? Read The Galley, my
pretties, if you dare (cackle, cackle)!
Happy H-A-U-N-T-I-N-G,
Carol and Valerie
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 2 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
International Technical Communication
By Kit Brown, STC Associate Fellow; photo of Pioneer Courthouse Square Signpost in Portland by Carol L. Larson
Editors’ Note: In their 2007–2008 system architecture and 2. What is the
focus on special interest groups (SIGs) processes for products function of
for technical communicators, The and documentation so ITC in the
Galley co-editors sent the following that products can be easily profession
questionnaire to WVC and other STC customized to meet the of technical
members. needs of a specific locale. commun-
The focus for October 2007 is the Internationalization ication?
International Technical Communication generally focuses on From a
SIG. For more information about this the technical side of business perspective, well-
STC SIG, see www.stcsig.org/itc. globalization. The key internationalized documents
Part I: International idea is that this process is are less expensive to localize
accomplished in the source (companies have saved
Technical documentation. 20 percent or more on
Communication Localization: The process their annual localization
1. Please define international of taking a product or costs by implementing
technical communication service then reviewing internationalization best
(ITC). and modifying it so that it practices).
International technical is acceptable to a specific From a technical standpoint,
communication encompasses locale. The key idea here
everyone benefits—native
the following: is that this process creates
English-speaking users get
the target.
Act or process of creating better, clearer documentation;
Translation: The process non-native speakers and those
information products
of taking information receiving the documentation
and content intended for
in one language and in their own languages get
international audiences
transferring it to another culturally neutral information
Interaction with
language. A good that is consistent, concise,
colleagues, customers, and
translator considers not and well-organized. Technical
others in a multilingual,
only the text itself, but also writers benefit by having
multicultural environment
the conventions, idioms, better QA, editing, change
Interaction with and and expectations of the
collaboration with management processes, better
audience for the target writing guidelines and review
localization companies language.
and consultants to ensure processes, as well as more
These efforts can affect the effective re-use/re-purposing
a quality language product
company at the following (usually without a huge capital
Collaboration with levels:
colleagues in the expenditure). Localization
localization industry to Organizational teams benefit by having better
ensure that standards Process source to work with, which
developed for both Documentation/Graphics reduces the number of errors
technical communication in the language product.
and localization work A simple example: A single
together effectively when error in the source help file
applied in the “real” world takes an hour to fix at a cost
There are several levels of $50. The writer misses
to international technical the error and it goes to
“...single error...
communication: localization, where the help file
21 man-hours...
is converted into 20 languages.
Globalization: Aligning the cost of $1050.”
The single error will now
product design, marketing,
require 21 man-hours to fix at
packaging, and support
a cost of $1050.
materials with a global
product strategy. In another example: A single
Internationalization: graphic takes 3 hours to create
Creating a flexible ITC, cont’d on page 4
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 3 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
ITC, cont’d from page 3
at a cost of $120. However, where the cost/benefit line 7. Do you have specified
the graphic contains culturally is—how far do we need to education or training that
specific images and embedded push things to ensure that enables you to use? If yes,
text and must be re-created the product is equally usable what was the education or
for every language. Assuming regardless of language/locale; training? How long did it
the same 20 languages, you’ve quantification of the costs of take to acquire your initial
added 60 man-hours and ignoring your international knowledge of ITC? How much
$2400 to your costs. Now, audiences vs. implementing an of your training was on the
multiply that by the number of internationalization strategy… job?
graphics in the document… As content management I’ve always been interested
Small, easy-to-fix issues in systems/structured in languages (took Latin and
the source are magnified documentation become more Spanish in high school) and
exponentially in the and more sophisticated and cultures (grew up on an Indian
localization process and prevalent, we are beginning reservation and moved a lot),
quickly increase localization to see a melding of the TC but most of my education in
costs… and localization process and ITC has been on the job. I
a move toward a streaming heard Dick Crumm (Berlitz
3. Has ITC changed since you model of content development consultant who speaks more
first began to use it? If yes, and localization (as opposed to than ten languages) speak at
how? the more traditional product an STC meeting and found
I think the awareness of the cycle based release). As the the topic interesting. That
need for ITC has increased, global market becomes more was almost 15 years ago—now
as has the knowledge of the sophisticated and demanding I give workshops on this
basics. However, not enough of local language/culturally subject…
people use the principles attuned products, ITC skills
(which are mostly technical 8. What do you do for continuing
will become more and more
communication (TC) best professional education in ITC?
important.
practices). Every information Read Multilingual,
product developed today Part II: Technical newsletters, white papers,
should be created with these Communicators and ITC books, etc. Talk to colleagues
principles and best practices, in ITC and localization, attend
5. How long have you been a
under the assumption that that conferences, participate on the
member or a participant in
product will at some point be ITC SIG email list, etc.
an ITC SIG? If you’re not
used by either a non-native a member, would you be 9. Please recommend any
speaker or will be localized. interested in participating in a articles, books, online
These methods/processes/ local SIG? materials, or other resources
principles/techniques are that pertain to ITC.
I’ve been a member of the SIG
not rocket science. They are See #8 above
pretty much since it started
also relatively inexpensive (in
and I am the past manager. 10. What specific software,
terms of capital expenditures)
to implement, and improved 6. What factor(s) influenced you hardware, or other technical
the usability of the product. to become a member of this assets are necessary for using
So, the real question is—why SIG or to use ITC? ITC? What “luxury” items are
isn’t everyone doing it? I have worked on multi- helpful?
site, multicultural teams This really depends on the
4. What do you see as the
for my entire career; most type of documentation
future role of ITC in technical
of my jobs have had at least you are doing and what
communication?
some interaction with the translation memory (TM)
Now that awareness of the application your localization
localization vendor, and
issues is reaching a critical vendor has…understanding
for awhile I worked as a
mass, we are seeing efforts how TM works and having
consultant in the localization
expanding into usability access to terminology
industry for one of the largest
testing; an examination management systems is
localization providers in the
of internationalization to helpful, as are having mature
world.
determine more closely
ITC, cont’d on page 5
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 4 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
ITC, cont’d from page 4
(and effective) content Develop an understanding Expert technical
development processes. of how business works and communicators:
Content management and of how to communicate Ensure that existing
XML (implemented properly) effectively with processes are well-
can really improve re-use/ management documented and mature
consistency and reduce As you learn tools, (especially, change
localization costs… investigate how well they management, QA, editing)
11. How do you remain updated support other languages Audit documentation
regarding software, hardware, Ask questions processes, content,
and other technical assets for As you write something, tools, etc. for
ITC? ask yourself if it would internationalization issues
See #8 above be understandable by and develop a strategy for
someone who wasn’t fixing them
12. What do you recommend proficient in English or Advocate for training in
that a novice technical who didn’t come from internationalization
communicator do to become your culture. Remove Perform a gap analysis,
proficient in ITC? And slang, idioms, etc. Keep needs analysis, and cost/
approximately how long writing consistent, concise, benefit analysis on the
might this process take? Do accurate, etc. proposed changes
you recommend any different
Develop your skills Review department
procedures for an experienced
in audience analysis and corporate strategy
technical communicator?
and include the global to ensure that an
For Everyone: audience in your analysis internationalization
Study another language Develop your usability strategy fits with overall
Travel/work in another testing skills corporate goals
country/immerse yourself Develop an understanding Get management buy-in
in the local culture of workflow in both non- Discuss with localization
Make friends with people structured and structured vendor pet peeves and
from other cultures writing environments begin to quantify the cost
Read stories from other Understand the principles savings of making the
cultures of content management, proposed changes
Learn about business information design, and Integrate
practices in other cultures/ architecture; and learn internationalization into
what’s polite/expectations, how cultural differences your daily work life
etc. affect implementation 13. Please include any other
Get to know your Learn how to do gap observations or comments that
localization vendors and analysis, needs analysis, would add to the knowledge
their processes/pet peeves and cost/benefit analysis and professionalism of
Attend a workshop on technical communicators.
internationalization Even if your company is
Learn how to audit not currently localizing
your documentation its products and services,
processes, templates/style chances are good that non-
guides, and content for “...taking TC best practices native speakers are using
internationalization issues and applying them the products and services.
Consider your stringently...” Internationalization is really
international audience in about taking TC best practices
everything you do and applying them stringently
For novice technical and with the international
communicators: audience in mind. Everything
that you do to improve the
Develop a deep
internationalization of your
understanding of TC best
practices and use them
ITC, cont’d on page 6
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 5 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
ITC, cont’d from page 5
Upcoming Conferences
This column lists conferences that may interest STC-WVC members. For a more products/services also helps
complete list, see the STC Web site at http://www.stc.org/edu/relatedEvents01.asp. your core audience by making
the documentation easier to
Events understand and use. While
November 5–7: American Institute of Graphic Arts Conference on Design internationalization takes
for User Experience; Chicago, IL (http://www.dux2007.com) time to implement and some
November 5–9: Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA); “sweat equity,” it doesn’t
Boston, MA (http://www.lisa.org/events/2007boston usually require a significant
December 15: Deadline for submitting proposals for the 2008 Institute outlay of capital; effective
of Electrical and Electronic Engineers’ Professional Communication internationalization is one way
Society (IEEE PCS) International Professional Communication that technical communicators
Conference (IPCC); Montreal, Canada on July 14–17, 2008 can have a direct beneficial
(IPCC2008@gmail.com) effect on the company’s
January 28–31, 2008: 54th Annual Reliability and Maintainability bottom line through lower
Sumposium (RAMS); Las Vegas, NV (http://www.rams.org) localization costs, improved
February 14–18, 2008: American Association for the Advancement customer satisfaction, and
of Science (AAAS); Boston, MA (http://www.aaas.org/meetings/ more usable and effective
Annual_Meeting)
Disclaimer: Please regard the preceding information only as a guide; the WVC and
documentation.
-
Kit Brown is principal of Comgenesis,
The Willamette Galley cannot guarantee accuracy. LLC and has spoken about various
technical communication topics at
many conferences in the United
States and internationally. She recently
coauthored (with Brenda Huettner and
Char James-Tanny) Managing Virtual
Puget Sound Chapter Mid-Valley Chapter Teams: Getting the Most from Wikis,
T
Blogs, and Other Collaborative Tools. In
he Puget Sound Chapter holds
its monthly chapter/program
meetings on the third Tuesday of
M id-Valley’s next chapter
meeting will be in February.
addition, she is the editor of IEEE-PCS
News and a frequent contributor to
For information about Mid-Valley Multilingual.
the month. events, contact David Anderson
Chapter meetings begin with weekdays at 541.758.3329,
networking and snacks followed ext. 223, or email David at
by the program. Watch the daamp1@msn.com.
“Upcoming Events” page on the
Puget Sound Web site (http://
www.stc-psc.org) for additional
information about the times and
locations for upcoming chapter
meetings and events, which
include:
November 3: Amber Swope,
“Introduction to DITA
Workshop”
November 13: Jack Molisani,
“The Top 10 Mistakes
Technical Professionals Make
When Looking for Work”
Autumn leaves, photo by Carol L. Larson
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 6 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Chapter Member Wins with Dentistry and “Open Wide”
By Valerie M. Ball and Carol L. Larson with Patrice Dodd; photos by Rachel Houghton
T
he concept of dentistry lead; Pat Hansen, DVD author;
and “open wide” is so Don Barenz, videographer and
pervasive—and often so video editor; and Greg Lopez,
negative—that during the chapter’s animator.
STC competition even WVC Best Intercom editor Ed Rutkowski’s
of Show judges bowed to “ick” “Best of Show” article in the July/
pressure and chose to review August 2007 issue of Intercom
dental-flossing instead of root (http://www.stc.org/intercom/) is
canals in the CAESY DVD 2007, enlightening, but we usually push
The Galley for a more “open-wide”
view, so we turned to Patrice Dodd
with questions that she graciously
and readily answered.
Read on to discover how a project
“…a more ‘open wide’ team creates a best-of-show
view… ” winner.
Kendal Kaiser (L) and Patrice Dodd at
The Project Team the Awards Banquet in February 2007
How was the team assembled? user guides and Help files for
Were they CAESY employees, their server-oriented product,
contractors, or a mixture? called CAESY Enterprise, as well
a technical marketing tool about All of us were full-time employees. as articles for SmileLink, a dental
visiting the dentist. health newsletter.
Could you give us an idea of
WVC’s Award of Distinguished the training and qualifications CAESY was my first opportunity
sent the entry to the STC necessary for each team member? to write in the healthcare
international competition, and industry, and I had a strong
Ricardo, Kendall, and Don came
those judges overcame their own relationship with Bob Rondeau,
out of the television and/or video
“ick” fears to recognize the CAESY DMD, who hired me at CAESY.
industry. Greg has been a graphic
DVD 2007 as Best of Show in After the Rondeaus sold CAESY
artists and illustrator. Kevin had
online communication. to Patterson, I developed
over 10 years in animation and
relationships with a variety of
This Best of Show award to a team graphics and had worked in video
dentists who provided information
that includes WVC senior member production and multimedia prior
for and reviews of the scripts.
Patrice Dodd then prompted us to to coming to CAESY. I am a writer
glean information that could assist with a strong interest in healthcare In addition, one new aspect of
readers in similar professional or and consumer-level education. CAESY DVD 2007 was regularly
competitive pursuits. having a dental hygienist on the set
We know from Rutkowski’s article
to add real-world accuracy.
that you and the dentist who
Basic Background founded CAESY previously worked What about your teammates?
CAESY Education Systems (http:// together, and that you researched Did they have prior experience
www.caesy.com), a Patterson books, dental journals, and online with CAESY or with other dental
company, produced the CAESY discussion forums. Were you professionals?
DVD 2007. CAESY creates part of the CAESY team from the Ricardo and Kevin had been
multimedia educational programs beginning of the project? Have working at CAESY for several
for dentists; its Video Production you had prior experience working years before I arrived. They’d
team practices tight quality control with CAESY teams or other dental been working with Bob almost
in Vancouver, Washington. professionals? since the beginning. Kevin had
Patrice was the researcher and I started working at CAESY (then done a variety of work on CAESY
script writer for CAESY DVD not part of Patterson) in 2002. products, everything from UI
2007; her teammates included I worked on the 2002 through design, creation of images,
Ricardo Rodriguez, creative team 2007 versions of CAESY DVD. production management, and team
lead; Kevin Seewer, animation At the same time, I was writing
lead; Kendall Kaiser, videography Open Wide, cont’d on page 8
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 7 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Open Wide, cont’d from page 7
leadership. In addition, Ricardo aided design and computer-aided In the previous version of CAESY
has been successful in sales at manufacturing techniques). DVD, the team had already refined
CAESY, so he talked to dentists on This new technology has some a CAESY style that determined
a regular basis and got a good feel significant advantages and what kind of information is
for the dental marketplace. None was being used increasingly by presented in which category of
of us had worked in the dental dentists. video. (The videos are grouped
industry before coming to CAESY, We also got frequent requests for into major treatment groups, like
but we all quickly learned. specific brands of dental products. Periodontal Disease, Bridges, etc.
Generally, we didn’t use these And within each of those groups,
DVD 2007 Details the videos are generally subdivided
ideas, going for more a generic
Rutkowski’s article stresses that into Diagnosis, Procedure, Post-
presentation instead. So, instead
the DVD “had to make people op, and Alternatives.) With that
of creating a video on a particular
want to go to the dentist” with in mind, I first wrote the scripts,
brand of invisible braces, for
explanations of dental procedures including narration and the
example, we’d create a generic one
that were both understandable description of what the video
where this was possible.
and accurate. The CAESY DVD needed to show visually, as a
2007 thus consists of short videos starting point.
on various dental diagnoses and
Then the team would meet to
treatments. But just as important,
discuss how to visually present
the team had to devise video
the information. The CAESY style
presentations to eliminate “the
settled many of these questions—
ick factor.” Through animations,
for example, we knew already that
a soothing voice-over, and the
most surgical procedures would be
relaxed behavior of a diverse group
shown in animation, not video. We
of “patient” actors, viewers learn
also knew that the ending scenes
what to expect.
would generally be video footage
Who determined the DVD topics? showing happy patients.
Discuss one topic/idea you began
In other cases, the discussion
but did not use. Discuss one topic/
would center around what method
idea you did not begin but used.
to show the particular scene
We solicited customer suggestions, Patrice receiving the Best of Show
in—should it be video footage?
and I maintained a spreadsheet Award in Minneapolis in May 2007
Animation? Photographs? X-rays?
of suggestions from dentists and There were no new or revised Often this was based on what we
hygienists. Some topics bubbled topics that I did not begin, but could get. We had a set for the
up to the top as being requested there were a few that we started dental operatory, but we couldn’t
over and over. Some topics and then didn’t complete. One actually practice dentistry in it.
became obvious as changes in example is regarding a type of Footage of actual procedures
dental knowledge and treatments full-mouth dental bridge. We got had to be captured at real dentist
advanced. And in many cases, wide some requests for it and completed offices, and this wasn’t always
use of new technologies called for the script, but then in trying to possible.
new topics. find visual references, we got a Also, sometimes it was more
From these sources, I put together lot of differing opinions about illustrative to show something
a proposed list of topics, and whether dentists were even doing using photographs, x-rays, or
this list was usually reviewed by that procedure anymore. So we animations. For example, in
the team, as well as one or more postponed that topic to see if there periodontal disease, the height of
dentists, to make sure that the would still be continuing demand. the jawbone recedes around the
topics were useful, in the right How did your team brainstorm teeth. It’s almost impossible to see
category, and current. In addition, ideas for conveying the that in video, but it’s obvious in
to be acceptable, topics had to be information and procedures? What x-rays.
mainstream dentistry, backed by was one or two of the most creative One of the first major creative
research in the dental journals. treatments of topics? moves came out of the
So for example, we created several By the time we got to CAESY DVD videos that deal with TMJ
videos on CAD/CAM crowns and 2007, we’d all worked through (temporomandibular joint
fillings (created by computer- several versions together. Open Wide, cont’d on page 9
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 8 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Open Wide, cont’d from page 8
syndrome). TMJ is a dysfunction Rutkowski also reports that you dentists who often gave conflicting
of the muscles and joints that join opted for the word “handpiece” advice. Could you give us one or
the jaw to the skull. Symptoms instead of “drill” and generally two examples of situations and
can include pain, popping, avoided “real decay in real your solutions?
clicking, headaches, and damage mouths,” “visible saliva,” and Let me refer again to TMJ. There
to the joints. We had to show “blood,” all as part of the “ick are an incredible number of
how healthy jaw joints move and factor.” theories as to why this condition
work, and how they don’t work If the product is too icky, patients occurs and how best to treat it, and
when TMJ is present. Kevin won’t watch it. Or if they do only some consensus. Our solution
did an amazing job of research, watch it and it’s too icky, it will was to find those factors that most
illustration, and animation to get not persuade them to get dental dentists agree on, and center
that looking accurate, compelling, treatment. If the product doesn’t the videos on that. In order to
and up-to-date. persuade patients to get treatment,
At the same time, Kendall and the dentists won’t buy the product.
videographers figured out how Not being “icky” was seen as a
to position the actors’ heads so necessary quality, and became an
that the video could transition essential part of the CAESY style.
smoothly from the actors’ heads to We rarely showed blood because
the animated heads. “If the product is too icky,
that’s scary, and we rarely showed patients won’t watch.”
Rutkowski reports that the CAESY saliva because that’s icky. We did
DVD 2007 is successful. Did you show decay, but only in those
administer usability tests? If yes, videos that were describing what
what were the demographics will happen if the patients don’t
of your audience? How did you take care of their teeth—dentists
measure their reactions? At what often used these as a last resort or
stage(s) of development did you for the curious. allow the dentist who holds other
test? Can you discuss how you and “Handpiece” is the term used opinions to use the TMJ videos,
the team adapted your work to the among dental professionals, who we would often include statements
results of your usability tests? If are the customers. Some of them like, “There are sometimes
you did not administer usability can be offended when the word other causes. Your dentist will
tests, why? “drill” is used. (Though they do a thorough examination to
determine the best treatment for
We did not have the resources understand that their patients use
your situation.”
to administer usability tests. the word “drill,” it’s not the word
they want used in a professional How does scriptwriting a technical
setting.) My own personal opinion topic differ from writing a
is that “drill” sounds painful to procedures manual?
patients, and it sounds too much My first thought is that it isn’t
like a construction-type power that different. This assumes you
tool to dental professionals. Many have an established style and
“...offended when the word dentists consider themselves
‘drill’ is used.” format already, you know your
doctors, scientists, and artists, not audience(s) thoroughly, you have
construction workers. competent reviewers, and you
We were very careful with the know your topic.
language. For example, there is a The biggest difference is that in
difference between “tooth decay” scriptwriting, the visuals convey
and “cavities.” Patients often use so much information that the
The statistic we used to measure the terms interchangeably, but need for spoken words is greatly
success came from a poll taken of we couldn’t. (Decay is a process. reduced. (One estimate I’ve read
customers after they purchased When decay has progressed far is that you need only 25 percent
and used the product. enough, the process creates a hole of the words that you’d need in
We did solicit and get many in the tooth, and that hole is the a written piece.) I wrote both
comments from customers at cavity.) the voice-over narration and the
dental shows, with mail reply You mediated, as well, among the description of what would show
cards, and on the Web site. widely variant reviews from the Open Wide, cont’d on page 10
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 9 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Open Wide, cont’d from page 9
the audio to get things to the right No. I read and followed the entry
length and pace. Ricardo was instructions when I entered,
skilled at audio editing, and did a but neither they nor the judging
great job of working with Kendall standards played any role in my
and Don to make everything fit. decision to enter the product or in
my evaluations of its quality.
“...that would help us all A major factor I haven’t mentioned
figure out the pace...” yet is the DVD authoring. Pat had a We didn’t do user testing, though
tough job getting these huge video the team always wanted to. We
files onto one navigable DVD. had some professional reviewers
He was always experimenting (dentists and dental hygienists),
with different compressions and but no user testing other than
formats to get everything to fit. anecdotal reports.
in the scene. Mostly, during Rutkowski acknowledges the The team had a very clear and
script reviews, the narration was CAESY DVD 2007 for its “subtle shared sense of what constituted
not changed very much (unless and expert marketing” quality. quality.
whole scenes got dropped), but Was this quality a goal in itself, Have you previously entered
my description of the visuals was or did the DVD’s marketability technical publications in the WVC
seen rightly by the videographers result more from the quality of its and STC competitions? If so,
and animators as highly informed content and treatment? what were the types of technical
suggestions. They knew best how
Quality was always a goal. The publications?
to show an idea, but it was easier
team always wanted to put in more Nope, I’d never entered any WVC
for them if they could start with my
quality and higher production or STC competition before.
description as a springboard. Also,
values than the budget or schedule
there were cases when I needed to
allowed. We were very proud of
tell them that something specific
our work, and wanted it to be the
had to be shown. For example,
best it could possibly be.
they’d often need to know which
specific tooth they should show for We also knew that to be successful,
which dental procedures. the product had to persuade
patients to get treatment. Dentists “...persuade patients
Did you determine the length of and dental hygienists often used to get treatment.”
individual scenes through the CAESY as an objective second
amount of time necessary for the opinion, so it had to be accurate
voice-over? Does software help and understandable in order to act
with the pacing of visuals and as a professional resource.
voice-overs?
In addition, we knew we were
We knew already that the living in a post-“CSI” world. Do you have any advice for Galley
videos should be about 1 to 2 Patients and customers expect readers about entering STC
minutes total, and we knew from high production-values. competitions?
experience about how long a scene
should be. Before the group script STC/WVC Competitions 1. If your friends have been
review, the videographers and What encouraged you and encouraging you to enter, do it.
animators would review the scripts your team to enter the CAESY 2. Follow the instructions exactly.
individually, picturing the scenes DVD 2007 in the WVC online 3. If you have questions, ask the
in their heads. (There was no time communication competition? competition manager for help.
in the schedule for storyboards.) At 4. Provide specific information
Darinda LaFlash had been
the group review, I would read the about how and what you did to
encouraging me to enter for years.
scripts aloud, and that would help create the product, including
I finally listened to her.
us all figure out the pace and what obstacles and successes.
needed cutting, moving, or adding. Did you use any of the judging
standards from the STC
After rough cuts of the videos
competition to evaluate the quality
were put together with the video,
of the CAESY DVD 2007? Besides
animation, and voice-over, we
user testing, what other evaluation
relied on editing of the video and
methods did you use? Open Wide, cont’d on page 11
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 10 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Open Wide, cont’d from page 10
fortunate that Ricardo is Mexican- get comments about how clear
The Future American and fluent in Spanish. and helpful my reports were. That
Do you think that online He was able to recognize gestures gave me the idea to look for work
communication as a medium is or expressions that may be writing for the healthcare industry.
becoming increasingly important? inappropriate.) Similarly, a French
If so, does online communication version aimed at Canada would
play a greater role now than you probably work well.
would have predicted five years
ago? Why/why not? What advice can you give for
technical communicators to
It seems to be. I think that it has a make the transition to online “He was able to recognize
lot to do with the fact that people communication from other media? gestures or expressions that
need good information to function
I wish I could, but it was accidental may be inappropriate.”
successfully, and at the same time,
a high proportion of people don’t for me. I was hired at CAESY to
read well. In addition, multimedia write user guides and online Help.
information takes advantage of But then Bob asked me to help him
more of our senses, and this allows out with the voice-over narration,
us more channels through which to and I showed some ability and
a lot of enthusiasm. After Bob How long have you been a
understand complex information. technical communicator, and in
Some would also say that people sold the company, the rest of the
video team, especially Kevin and what other genres or media of
these days want/need their technical communication have you
information to be entertaining— Ricardo, encouraged me to venture
much more into writing the worked?
look at the popularity of YouTube.
visuals. The team really gave me I’ve been writing for work since
the opportunity to shine. 1999, when I started writing little
Kendall has told me that writers instruction sheets for Applescripts
for TV often come into it from at a local pre-press company. I
a news reporting, TV or video then went to work at Tripwire, Inc.
production, or advertising as a technical writer. In 2002, I
“The team really gave me backgrounds. In addition, some went to work at CAESY. Recently, I
the opportunity to shine.” manufacturers make training started work at WebMD.
videos, so coming from an I’ve written instruction sheets,
instructional design background responses to RFPs, newsletter
could help. and magazine articles for both
print and online, printed user
And about Patrice… guides, online Help files, audio/
We know that no one can duplicate visual scripts, application UI text,
In global communications, do you your background or your situation,
think that online communication and online consumer healthcare
with its visual components may
be more adaptable than other
but we are curious about how you
reached your present status.
information.
-
Editors’ note: Patrice and the CAESY
media—or do you think that What are the highlights of your team took dental topics and procedures
differing cultural visual cues education, training, and experience from ideas on a spreadsheet to the
that brought you to this point? STC 2007 Best of Show for online
may cause difficulties beyond
communication. This talented team
translating the textual and voice- In addition to the above:
respected each other’s abilities; they
over language? M.A. in English Literature worked together to create a quality
Well, there is a Spanish version of Certificate of Professional and marketing product that not only enticed
CAESY. It uses the same visuals Technical Writing patients to ask dentists about specific
with a translation of the narration procedures and treatments but also
I got into writing for healthcare removed the “ick” factor from dentistry
and any onscreen text. But I think when my Dad was dying. I
this depends on the fact that many to “open wide.”
transcribed my notes that I took
of the procedures and treatments at doctor’s appointments, and
used in North America are not wrote reports to spread the news
significantly different than those to family and friends. Apparently
used in Central America. (We were I did it well because I started to
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 11 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Book Review: Building the Perfect PC
By Chris Masotti, STC Sacramento Chapter
Editors’ note: Toni Mantych and her making such a list. So if you pick select components. If the specific
regularly featured column, “Tools and this book up, say, eight months components chosen by the authors
Technology,” are on hiatus this month. after is was published and perhaps are out of date, the guidelines they
Keeping in the Tools spirit, we present ten months after it was written, it use will help the reader make wise
this book review about a technical will be as useful and timely as ever. choices from current options.
communicator’s most frequently used
tool—the PC. This review is a reprint “But,” you say, “what about my With abundant advice from the
from the September 2007 issue of The graphics card?” Fear not. I can eat authors, as well as their technical
Capital Letter, newsletter for the STC my cake, and you can have it, too. editors and others, the reader is
Sacramento Chapter. While there is, of course, no such armed against assembly “gotchas,”
R
obert Thompson and thing as perfect-for-everybody PC, dishonest vendors, and good, old-
Barbara Fritchman the authors have us both covered, fashioned ignorance. For example,
Thompson. 2007. 2nd with a whole smorgasbord of their use of a TV capture card is
ed. Building the Perfect PC. perfect PCs. fine for a Linux server, but ill-
Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly Media. Indeed, the Thompsons’ range of advised if the same server will be
[ISBN: 0-596-52686-5. 422 pages. project options actually addresses running Windows.
$34.99 usd.] the needs spectrum pretty well. As for the book’s title, you may ask
The perfect PC. Can there be such Readers can choose one (or more, why build, rather than buy, the
a thing? With a couple thousand naturally) of the following “perfect perfect PC. A few of the authors’
bucks to drop, you and I may PC” projects: the Mainstream PC, reasons, in no particular order:
disagree on whether to go for the SOHO Server, the Gaming PC, lower cost, more choice, better
massive storage capacity and the Media Center PC, the Small component quality, experience,
a system that will rarely if ever Form Factor PC, and, last and no bundled software. They make a
crash, or to blow half the cost on least expensive, the Budget PC. pretty convincing case for it, too.
rapid graphics and speakers that The reader is free to stray even If you’re in the market for a new
will have the neighbor making PC, and have even a slight interest
a call downtown. With a few in building your own, give this
thousand more, we could both book a read. So now I’m left with
have our way, but in a few months, just one question: do I go for the
our “perfect PC” would no longer Mainstream Media SOHO Gaming
be worthy of the name. Center, or the Budget Factor
So let’s be realistic. When we say “So let’s be realistic.” Small SOHO Server? Decisions,
we want a “perfect PC,” we’re
decisions.
-
Chris Masotti is a technical
talking about a machine that
communicator who has extensive
meets specific needs that can vary
experience with software startups
from buyer to buyer, fits within a and their unique challenges. His
reasonable budget, and will not writing projects range from policies &
be obsolete next month. Oh, and procedures and test plans, to MarCom
unless you spend your working from these six options and build, and software help systems. He currently
days (or free nights) immersed in for instance, a Small Form Factor works on projects in the chemicals and
this stuff, you’re going to need a Gaming Budget PC (though I wish
pharmaceuticals industries.
little hand holding from someone you luck on that one). Chris is managing editor of the The
who’s been around the block Capital Letter, newsletter of the
several hundred times. The principle behind the perfect Sacramento Chapter STC. When not
in any category is defining chained to his keyboard, he’s either
With the 2nd edition of Building requirements, setting priorities, immersed in a book or getting lost in
the Perfect PC, Robert Thompson and finding the right intersection the woods—sometimes both.
and Barbara Thompson have hit of quality and price—the “sweet
the mark. Here’s a book that not spot,” as the authors call it.
only provides the shopping list and There is a point after which price
steps you through assembling the rises sharply and performance
beast, it also educates the reader rises slowly. That is where to
on what principles are behind buy, and that is how the authors
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 12 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
New Funding Model and Dues Structure
By Cindy Currie, STC 2nd Vice President, Chair of the Community Advocacy Committee
T
here have been questions your 2008 dues, and subtract what innovative services and benefits
about the new chapter- you paid for 2007. of the type that our members
funding model and dues Don’t forget that if 2007 was your demand. Examples include:
structure approved by the STC first year as an STC member and Improved financial support
Board of Directors at our August you joined mid-year, you will for STC chapters. Under the
meeting. receive credit toward your 2008 new chapter-funding model
I’ve put together a Q&A that will dues. Look for details when the approved by the Board in
help explain the new model. My STC office sends out renewal August, STC chapters will
hope is that STC members will notices. get more money per member
see all of these changes as positive Q: Why are my dues increasing? than before. This empowers
steps that will enhance their local STC leaders to provide
A: Two reasons: The rising costs of
experience as members while improved programs and
running a non-profit organization,
simultaneously raising the status services.
and the new services and benefits
of our profession worldwide. Improved staff support for STC
STC is creating for its members.
Q: How much are my dues communities. Chapters and
The costs of operating a non-
increasing? profit organization have gone up.
A: Short answer: It depends on The reasons include the effects of
where you’re located and what inflation, rising health care costs,
membership category you choose. rising costs of printing, and many
Most (about 75 percent) of STC other factors. Even if STC were
members will see an increase of standing still, doing the same thing “The costs of operating a
$25. Others will see more or less, year after year, we would have to non-profit organization
depending on their circumstances. raise dues to continue operating. have gone up.”
Long answer: The easiest way to However, STC is not standing
compute your dues increase is to still. The past year has been one of
use the chart below to determine laying the groundwork for new and
(For this rate) (For this rate) (For this rate)
This Category Includes these components: Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Classic Membership Printer and online publications $175 $140 + extra $100 + extra
Choice of one of the following: (Canadian members add cost of postage cost of postage
One chapter + one SIG extra postage of $15). Other ($35) ($35)
Up to three SIGs non-Canadian, non-U.S.
countries in Tier 1 add extra
postage of $35.
E-Membership Online publications $165 $130 $90
Choice of one of the following:
One chapter + one SIG
Up to three SIGs
Student or Retired Online publications, one student $60 $60 $60
Membership chapter, one regular chapter, up
to three SIGs
Tier 1: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.
Tier 2: Bermuda, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Taiwan, Russia, and UAE. Also: Eastern European
countries (EU).
Tier 3: Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South
Korea, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Also: Other African states, Eastern European countries (non-EU), ex-
USSR countries, and other South American countries.
Dues, cont’d on page 14
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 13 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Dues, cont’d from page 13
SIGs look to the Leadership the labor market measures and benefits for its members, the
Community Resource (LCR) and the advice that the DOL increased costs of doing business
for help and guidance. gives job seekers. STC’s efforts would require a dues increase. The
Recently, the STC office added should raise the stature of the fact is that STC dues have not kept
a staff position to provide profession significantly. up with the increase in costs.
support to communities both STC’s efforts with the DOL (as Currently, STC spends about $300
by assisting the LCR in its described above) are attracting per member. If STC was 100%
work and by working directly the attention of technical dues dependent, each member
with community leaders. communicators in the U.K. would need to pay $300 in dues.
More than ever, STC chapter They want to influence the However, STC has other sources of
presidents, SIG managers, and British government in a revenues: conference registration,
student chapter advisors have similar way, and look to STC’s exhibits, sponsorships, advertising,
someplace to turn to for help! efforts as a blueprint. In this royalties, and interest from
The STC office recently sense, STC is setting a course investments. These other sources
relaunched its email for the profession within and bring the costs down to about
newsletter, News & Notes, outside the U.S. $150 per member; therefore, STC
expanding it to include STC has invested in upgrades needs $150 to cover the rest of
industry newsbriefs on to the technology that supports the costs. The new dues structure
topics of interest to technical the day-to-day work of running packages membership in STC with
communicators. a non-profit association. While membership in STC communities,
STC has hired economist not a direct new benefit to bringing the prices to what you see
Rick O’Sullivan to produce a members, these upgrades will in the table above.
comprehensive salary database allow the STC office staff to
If I renew now, can I get the old
for technical writers based provide improved services
renewal rate?
on data gathered by the U.S. that will result in increased
Bureau of Labor Statistics member satisfaction. Unfortunately, STC cannot afford
(BLS). More wide ranging and to offer renewal at the old rates
What does STC do with member
statistically valid than STC’s for the reasons cited above. The
dues?
old salary survey (1.25 million renewal page of the STC Web site
business establishments are STC works to deliver the best is currently disabled; it will go live
surveyed), the new salary possible services and benefits to with the new rates in October.
database will, for the first its members. Therefore, it spends
time, provide STC members the money it receives on things
with salary data according to that are necessary to reach this
industry as well as geography. goal. Publications require editing,
STC is working to influence design, and printing. Conferences
the U.S. Department of Labor require advertising and meeting
room rentals. Live Web seminars “...an article titled ‘Where
(DOL) to replace the outdated do my STC dues go?’...on
definition of technical writer require an IT infrastructure. Just
keeping a non-profit organization the STC Web site soon.”
in the Standard Occupational
Classification System (SOC) running requires a staff, which
with a new definition for means salaries and office space
technical communicator. The rental. Because this is a question
SOC definitions are used in STC members are naturally
the BLS salary survey that is interested in, the STC staff is
sent to 1.25 million business putting together an article titled Editors’ Note: The STC office has
establishments. The BLS also “Where do my STC dues go?” This advised us that the dues packages
governs what is published in will provide more detail on STC represented in this article may not be
finances—look for it on the STC the final packages.
the Occupational Handbook,
the prime reference source for Web site soon.
career counselors, educators, Can’t you lower my dues instead of
and guidance counselors raising them?
nationwide. If the SOC Unfortunately, no. Even if STC
definition changes, so will were not creating new services
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 14 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Member Spotlight: Noelle Evans
By Ann Whitley, WVC Senior Member
A
sk a roomful of people to Noelle evolves herself and her countries,
raise their hand if they are career by learning what she needs Noelle says
working their dream jobs, personally and professionally challenges
and you’ll see that Noelle’s hand through casual conversations with can emerge
is up. friends and colleagues. “It’s good as a result
“It fulfills my needs for creativity to learn what they do and why of language
and logic, and supports them in a they like it, in case some aspect of barriers
synthesized way,” Noelle says of what I didn’t consider prompts a or cultural
her nearly 20 years in technical change,” she says. differences.
writing in the hardware and As a consultant, Noelle brings For example,
software industries. “Whether I’m that interpersonal quality to her if a cultural norm is never to
on staff or a consultant—and now software development teams say “no,” you must learn to ask
working on global teams—I have to enhance communication. important questions like, “Is the
an infinite wealth of interesting Understanding why people do project on schedule?” in a way
opportunities.” what they do ultimately brings that allows the team members to
greater success to her projects. answer accurately without saying
She began creating those “no.”
opportunities when a layoff from Through her technical writing
AT&T led to a career counseling career, Noelle has taken time to To further help international
session. When someone suggested observe herself and other writers, teams function cohesively, Noelle
technical writing, Noelle began the and she has picked up some gems keeps her focus on getting a job
uncomfortable task of cold calling of wisdom that make technical done while treating everyone
documentation managers. She also writing a dream job for her. with respect and compassion for
began studying computer software their struggles as remote team
Noelle noted that writers can get members.
and hardware at a two-year resentful because of unrealistic
program at Portland Community production schedules and the “Their success is my success,” says
College (PCC). Eventually, the struggle to maintain quality Noelle.
cold calling paid when someone standards when the environment Time differences and lack of
remembered her. Before she could doesn’t support high quality face-to-face communication can
complete the program at PCC, documentation. “If you let it rule add to the challenges of working
Noelle began her first technical your attitude, it colors everything,” with a globally distributed team.
writing job at Mentor Graphics, she says. “Email communication can be
which was in Beaverton at that misinterpreted because we lack
time. “My life got a lot better when I
realized I don’t have to fix it or let visual cues,” she adds.
“Mentor Graphics was a great it rule me. I communicate to my One of the greatest tips she has
place to work,” says Noelle, boss what my priorities are, and learned about working remotely
because it offered many then we have the opportunity to is how effective instant messenger
intellectual challenges to keep her change them. The engineering (IM) can be for international
interested. “I get bored easily,” she organization understands those teams. She said of her initiating
adds with her good-natured laugh. tradeoffs,” she says. experience, “When people were
“Good quality work is important working, IM was up and so they
to me because I want to know responded to quick, easy questions
that I’m doing my best,” adds like, ‘This doesn’t work,’ and, ‘Are
Noelle. She always makes sure to you around? Can we chat?’ My
maintain certain standards so that eyes were opened with regard to
her clients are satisfied when the IM as a work tool.”
“‘Good quality work is project is finished. Noelle says she expects to work
important to me...’” on international teams with any
Noelle has worked on international
teams for the past six years. future project because of the trend
Whether team members are to employ more non-U.S. residents
distributed across the globe or
are simply native to non-U.S.
Spotlight, cont’d on page 16
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 15 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Spotlight, cont’d from page 15
November Birthdays
on technical teams. “What makes talks about working part-time as a 1 Stephen Crane
it successful is people’s attitude,” technical writer, which she says is
she says. a challenge for a consultant. 2 Barbey D’Aurevilly
Noelle says that balancing work “Of course, the ideal is not to 5 Will Durant
with personal outlets is most work,” she said. “But as long as I Thomas Flanagan
important to her today. have to get paid, I wouldn’t change Sam Shepard
“When I left a staff position for a thing about what I do. I’m 6 James Jones
consulting, the hardest but most grateful for the technical writing Harold Ross
important thing was learning career I’ve had and have. It is the 7 Albert Camus
boundaries. I found I could work
all day long and on weekends very
perfect job situation for me.”
- 8 Kazuo Ishiguro
Margaret Mitchell
easily, giving away too much time Bram Stoker
to my clients.”
10 Oliver Goldsmith
Noelle also rejuvenates herself
with scuba diving and quilting. 11 Fyodor Dostoevsky
“‘Diving is like... Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
“Diving is like having a meditation
session or doing yoga,” says Noelle. meditation...’” 13 Robert Louis Stevenson
“It disengages my mind from work 18 Margaret Atwood
because I have to pay attention to Sir William Gilbert
my gear. It’s quiet, and everything 21 Marilyn French
slows down. You see fascinating, Voltaire
little things.”
22 George Eliot
Noelle and her husband started
cold-water diving in the Pacific Ann Whitley is an STC senior 27 James Agee
member who has been a technical Gail Sheehy
Northwest, including Vancouver,
communicator in the software industry
B.C., where the Canadian since 1996. Currently, Ann is a lone 28 William Blake
government sinks old Navy ships, technical writer at iGrafx, a business Rita Mae Brown
and Hood Canal in Washington process modeling and analysis software 29 Louisa May Alcott
between Seattle and the Olympic company. She has served STC as a C.S. Lewis
Peninsula shore. Later, they added publications competition judge and
warm-water diving in places like employment manager, and participated 30 Gordon Parks
Bonaire, the “diving mecca” of the on a special committee to survey and Jonathan Swift
Caribbean ABC islands. report on chapter salary data. Mark Twain
Sometimes the risk of diving is in
the venue. She and her husband November Observances
were stranded in Cozumel
National Inspirational Role
for nearly two weeks when a
Model Month
Category 5 hurricane with 185-
miles-per-hour winds touched National Novel Writing
down and uncharacteristically Month
refused to move on for four days. 1–7 World Communication Week
Happily, she enjoyed her latest 19–25 Better Conversation
diving adventure in Maui in Week
September. She has also dived off
1 National Authors’ Day
the west coast of Norway, where
she visits her granddaughter, her 4 Daylight Saving Ends
stepson and his wife, who is a 8 Abet and Aid Punsters Day
Norwegian native.
15 I Love to Write Day
Although Noelle hasn’t been doing
21 Pumpkin Pie Day
much quilting lately, perhaps there
will be more in her future when 22 Thanksgiving Day
she slows down for retirement. She
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 16 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
WVC Activities Oregon History Dates
C F
hapter program meetings to the mailing list and learn when rom: The Web site of
are the third Thursday of the next meeting will be held. James Cloutier, “On This
each month, except July Other activities include workshops, Day in Oregon,” http://
and August. Meetings begin with WVC technical publications www.onthisdayinoregon.com,
networking at 6:00 pm followed competitions and volunteer 2000–2003.
by the program, which begins at recognition banquets, and senior
7:00 pm and concludes at 8:30 pm. November 5, 1912
member breakfasts. Watch for
“On this day in 1912 the long
All WVC members are welcome to details and last-minute changes
struggle to gain access to the ballot
attend the WVC business meetings about meetings and other
box came to an end in Oregon as
on the fourth Thursday of each functions on the WVC Web site
voters across the state voted in
month, except July, when there (http://www.stcwvc.org).
favor of the Suffrage Amendment
is no meeting. Meetings generally Upcoming events with green dates to the Oregon Constitution.
begin at 6:15 pm. Contact Susan are definite.
Kloster at president@stcwvc.org if “Interest in Oregon’s battle for a
you’d like to attend. November 7: WVC Independent woman’s right to vote extended
Contractors’ SIG abroad as the election results were
The Independent Contractors SIG
November 15: Amber Swope, cabled just before midnight to
meets on the first Wednesday of
“Introduction to DITA,” PSU London where 10,000 suffragettes
every other month from 6:00–
were anxiously awaiting the
8:00 pm at different restaurants November 17: WVC Competition
outcome. Politicians reacted
in the Portland metro area. judges meeting, Lingo Systems
skeptically to claims that the
Upcoming meetings will be held (15115 SW Sequoia Pkwy, Portland
feminine vote would drastically
in November, January (second 97224), 10:00 am
alter the order of things. ‘The hand
Wednesday), March, and May. December: Holiday Social, tba that rocks the cradle will never
Contact Ron Kurtus (ronk@
rock the boat,’ they insisted.”
ronkurtus.com) to add your name
November 8, 1922
“On this day in 1922 Oregonians
reading the newspaper would have
found considerable coverage of
the previous day’s elections. Of
particular note was the election of
Walter M. Pierce to replace Ben
Olcott as governor.
“Olcott had refused endorsement
of the then powerful Ku Klux
Klan, saying, ‘I would rather meet
defeat and be a free American
than to serve another term in the
governor’s chair with the millstone
of such an endorsement hanging
around my neck.’
“There was also the overwhelming
passage of a school measure that
would require all students to
attend public schools after 1926.
Photo by Carol L. Larson
Approval of this bill changed the
roles of private and parochial
schools in Oregon.”
-
Pumpkin Pi, carved by Jim Larson
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 17 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Educational Opportunities
F
all 2007 classes began in September at local colleges, so now it’s time to plan for winter term classes. Local
colleges include: Portland State University (http://www.pdx.edu); Portland Community College (http://
www.pcc.edu); Washington State University (http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu); Clark College (http://
www.clark.edu); and Chemeketa Community College (http://www.chemeketa.edu).
Some possible course choices include:
Date What Title Time
Nov. 14 PCC Ed2Go Introduction to ASP.NET 6 weeks
Nov. 14 PCC Ed2Go Creating Web Graphics with Photoshop CS3 6 weeks
Jan. 7, 2008 PSU WR 410/510 RoboHelp M 6:40–10:30 pm
Jan. 7, 2008 PSU WR 410/510 Publications Management Th 5:30–9:10 pm
Jan. 7, 2008 PSU WR 410/510 Indexing and Abstracting W 5:30–9:10 pm
STC is developing the 2007–2008 webinar program and creating a new look for the webinars page. For
complete information and future webinars check the STC Web site http://www.stc.org/edu/seminars01.asp.
Currently, the base fee for STC members, the base fee is $99; for non-members, $149. One site is allowed one
telephone connection and one computer connection. Additional telephone and computer connections are $150
each. Registration closes 24 hours before the webinar is given.
You may want to check out Online-Learning.com (http://www.online-learning.com), which offers online
courses and programs in numerous areas, including graphic design, information design, technical writing,
Web-based training design, and XML authoring. Online-Learning courses are accredited by Ohio University in
Athens, Ohio, and Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario.
Writers Online Workshops (http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/), presented by Writer’s Digest, offers a
variety of courses for writing professionals.
Disclaimer: The STC-WVC and The Willamette Galley staff are not responsible for the content of courses mentioned in this
column. —Editors
WVC Networking
M
ake professional contacts Other professional networking IPN’s (http://www.ipn.org)
and meet other technical possibilities for WVC members program meetings are on the
communicators. Before include CHIFOO, Internet second Tuesday of each month
WVC program meetings begin, Professionals Northwest (IPN), with networking at 5:00 pm and the
members have the opportunity to American Society for Training and program at 6:00 pm. Check the IPN
network with other WVC members Development (ASTD). Web site for program details.
from 6:00–6:45 pm. Chapter The 2007 CHIFOO (http://www. The Cascadia Chapter of ASTD
program meetings are the third chifoo.org) program series is (http://www.astdcascadia.org)
Thursday of each month. No “Mind the Business: Promoting meetings begin with networking
program meetings are held in July the Value of Your Work.” at 5:00 pm and the program from
and August. Program meetings are on the 6:00–8:00 pm. Watch the ASTD
The WVC Consulting and first Wednesday of the month. Cascadia Chapter Web site for
Independent Contractors Evenings begin with “CHIFOOd” additional details.
(CIC) SIG meets the first at the New Seasons Market (Cedar
Wednesday of every other month Hills Crossing, Beaverton) at
from 6:00–8:00 pm at different 5:00 pm, followed by registration
restaurants in the Portland metro and networking at 6:30 pm and the
area. Scheduled meetings are: program at 7:00 pm in Building 38
November 7 at Tektronix in Beaverton. See
the CHIFOO Web site for location
January 9 (second Wed.)
details. Upcoming events include:
March 5
November 7: Bill DeRouchey
May 7
and Tom Lakovic, “Show the
Contact Ron Kurtus, CIC SIG Whole Story, Show How You
manager, at ronk@ronkurtus.com Think”
for more information.
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 18 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Galley Editorial Policies Contact STC/WVC
T he Willamette Galley co-
editors, Valerie M. Ball and
Carol L. Larson, read and review
Deadlines for
Submissions
STC
Society for Technical
S end submissions to The Communication
textual and visual submissions
Galley co-editors—Valerie 901 N Stuart St, Suite 904
and publish those that, to the
(vmball@rockwellcollins.com) or Arlington, VA 22203
knowledge of The Galley staff, do
Carol (carol@larson-tech.com). 703-522-4114
not violate laws regarding libel,
slander, pornography, or civil Deadlines are: Web site: http://www.stc.org
rights. Copyright laws are strictly 10 day of the month that
th
Email: stc@stc.org
observed. Contributors must cite precedes the publishing STC President: Linda L. Oestreich
quotations according to the 15th month: Op-Ed articles (one (pres@stc.org)
edition of The Chicago Manual of Galley page); Book/software
Style; but contributors must apply reviews (500–750 words) Region 7 Director
for copyright permissions from the 15th day of the month that John Hedtke represents Region 7
source for lengthy passages of text, precedes the publishing to the International STC Board
illustrations, charts, photographs, month: Feature articles of Directors and is from Oregon’s
or related materials. (750–1,000 words); Letters to Mid-Valley Chapter.
the Editor ( Submit
professionals in the Late Renewing 0 0
Cancelled 0 0 for Posting>Submit a Job).
community
Promote best practices in Total Members 243 244 The jobs list is a subscription-only
technical communications list. WVC members subscribe
for free, while non-members
Offer educational
subscribe for a $50 annual fee.
opportunities to encourage
To subscribe, go to the WVC
and support professional
Web site and follow the links
growth and career
to the “Signup for Updates”
development
page (Employment>Signup for
Updates).
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 19 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007
Community Resources
By Carol L. Larson
I
n her article, “International links to business partners, Most from Wikis, Blogs,
Technical Communication,” related associations, and and Other Collaborative
on page 3, STC Associate publications. Tools. Plano, TX: Wordware
Fellow and international technical MultiLingual Computing, Inc. Publishing. This book
communication (ITC) expert (http://www.multilingual. gives advice for managing
Kit Brown believes that “as the com) produces MultiLingual, distributed workgroups, while
global market becomes more a translation, globalization, developing work relationships
sophisticated and demanding of international software among the group members.
local language/culturally attuned development, and language Lingo Systems. 6th ed. 2006.
products, ITC skills will become technology industry magazine. The Guide to Translation and
more and more important.” Nancy Hoft Consulting Localization: Communicating
The STC International Technical (http://www.world-ready. with the Global Marketplace.
Communication SIG is the primary com) has an extensive Portland, OR: Lingo Systems.
focus for this Galley issue. annotated bibliography This book guides beginners
about international technical with basic information and
International Technical communication. Although discussions about more
Communication this bibliography has not advanced topics—content
been updated since February management and multimedia
Web Sites 2000, many resources are still localization—for experts.
The STC ITC SIG Website valuable. The adage that “the world is
(http://www.stcsig.org/ EServer TC Library (http:// getting smaller” is not true, even
itc) offers a vast number tc.eserver.org) is a library of though the world may seem
of resources, including articles and books for technical smaller. Technical communicators
translation and localization communicators. no longer work only in their
readers, standards, FAQs, offices; videoconferencing
articles, and other resources. Articles and Books
and teleconferencing make
Globalization and Localization Intercom. May 2005 [52:5].
international workgroups possible.
Association (http://www. Intercultural technical
Without a doubt, the world is a
gala-global.org) is a forum communication is the focus for
global community.
for professionals to discuss this Intercom issue.
Proceedings for the STC Kit Brown feels that “effective
issues and solutions. This
Annual Conferences internationalization is one way
Web site contains links to
(http://www.stc.org/pubs/ that technical communicators
articles, related organizations,
proceedings01.asp) have can have a direct beneficial effect
terminology, and tools.
numerous articles about on the company’s bottom line
Localization Industry
localization, globalization, and through lower localization costs,
Standards Association
translation. improved customer satisfaction,
(http://www.lisa.org) is
Session materials from the and more usable and effective
an international forum
containing links to standards,
publications, and events.
STC Annual Conferences
(http://www.stc.org/edu/
documentation.”
-
Disclaimer: The quality and content of
sessionMaterials.asp) give the resources mentioned in this article
World Wide Web Consortium
materials used by presenters at are the opinion of the author only and
Internationalization Activity not STC-WVC or The Willamette Galley
(http://www.w3.org/ the conferences.
staff.
International) lists resources John Yunker. 2003. Beyond
for articles, technical reports, Borders: Web Globalization
tools, standards, and other Strategies. Berkeley, CA: New
related organizations. Riders Publishing. This book is
Lingo Systems (http://www. a guide for creating global Web
lingosys.com) specializes in sites.
translation and localization M. Katherine Brown, Brenda
products. This site contains Huettner, and Char James-
resource pages for FAQs, tips, Tanny. 2007. Managing
case studies, a glossary, and Virtual Teams: Getting the
The Willamette Galley, Portland, OR 20 Volume 10, Issue 5, October 2007