#TCchat: Schedule

How Can Tech Comm Use Social Media? (Inaugural Discussion)

Social media, in case you haven’t determined by now, is my favorite. It is incredibly varied and quick, with enormous potential to reach audiences and provide them information in whatever format they need.

That, perhaps that is best promise of social media. You’re there when the user needs you, where they need you at that precise moment.

We discussed them all between the two sessions. Twitter. Facebook. Websites and blogs. Video. Excellent examples were provided and good discussion prevailed. Review the transcripts and see for yourself!

How Do We Optimize TechComm around Generational Preferences?

With all the major shifts in demographics currently in play, we need to stay informed on this issue.

Managing and Organizing Troubleshooting Information on the Web

Details can be found in the “Suggestion for Topics” discussion item on the Facebook page. This is our first request.

Managing Collaboration in Documentation Projects

This is the Age of Collaboration. It’s all around us, and becoming more prevalent all the time. Join us for a discussion on collaboration and its effect on tech comm. Key topics will be sources of information (such as customers, marketers, and developers) and management issues such as tracking, ensuring accuracy, and maintaining editorial standards. We’ll also talk about implementing a content strategy and building and cultivating a community. There’s much to cover in one short hour! Hope to see you there!

Guest: Larry Kunz – Project Manager, STC Fellow, and recipient of 2010 STC President’s Award

Managing and Integrating User-Generated Content

It’s a fact of life today that user-generated content is here to stay. In fact, it’s expected and even encouraged to invite as an important piece in building community. In this discussion, we’ll look at issues to consider and how to manage UGC.

Note: this topic lead the voting in the recent poll to determine priority of discussion topics, and has come up in previous #tcchat sessions.

Developing Content for Mobile Devices

Screens are smaller and use of mobile has been and continues to increase exponentially. We’ll discuss considerations in writing for smaller screens, touchscreens, and how to prepare content with “mobile minimalism” in mind.

How Can Tech Writers Be More Proactive?

This will discuss how tech writers can work in their companies to push their docs more: with other departments such as Marketing and Support and with users. The other main topic is getting involved in standards discussions on a larger scale. Two blog post references follow.

Defeating Disappointment
Tristan Bishop, @KnowledgeBishop

Is Your Phone Really Smart?
Julio Vazquez, @juliov27612

No chat: Veteran’s Day holiday (US)

Changing Roles in Documentation Departments

For years, writers researched, tested, and wrote and editors reviewed content using three basic types of edit: developmental, mid-level, and copyedit. Now there is much more to consider: user-generated content, new devices and modes of access, and agile programming to name a few. Let’s take a look at everything, see what’s changed, what’s needed, and how to adapt.

No chat: Thanksgiving Holiday (US)

Minimalism

Move to Weds/Thurs Schedule effective with this chat

Topic: Agile Programming

The switch to Agile has resulted in many changes to the documentation process as well. In this session, we’ll take a look at that.

Search and SEO

In many discussions so far, it has become evident that many people search for documentation in Google before even looking at company documentation. It’s important to keep this in mind, so we’ll look at that and search engine optimization (SEO).

Wish List and Trends for 2011

What do you want to see in tech comm in the coming year? Use of a favorite new technology? Something to try? What trends do you see for the coming year? Let’s talk about that.

CSS: Training Session

As usual, we like to blaze trails on #tcchat. Let’s kick off the new year with another first for a chat (as far as I know, anyway): chat as a training session. The first session: CSS (cascading style sheets).

Of all the coding and anything else I’ve learned through the years, this is without a doubt the most important and most common item I’ve used. I’m constantly amazed at how often I come across it. WordPress is the latest. Everyone needs a basic knowledge of CSS code and how to create and maintain a style sheet. I’ll tell you all about it. Be sure and bring questions! This session is all about digging into the code. No wysiwyg!

Demographics in Tech Comm: What are the concerns, ideas, thoughts of different age groups

This week’s chat came as a result of creation of the Society for Young Tech Communication – which was subsequently changed to Association for Technical Communication. There was a concern that voices of younger tech writers weren’t being heard. So we had a chat about it, which resulted in sharing of much excellent information. This was a great chat. Be sure and check the transcripts.

Also, be sure and join the ATC! It’s free and open to all.