Month: September 2008

bookmark_borderUA Conference

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Later on this week I’ll be attending the UA Conference in Edinburgh. Formally known as the “Online Help Conference” it’s a long running conference which I last attended back in 2001 when it was held in Copenhagen. That conference involved a dinner cruise on the canals of the city, followed by a couple… ok several.. ok ok.. far too many beers, which culminated in my missing the opening session the next day (the shame!).

So, whilst it’s probably just as well I’m not staying over at this conference, it is likely I’ll partake of a beer or two.

Casting my eye down the list of speakers I’ve spotted some familiar names – Joe Welinske, Tony Self, Matthew Ellison, Dave Gash – and one name that I’m hoping to get to meet, Leisa Reichelt, whose blog I’ve been following for quite a while now. I’m wondering who else I’ll bump into? I’ve already arranged to catch up with an old colleague, and by old I mean a colleague from several years ago not a colleague who is old (sorry Sally!), and will be keeping my eyes open for any other names or faces that I recognise (I’m presuming that Ellis will be there).

Of course, as with any conference, there are a few sessions that have caught my eye as they mirror some of the things my team are currently heading towards, but I’m not sure I’ll be attending all the sessions so there will be plenty of chance to do some networking (I’m still not completely sure what that means, I tend to just go and talk to people, is that the same thing?).

So don’t be alarmed if a large Scotsman introduces himself to you, conversely if you spot me in the bar on Thursday evening (before everyone disappears off to dinner) then come and say hi (my mugshot can be found on my LinkedIn profile, see I’m not THAT scary).

And remember, mine’s a Guinness!

bookmark_borderWhat do you write?

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Most of my experience is based around software documentation. Whilst there are several levels to this, from task oriented User Guides through to highly technical API/SDK documentation, they tend to follow similar patterns making it easy for me to take my experience and apply it to new challenges.

I’ve also been involved in writing up procedures and guidelines as part of an ISO quality system, a little whitepaper style writing, and even the odd product brochure. All of which require a slightly different approach but the same grounding in the basics of understanding the audience.

However I’m aware that there are many other forms of technical writing, and I’m curious to find out what everyone else does? Do you write documentation for hardware products? Do you write proposals? Procedures?

Ultimately I’m starting to look at other areas of our profession to see if there are any good things that I can re-use where I am. If you have a moment, I’d love to hear what your main writing focus is, let me know in the comments.

bookmark_borderMorning World

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Time moves on and these days I tend to watch Saturday Kitchen as opposed to Soccer AM (blame the new Soccer AM bloke, he’s rubbish). So whilst I sup on my coffee, Ken Hom is stirring up some Pork and Pineapple dish and I’m salivating.

Anyway, today I’m doing a little research after an interesting phone call yesterday, I’m updating my iPhone with the new software update (and filling it with a little more music), and then I’ll sit down with lunch and watch the Man Utd vs Liverpool game. Then it’s a few little chores, and deciding what to do for dinner before I head out to lose money playing Poker. OK, not really, I’m still learning so I’m allowed to play for free. Should be fun!

Tomorrow? Well that depends when I get home, when I get up and whether the couch decides that it would like some company or not.

Although I have been toying with resurrecting Scottish Blogs… maybe. Don’t get yer hopes up!

bookmark_borderBreak it to fix it

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Work smarter, they say, so that’s what we are trying to do. In fact I’d hope that is what we are all trying to do but, like everyone else, it’s natural that once you have a process or a tool that works for you, you tend not to look about for a replacement.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, they say. But sometimes you need to break things, you need to reach the point where you know that accepting some pain, and possibly a small backwards step, will benefit you in the long run. So whilst it will be a wrench to leave our FrameMaker/Webworks based system, I firmly believe it will benefit us in the long run, and by “us” I refer to both the company and the Publications team I look after.

So, with Author-it licenses received, the first steps will be taken towards a database publishing system that will make it easier for us to work with the Training department, and ultimately make it far easier to publish the information our users require. It’s the first step down a long road.

Of course we won’t actually be breaking anything, and the migration of content and our working processes will take some time, as will learning the full capabilities and limitations of our new tool, but I’m kinda excited by the entire thing. I’m convinced if we are smart about how we handle the transition it will prove beneficial and, as I work with some really smart people, I’m sure we’ll flush out further benefits as we go along.

Consider this advanced warning that, for the next few months, I’ll largely be focussing on our transition from FrameMaker to Author-it. If you have any questions along the way, please ask, I’ll answer in as much detail as I can (company sensitivities will, of course, be my censor).

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bookmark_borderBiscuit-iquette

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Custard Cream or Bourbon? Digestive or Hobnob? With this being the internet there is, of course, a website dedicated to this topic.

In the office we, on a somewhat random basis, get free biscuits. It’s a limited selection and, as I work with a large number of people who aren’t that long out of university, the supply doesn’t last long. The biscuits come in mini-packs of three, unfortunately not mixed but three of the same kind.

We have the choice of Bourbon Creams, Custard Creams, Shortbread, Ginger Snaps, Digestives and (as we recently changed supplier), Jam Rings!

Whilst I’m partial to a Custard Cream, I am trying to watch what I eat and really don’t want three biscuits with a cup of coffee. Yes yes, I could eat them over the course of a few days but then you are faced with the prospect of having an opened pack of biscuits sitting on your desk, staring at you all day, demanding to be eaten, begging to be put out of their misery! The humanity!

So, of course, if I do take a packet of biscuits I eat all three. I am not a monster.

Like everything in life there is a hierarchy at play, and whilst you can argue about which biscuit is at the top of the pile (Custard Creams if you ask me!) there is no doubt that the lowly digestive is at the bottom of the.. er.. food chain.

Or is it? Time for a vote!