STC Renewal
If you haven’t renewed your STC membership yet, you can still do so and get a discount. Enter promo code STCRENEW in the Dues Discount box of the checkout page and receive 10% off your renewal.
Book Review: The Insider’s Guide to Technical Writing
The dark side of technical writing appears as one of the topics that author Krista Van Laan tackles in what she calls an insider’s view of the field of technical writing. She says documentation is sometimes an endeavor that is not much respected and explains how “documentation always comes last” and what challenges writers have due to … Continue reading…
From the Editors – March/April 2016
As we move toward spring, we have some great events planned. March brings us the return of Neil Perlin – one of our most popular speakers. On Thursday, March 10, 2016, Neil addresses the topic of How Mobiles Will Change Tech Comm. It is easy to agree, as our program announcement states, that mobiles have “permeated society in the … Continue reading…
Speed Interviewing Provides College Students with Valuable Career Information
NEO STC representatives were invited by Walsh University Professor Ron Scott for a second year to participate in a Career Day for English majors at Ursuline College on Feb. 6th. Last year a consortium of northeastern Ohio liberal arts colleges and universities put together a Career Day for a group of about 50 soon-to-be-graduating English … Continue reading…
Education and the Market
Let’s look at some ways of thinking about online versus traditional education to see where we have been and where we could be going. You might enjoy a related read at The Market Is Sending a Message About Modalities (graphic comes from this site.) Ways of looking at online and traditional learning Those who have moved … Continue reading…
What’s Up with Upwork/Elance
When people ask about my experience with the Elance/Upwork online freelancing platforms, I admit it’s been a mixed bag including work with a major West Coast tech giant (where I signed a nondisclosure agreement and did not know at first who the client was) to work with smaller clients. Maybe my experience is similar to others, where some experiences … Continue reading…
Book Review: Smaller, Faster, Lighter, Denser, Cheaper
Smaller, Faster, Lighter, Denser, Cheaper: The Catalysts Driving Business, [Hardback] By Robert Bryce (2014), Public Affairs Publisher, The Perseus Books Group, ISBN-9781610392051, $17.95 Author, journalist, and public speaker Robert Bryce has published many articles on energy and oil use and five books such as Power Hungry, The Myths of “Green” Energy, and the Real Fuels … Continue reading…
From the Editors – February 2016
Welcome to our February edition. As usual we have some great programs and activities coming up. Thursday, February 11, from 6-8pm, Lisa Adair and Kathleen Ruggeri speak on the topic of machine editing. Don’t miss what should be a great learning experience from Lisa and Kathleen. Two days before this meeting NEO STC hosts a … Continue reading…
NEO STC Membership Points/Recognition Summary
Did you know that you can earn points as a member of the NEO STC chapter and earn recognition and gifts from the chapter? Contributing an article to this newsletter is one way to earn points. Read on for more details. The vitality of NEO STC depends on the efforts of its members and volunteers, … Continue reading…
Editor’s Column: My Vendetta with the Serial Comma and the Space Time Continuum
What keeps you up at night? Is it how to solve world hunger? Keeping safe drinking water available in our own country? Or something else. For me, and this seems to be causing me insomnia much more lately, it is the use, and inconsistent use, of two small items that are not much larger than … Continue reading…
In the Spotlight: Brigid Brockway
Say hello to Brigid Brockway! Brigid works at DRB Systems in Green, Ohio. DRB Systems provides automated management systems and point of service systems for car washes, quick lubes, petroleum marketers, and convenience store businesses. Brigid is a newer member of NEO STC, joining just over a year ago and says she has found membership very … Continue reading…
Writing for Intercom and Technical Communication
STC membership, as you know, includes access to Intercom and Technical Communication through stc.org. I like to remind myself that contributing to these publications can provide a writing sample in the public domain plus a chance for professional development. Writing an article for Technical Communication can be a career enhancer. Writing book reviews is a … Continue reading…
From the Editors – December 2015/January 2016
Season’s greetings to all of you and best wishes for 2016! As we wrap up the 2015 calendar year, we can look back at some great events and programs. We can also look forward to a new year of great activities. On Thursday, January 14, Jennifer Yaros will speak on Simplified Technical English. Two days … Continue reading…
Taking Fun to a New Level at Our Holiday Dinner
Fun and food were a great benefit of our holiday dinner for NEO-STC this year, but the greatest part was being able to visit and catch up with fellow NEO-STC members! The Fox & Hound in Mayfield Heights was the venue, and it was a great place to relax and be loud and just have … Continue reading…
Current Book Club News
Our January 2016 book selection is Word Up! How to Write Powerful Sentences and Paragraphs (And Everything You Build from Them) by Marcia Riefer Johnston. What’s it about? “Lots of books can strengthen your writing. Few also leave you smiling. This is one.” With almost 150 5-star reviews on Amazon (and a blurb from someone … Continue reading…
World Usability Day 2015 #WUDCLE15
The tenth annual World Usability Day (WUD) was celebrated globally on November 12, 2015. The global theme was Innovation. More than 90 events dedicated to usability were held in 31 countries. Cleveland UXPA hosted a local event at the new Stillwater Place facility at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The keynote speaker was the founder and … Continue reading…
Ohioisms
Like everyplace else, Ohio has its own regional dialect – words, phrases, and grammar that are uncommon in other regions. This language is considered acceptable in Ohio, but may seem incorrect or confusing to outsiders. This article highlights some features of this dialect and gives tips to avoid confusing those who don’t speak the local … Continue reading…
Outlandish English
It is always a good time to point out the outlandishness of the English language. Alliteration contains five syllables, none of which begin with the same sound. Dactylic isn’t. A spondee, however, is a spondee. Diphthong doesn’t contain any. Double-u is a word that doesn’t contain a w. Lisp is hard to say when you have one. Palindrome isn’t one. Phonetically is spelled p-h-o-n-e-t-i-c-a-l-l-y, … Continue reading…
Trends and Disruptions: Some Thoughts
A look at trends in technology in education and related fields should help us prepare for how these might impact the future of not only education but all learning products that include technical communication deliverables. The ideas based on this article come from Three Technological Trends That Set the Tone for Higher Education’s Future, which you might … Continue reading…
Book Review: Dale Carnegie’s Golden Book
Dale Carnegie’s Golden Book, Paperback, 2013, Dale Carnegie and Associates, Inc. Could Dale Carnegie’s ideas still be relevant today? You can judge that for yourself as you look at these ideas that come from his book. Groups such as Tri-C still use his books and ideas today for professional development work. The www.dalecarnegie.com site shows … Continue reading…