Infoplus October 2016

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For any queries, please reach out to [email protected] @2016 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. ISTC news...... 2 + Business affiliate news...... 9 InfoPlus Industry and general news...... 12 Blog news...... 14 Training courses...... 15 October 16 Events listings...... 20 Upcoming webinars...... 25

The ISTC is the United Kingdom’s professional association for scientific and technical communicators, which includes authors, illustrators and information ISTC news designers. TCUK16, a report ISTC Office: Airport House, + Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey By Louise Fahey, InfoPlus editor CR0 0XZ Last month I had the opportunity to attend After rehydrating and Tel: +44 (0)20 8253 4506 Fax: +44 (0)20 8253 4510 my first ever TCUK conference. This was getting over my two Email: [email protected] made even more exciting as I attended hour drive, it was Web: www.istc.org.uk the conference as a speaker. Below is my time to attend some This monthly Newsletter is emailed to about 1500 account of TCUK16. of the workshops that were offered people. As well as ISTC TCUK16 kicked off on Tuesday 13th news, InfoPlus+ aims to on the first day of September, the UK’s hottest September day cover anything of interest TCUK16. Workshops to the profession. To in 105 years. Delegates from all over the provided a more subscribe, contact the UK, and even the world, braved the heat office. in-depth and often as they made their way to Wyboston Lakes Advertising: Felicity Davie hands-on approach to Executive Centre, located midway between Editorial: Newsletter Editor some important tech Letters: Letters Editor Cambridge and Milton Keynes. Events: Events Editor comms topics. Blogs: Blogs Editor Upon arrival, delegates and speakers Louise Fahey in her presentation “Mapping your path in tech Fringe meetings took comms: Surviving the early years” If you’re reading a printed were met by Elaine Cole who made sure place at the end copy of this newsletter, everybody received a lanyard and goodie go to www.istc.org.uk/ of each day’s sessions and included a networking event for ISTC bag. Elaine also pointed people in the our-publications/infoplus- members, a talk on the ISTC mentoring scheme, and another talk on newsletter/ and open it direction of the refreshments, which were in managing stress. I attended the networking event which I found very online to explore the links constant supply for the duration of TCUK. mentioned. enjoyable. And not just because of the wine engagement from audience members and that was included! some interesting discussions took place. One of the things I particularly enjoyed I gained a lot of practical information from about TCUK16 was chatting with the TCUK16. conference sponsors who were there each Complexity made clear Winning project management solutions

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Delegates networking www.3di-info.com The Edissero team minus their bowl of chocolates! TCUK16 also helped me to gain more day with stands presenting tech comms confidence in myself. Before TCUK16, I This year’s Gala Dinner went down well services and technologies. It was a great dreaded public speaking. However, my with everyone. A three course dinner was opportunity to meet with important providers presentation was so well received and served, preceded by a drinks reception, and and speak to industry experts all in one feedback so positive, that I can’t wait entertainment afterwards in the form of a place. It was also a great place to go if you to sign up to speak again next year! quiz and then a band. I felt particularly lucky wanted a chocolate fix thanks to Edissero I would again like to thank everyone that night as I was a member of the winning and their never-ending bowl of chocolates! who attended my presentation and quiz team! The quality of presentations was supported me. In particular, my wonderful The ISTC’s AGM took place on the excellent too. Presenters were not only presentation facilitator Erin Vang of Dolby Wednesday and seemed well attended. knowledgeable about their topics, but they Laboratories, who herself gave two excellent It was good to see so many members were also enthusiastic too. There was strong presentations at TCUK16. supporting the Institute.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 3 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. “The Spring 2015 issue of Communicator is The award-winning quarterly possibly one of journal from the ISTC. the best I've seen yet.” Online Claire Wood “Thank you again for The Gala Dinner Print le�ng me be one of your Whether or not you made it to TCUK16 authors. It is a true privilege.” this year, you can keep up with post- Member Maxwell Hoﬀmann www.istc.org.uk conference information on the website: www.technicalcommunicationuk.com. There’ll be more stories in InfoPlus+ too. If Peter Anghelides accepts the you didn’t get to the conference at all, you ISTC’s Horace Hockley Award should definitely try harder next year! It’s an excellent opportunity to network with, Peter Anghelides, current Outreach & and hear presentations from, tech comms Publicity Officer for IBM UK Laboratories, experts at the top of their game. has been selected by the ISTC Council as the 2016 winner of the Horace Hockley Award. The Horace Hockley Award recognises outstanding contributions to the field of technical communication over many years. ISTC President Alison Peck presented the award to Peter at the TCUK16 Gala Erin Vang, PMP in her presentation “Rockstars, not typists! Expanding your influence in tech organizations” Dinner, stating that the presentation was “in recognition of all the work you have done in promoting the value and practice Derek Cooper, TCUK16 Conference Chair

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 4 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. of technical communication, particularly Peter has also written more than two dozen TCUK 2016 attendance and the ISTC CPD through engagement with universities novels, audio plays, and short stories for the Scheme and other external organisations, and the popular series of Doctor Who, Blake’s 7, and The ISTC’s CPD scheme, which is mentoring of countless new and less- Torchwood spin-off publications. In addition, mandatory for Fellows and is recommended experienced members of our profession.” he gave the Opening Keynote presentation for Members, is output-based. This means at the first TCUK conference in 2009. that any professional activity you take part in Speaking about being selected as the 2016 - including TCUK 2016 - only counts towards Horace Hockley Award winner, Peter said: your CPD if you explain what you gained “I am very honoured by this award. In our from the activity in your personal reflective business, we all welcome feedback about CPD record. our work - and I am delighted to receive this peer recognition from fellow professionals in Halloween short story competition the technical communication industry.” For more information about the Horace Hockey Award, including past recipients, see: www.istc.org.uk/professional- Peter Anghelides receiving the Horace Hockley Award from development-and-recognition/istc-awards/ ISTC President Alison Peck. horace-hockley-award/.

Peter has spent a number of years leading Attendance certificates for TCUK Are you a budding short story writer at much of IBM’s talent management and 2016 heart? Do you love a good ghost or horror acquisition programmes, particularly story? through engagement with universities. Please contact the ISTC Office (istc@ He started his IBM career in 1988 as an istc.org.uk) if you would like to receive The ISTC Community is running its first ever information developer, and subsequently an attendance certificate for TCUK 2016. short story competition this Autumn, with a held technical communication roles in Please let the office know if you’d be happy £50 cash prize. translation management, line management, to receive the certificate as a PDF document Since Halloween is fast on the approach we and two IBM assignments as worldwide (preferable for us, as it save postage costs) thought it would be fitting to have this as Operations Manager for the IBM Directors or if you need to have a printed certificate the theme. Stories featuring ghosts, goblins, of Client Content, Globalization, and User sent to you. ghouls, vampires and all that’s in between Experience Design. are welcome.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 5 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. Entries must be a maximum of 2,200 words of sharing knowledge and tips. I’d strongly team, or started using a new software tool, and must be received by midnight Friday recommend ISTC members to come along you can easily feel a bit lost from time to 21st of October 2016. Entries cost £3 for to the Discussions Forum and check it out time. You may be surrounded by people who ISTC members (please quote your ISTC for themselves.” appear to know everything while you feel membership number on entry) and £5 for If you would like to ask Louise a question, like you’re stuck on the basics. You’d like to non-ISTC members (the price will be set log on to the Discussion Forums section of ask a question (or several questions) but you automatically for you, make sure you are the ISTC website on Monday 10 October. don’t know where to start or who to ask. logged in if you are a member). See here You will see a new post, introducing her and When we held a fringe meeting about the for more information: www.istc.org.uk/our- inviting questions. Our “Ask Me Anything” ISTC Mentoring Scheme at TCUK 2016, we community/short-story-competition/. sessions are forum posts, rather than live discussed what help the ISTC could offer sessions and over the course of the day or to people who were feeling like newbies Return of our “Ask Me Anything” even week, Louise will respond to questions (including people who felt like newbies on sessions posed. There isn’t a closing date or time, but one specific topic, even though they had questions added days or weeks later may some experience in other areas). A special wait longer for a response. forum area was suggested, somewhere where there was no such thing as as silly Volunteers wanted question, and where every question would If you would like to volunteer for one of our get a polite and respectful, as well as The ISTC’s “Ask Me Anything” sessions are “Ask Me Anything” sessions, we would love informative, answer. + back! To kick us off, we have InfoPlus copy to hear from you! You can volunteer with a We’re delighted to be launching the Newbie editor Louise Fahey joining us in October. colleague and/or opt for “anything” to be Forum, and we hope that anyone who does Fresh from speaking at TCUK, Louise is limited to a particular field. Please email feel a bit new or uncertain about something happy to answer questions on topics such Cecily Roberts on cecily.techauthor@gmail. in their tech comm work or career will be as career development, studying technical com for more details. able to ask their question. We also hope that + writing in Limerick, the role of InfoPlus those members who may have a little more copy editor, MadCap Flare, usability, and New ISTC Forum for all your experience in a particular area will be willing Agile practices. Newbie questions! to answer - politely and respectfully and In her own words: “After speaking at TCUK, It can be difficult when you’re new (or as informatively, of course! I feel far more confident about answering they say in tech circles, a “newbie”). If you’re Look out for the new Newbie Forum, and questions from my peers in an AMA session. just starting your career, or if you’ve just please take part. I think the AMA sessions are a great way changed to a new career, or joined a new

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 6 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. technical author.” The audience gave some ISTC local area and very useful feedback. special interest groups Thames Valley Area Group next The ISTC area groups offer an opportunity meeting for technical communicators to network and The group will be meeting at the Bird-in- share knowledge and expertise. The groups Hand, Knowl Hill on Tuesday 4th October are open to everyone from all industries in and we will have a general discussion on the local area (you don’t even need to be an what we all learnt at TCUK 2016. Please note ISTC member to attend), and it’s free. The that we will be meeting at the Bird-in-Hand groups meet at intervals during the year and in Knowle Hill for the foreseeable future hold talks, peer discussions, demonstrations as our usual venue is closing on Tuesday and social evenings. Special interest groups evening. give you an opportunity to meet people in your own industry. All are welcome – you don’t need to be an ISTC member. If you would like to Thames Valley Area Group meeting attend, please register via Eventbrite report using the following link: https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/istc-thames-valley- From Darren Mitcham area-group-meeting-4th-october-2016- At the September Thames Valley meeting, tickets-27603333313. Darren Mitcham gave a sneak preview of The organiser for the event is Darren his TCUK presentation “It all started with Mitcham who may be contacted by email: Some members of the ISTC Thames Valley area group BS4884 - the colleagues, courses and copy [email protected]. enjoying TCUK16 that characterised my 20 year career as a

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 7 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. Current ISTC local area groups ISTC groups on LinkedIn Contact your nearest area or special interest group on the email The ISTC has a number of LinkedIn groups for its shown below. If you’re interested in setting up either an area group members. Have you joined the relevant groups? or a special interest group, please contact our area groups manager ■■ Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators Tom Dumic at: [email protected]. www.linkedin.com/groups/1858546 Area groups: ■■ ISTC Community www.linkedin.com/groups/8440733 Name Leader Email Contact Details Cambridge Derek Cooper or [email protected] England Jeff Bronks ■■ Cambridge Technical Communicators www.linkedin.com/ Central South Co-ordinator wanted [email protected] groups/1805651 East of Scotland George Lewis [email protected] ■■ London – N/A Irish Technical Patrice Fanning [email protected] Writers Yvonne Cleary, ■■ ISTC Midlands Area Group Bridget Walsh www.linkedin.com/groups/4835591 ISTC Irish Group Adrian Rush [email protected] ■■ North East England – N/A London Bridget Rooney [email protected] Midlands John Burns [email protected] ■■ ISTC NW England www.linkedin.com/groups/2445779 North East England Janine Weightman [email protected] ■■ Southern Area Group www.linkedin.com/groups/4795279 North West England David Jones [email protected] ■■ ISTC South West England www.linkedin.com/groups/8269000 Northern Ireland Alex Mansell [email protected] Southern Marjorie Jones [email protected] ■■ Thames Valley Area Group www.linkedin.com/groups/4805266 South West Co-ordinator wanted [email protected] ■■ Yorkshire – www.linkedin.com/groups/4662452 South Wales John Espirian [email protected] Thames Valley Darren Mitcham [email protected] Wales West of Scotland Charles Addison [email protected] ■■ South Wales Group www.linkedin.com/groups/5161265 Yorkshire Emma Sheridan [email protected]

Special interest groups: A plea: if you know you’re not going to be able to attend a meeting Name Leader Email Contact Details that you’ve registered for, could you please contact the organiser, even if it is at short notice. MadSIG Marjorie Jones, Tom Bridley [email protected] Kai Weber

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 8 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. Scotland ■■ East of Scotland – N/A Business affiliate news ■■ West of Scotland Area Group Double win for 3di at TCUK 2016 www.linkedin.com/groups/5081412 The TCUK Conference, organised by the ISTC, is the largest event Ireland in the UK for technical communication practitioners, managers and ■■ ISTC Irish Group – N/A client organisations. It also attracts 3di and other services and tools ■■ Irish Technical Writers--An ISTC Area Group companies as exhibitors and sponsors. 3di has been attending www.linkedin.com/groups/3369559 since 2002 and exhibiting since 2003. Many of our customers and freelance resources are regular attendees, and the 3di team Special interest group members who attend always learn a huge amount from the sessions ■■ MadCap UK and Europe Users Group and from talking with the other delegates. www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=5081593 This year’s highlights ISTC Community online included Sarah Richards’ keynote The ISTC Community has its own digital presence in social media about how she led networks including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Following these a team of jargon networks you’ll be able to keep up to date with news, events, area busters for the .gov. group developments and other community activities. uk content team, our Facebook: www.facebook.com/istccommunity. former colleague Twitter: @istc_community. Liz Gregory briefing about how to grapple LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8440733. with terminology, and Simon Anstey of SAP Using Eventbrite to register attendance at area group meetings Managing Director of 3di Paul Ballard receiving an award describing how his Some area group meetings are posted on Eventbrite and where from ISTC President Alison Peck team had found ways this is the case, we asked anyone expecting to attend to register to demonstrate the online using this event management service. You can see a business value of their list of ISTC related events by visiting: www.eventbrite.com/ work. org/495786380.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 9 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. 3di also had some excellent recognition for immersion in the world of technical Customer Journey Mapping and our customer work: two of our customer communication for her, but she is hopefully technical communication projects were recognised in the UK Technical well equipped now to start spreading the Communication Awards. An animation word about our expertise to technology By Ellis Pratt, Director and Help Strategist at video for Vodafone won a merit award in companies in Krakow and Poland. Paul, Cherryleaf and TCUK16 speaker the ‘Conceptual Information’ category, Ballard, Rachel Potts, Malveen Mangat A technical communicator’s lot is usually to and a quick start user guide we developed and Katrina Butler also attended, and Kat create content for helping users, and, if they with our friends at Doc Department won a will be publishing an article in the ISTC’s are lucky, do some user testing of it in order merit award in the ‘Procedural Information’ Communicator Journal about her TCUK to make future improvements. It is not that category. experience. common for them to be able to look at the bigger picture and think about how the user gets to that information in the first place. Customer Journey Mapping is an extremely useful way to understand and improve the customer experience. It involves creating a document (often a spreadsheet) that describes the user experience from their perspective. It can record each point at which interact with your service or product, the quality of that experience, and what happens next. Customer Journey Mapping is something Rachel Potts, Head of Technical Communication and Head Agata Mos, Business Development Manager at 3di we carried out recently for a client, and it of Research and Development at 3di, and Paul Ballard, was a topic that came up at the TCUK 2016 Managing Director of 3di conference, in the presentations by both Sarah Richards and Simon Anstey. Five of the 3di team attended this Our client is a start-up Software as a Service year, including our shiny new business company that is growing rapidly. They development manager for the Poland are creating new products, gaining new business Agata Mos. It was a deep customers, and they are having to face all

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 10 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. the challenges that brings. We mapped the government websites into the single gov. Adobe to follow up TCUK16 journey of a user who wanted to install the uk site. They kept 45,000 pages, and culled workshop with interactive webinar product. We used a spreadsheet to record 92,000. This process started with user each stage and any issues or problems needs, and were designed around those The following information appears on the that users came across. The user began at customer journeys. Adobe website at: https://2016-10-04-tcuk- the company’s website, where there were techcomm-think-tank.meetus.adobeevents. In Simon Anstey’s (of SAP) presentation, on com/. various links for installing the application, eliminating Support tickets, he described including instructions on how to do that. It how he looked at the customer journey for This webinar is part of a research project revealed there was confusion between the raising a Support ticket, and collaborated developed by The Transformation Society product available on Amazon Web Services with SAP’s customer support team to and Adobe Technical Communication and the product clients install in-house. improve the documentation, and links that continues their ongoing partnership This was because the same, or similar, to useful information, for some critical to seek deeper understanding about the terms were used to describe the products products. This stemmed the flow of support technological developments that are offering themselves and the features contained tickets. They estimated the resultant cost new horizons to the content industries. within the products. On some pages, users savings and started gaining management’s The technologies associated with Industry were directed to the Support desk system interest. This activity meant they could show 4.0 promise to change the way we do and the articles contained there. On other what value documentation was adding. business and the way we live. How will pages, they were directed to PDFs, which they affect the generation and delivery of described how to install the previous version Customer Journey Mapping can be technical information? Will we need to be of the product. There were also a few pages revelatory in revealing issues that may not thinking more about continuous updating that took them to the online Help system. be obvious at first glance. and delivery? Will the connectivity of the The Customer Journey map made it easy to To read the article in full, including links, see: Internet of Things mean that some technical change the website so it directs users to the https://www.cherryleaf.com/blog/2016/09/ information will be transmitted from machine single place for information, and to remove customer-journey-mapping-and-technical- to machine without being read by humans? duplicate, and out of date, information. communication/. When our mobiles know fine data about In Sarah Richards’s presentation at TCUK each one of us and our immediate context 2016, she described the approach the state, how will they choose the information Government Digital Service took when we receive, and who will decide the they developed the Gov.uk. website. GDS algorithms? removed content that didn’t address those needs, and consolidated hundreds of

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 11 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. This webinar is one element of a transmedia Information Design and Development apart. event that began with a workshop at the “The people that helped design this course 2016 Technical Communications UK (TCUK) are all people working in the industry. As well in Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre as our connections with external companies, conference last month, and continues we also had input from Dr Donna O’ Shea, afterwards. We’ll “probe our future” lecturer in the Department of Computer to explore these imminent challenges, Science here at CIT, who previously worked opportunities, and solutions for information at IBM for a number of years. Donna is very needs that we cannot yet predict, or even Collaboration with industry experts passionate about DITA and brought much imagine. Speaking to InfoPlus+, course director Dr of what she learnt at IBM into her work as The webinar is highly interactive, and we Seán McSweeney from the Department of a lecturer. So she already knew quite a bit invite you to participate with us in this Computing in CIT said: “The motivation for which was a great help when designing the experience, and then to join us online where setting up the MSc came from the strong programme.” we’ll continue the discussion for two days, demand for information development skills culminating in a real-time Twitter chat where in Ireland. We connected with a number of Three elements to the course we will all explore some key ideas further. the big tech companies that are based here According to Dr Donna O’ Shea, the in Cork to find out the barriers they were MSc has three very strong elements Industry and general facing when it came to hiring information running through it: the technical aspect developers. of information development, including DITA, XML, multimedia, and emerging news Last year we ran a pilot project online technologies, the project management through virtual desktops. We received great aspect, and the English language aspect. Cork Institute of Technology feedback and it was from here that we offering flexible learning options developed the MSc. We collaborated again “At CIT we recognise that information in new MSc in Information with industry experts from Tyco, EMC, VCE, developers don’t just need skills in humanities and language. They also need Development and Design VMware, TWi, IBM, Bárd Na Gleann, and Intel Security to name a few, to determine technical skills. If you look at any of the Last month Cork Institute of Technology the course content and what the learning companies we’ve worked with to design the (CIT) welcomed the first intake of students outputs should be.” course, IBM, Tyco, EMC, etc., their technical onto its new MSc in Information Design and writers all work with complex systems. By Development. Dr McSweeney believes it is this involvement providing students with an understanding of of industry experts that sets the MSc in

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 12 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. Technical Writers, Content Developers and Documentation Teams Worldwide Use MadCap Flare

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Copyright © 2016, MadCap Software, Inc., and its licensors. All rights reserved. MadCap Software, the MadCap Software logo, and MadCap Flare are trademarks or registered trademarks of MadCap Software, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. Other marks are the properties of their respective owners. the framework that these systems are built According to Tim Horgan, Head of the on, they will be better-placed to understand Department of Computing at CIT, the MSc in Blog news the systems as a whole. Information Design and Development offers By Ginny Critcher huge flexibility to learners. As well as technical knowledge, we also Hello everyone. Here is this month’s blog provide students with skills in project “It is delivered online and students can round up for you. management. These skills will help them access lecture materials 24/7, anywhere in throughout their careers to successfully plan the world using CIT’s state of the art Cloud Cherryleaf’s Ellis Pratt posts on the and manage projects that require technical based platform. All lectures are recorded Microsoft’s HoloLens googles used by documentation. and can be played back at a later stage. Our Thyssenkrupp staff to help diagnose and repair lifts: In addition, we recognise the need for strong platform also has built-in forums which allow English language skills which is why we learners to interact with one another. These https://www.cherryleaf.com/ provide modules, such as our Information forums are constantly monitored by lecturers blog/2016/09/9450/?utm_ Experience module, that are delivered by who are on hand to provide assistance when source=feedburner&utm_ non-technical lecturers.” required. medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ This flexible method of online delivery also CherryleafTechnicalAuthorsBlog+%28Cher Flexible learning means that lecturers can also be based ryleaf+Technical+Authors+Blog%29. The MSc has been designed to allow globally. One such lecturer is Dr James The Content Wrangler explores transcreation learners take the progamme in three stages: O’ Sullivan who works at the University of and why adapting translated content for ■■ Stage 1: Certificate in Information Design Sheffield in the UK.” effectiveness is a necessary part of a & Development Although the course is new, it is already successful global strategy: ■■ Stage 2: Postgraduate Diploma in proving popular. There are currently 18 http://thecontentwrangler. Information Design & Development students enrolled on the course and com/2016/08/29/transcreation-adapting- according to Tim: “We intend to look at translated-content/. ■■ Stage 3: Master of Science in Information the demand for places on the programme Design & Development and then we have a year to respond to that Learners can sign up for stage one or all demand.” three. If they sign up for the Certificate For more information on the MSc in or Postgraduate Diploma, they have the Information Design and Development, see: option of coming back at a later stage and http://computing.cit.ie/msc-in-information- completing the next level up. design.programme-overview1.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 14 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. Tom Johnson writes about implementing Do you have a blog? Let Ginny know so she swagger in your API documentation: can include it in her monthly review. Simply Training courses email [email protected]. http://idratherbewriting.com/2016/09/08/ If you know of a training course that will be of interest to swagger-article-for-istc-publication/?utm_ readers, please let us know. You can send details by email Ginny has a background as a skilled trainer source=feedburner&utm_ to [email protected]. Please try to give us and information designer, and is responsible plenty of notice. The deadline for receiving information for + medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ for the development of Cherryleaf’s training InfoPlus is 24th of the month preceding publication. TomJohnson+%28I%27d+Rather+Be+Wri If you would like to promote your course or event to ISTC courses. In addition to her skills in information members, why not consider giving ISTC members a ting%29. design, she has over twenty years discount for courses and events listed in our newsletter. Bill Swallow looks at making localization experience in teaching and training For more information, please email [email protected]. Listings are restricted to scheduled courses that are low “better”: throughout the world. She is Cherryleaf’s representative to the cost or are in some way unusual. Listings are a service to members. A listing does not imply www.scriptorium.com/2016/09/making- Institute of Scientific and Technical ISTC endorsement. localization-better/. Communicators (ISTC). Courses run by ISTC Business Affiliates that are notified to us by the deadline for inclusion in A new site from Anne Gentle: InfoPlus+ will be listed. For others, we cannot guarantee listing if space is limited and details http://docslikecode.com/articles/. Technical Communicators may be abridged. Permanent, Contract and Kin Lane the API Evangelist discusses the Armada, MadCap and Cherryleaf are Interim Vacancies ISTC Business Affiliates. state of API documentation solutions: http://apievangelist.com/2016/09/16/a- www.cliffordsells.com MadCap training look-at-the-state-of-api-documentation- Technical Communicatio n for Business For details of the latest MadCap Software Recruiting · Outsourcing · Consulting solutions/. Training Schedule (Web- and On-site): www. Contact Mark Clifford Sarah Chambers liveblogged from the Write call: +44 (0)1234 355522 or madcapsoftware.com/services/training/. The Docs conference: email: [email protected] Upcoming Webinars https://docs.google.com/ www.madcapsoftware.com/resources/ document/d/1Mr0vYuk6yP-OybDTQ_ livewebinars.aspx. Zs1vBQsg7LxqlweM_oppJZVqw/edit#. Flare 12 Reviews and Customer Reaction www.madcapsoftware.com/flare12/reviews- testimonials.aspx.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 15 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. October 11 Cherryleaf’s policies and proce- 13-14 Introduction to Adobe Captivate dures writing course This course teaches everything 10-11 Simplified Technical English This course teaches your staff you need to create professional Course how to write clear and effective standard e-learning tutorials and A practical introduction for those policies and procedures, in a high quality demos. who will use Simplified Technical straightforward and efficient way. It 10% discount for ISTC members. English. The course introduces is popular with staff from charities Armada, Reading. the philosophy of, explains the and the NHS, although it will underlying grammatical principles benefit many writers of policies and www.armada.co.uk/captivate- and gives delegates opportunities procedures. training-course. to use Simplified Technical English Cherryleaf at our training centre in 13-14 Introduction to Adobe Photoshop in practical exercises. These central London (WC2). exercises can be based on your Learn how to create and edit https://www.cherryleaf.com/ images using the de facto standard company’s documentation. training/procedures-writing- 10% discount for ISTC members. in the graphics industry. Techniques courses-beginner-and-advanced/. covered include colour correction, Mekon Ltd. Sutton, Surrey, UK / working with layers, compositing On-site / Remote 12-13 Introduction to Adobe Illustrator images and preparing images for http://tinyurl.com/z5gg9ya. Provides you with the essential use on the Web. knowledge you need to create 10% discount for ISTC members. shapes, work with type and layers 10-11 Introduction to Adobe InDesign Armada, Bromsgrove. Provides a comprehensive and apply effects and styles, giving introduction to the capabilities of you the basics to build on. www.armada.co.uk/photoshop- InDesign, including setting up new 10% discount for ISTC members. training-course. documents, shapes, frames and Armada, Milton Keynes. InDesign’s most popular features. www.armada.co.uk/illustrator- 10% discount for ISTC members. training-course. Armada, Milton Keynes. www.armada.co.uk/indesign- training-course.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 16 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. ...October 20 Advanced technical writing & 24-26 Basic and Intermediate MadCap new trends in technical commu- Flare 17-18 Introduction to Adobe InDesign nication training Teaches how to use Flare to create Provides a comprehensive Discover the advanced new writing a working help project with media- introduction to the powerful styles emerging in technical rich content and full navigation capabilities of InDesign, including communication by attending features. You learn how to work setting up new documents, shapes, Cherryleaf’s popular training efficiently and effectively with Flare, frames and using InDesign’s most course. becoming familiar with features popular features. Central London, WC2R including variables, conditional text 10% discount for ISTC members. https://www.cherryleaf.com/ and multi-format publishing. Armada, Bromsgrove. training/trends-in-technical- 10% discount for ISTC members. www.armada.co.uk/indesign- communication-workshop- Armada, Reading. training-course. advanced-technical-writing- www.armada.co.uk/madcap-flare- techniques/. training-course. 17-19 Introduction to Adobe RoboHelp Course for beginners, teaches how 20-21 Introduction to Adobe Illustrator to use RoboHelp to create online Provides you with the essential help in most knowledge you need to create popular formats. shapes, work with type and layers and apply effects and styles, giving 10% discount for ISTC members. you the basics to build on. Armada, Reading. 10% discount for ISTC members. www.armada.co.uk/robohelp- Armada, Bromsgrove. training-course. www.armada.co.uk/illustrator- training-course.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 17 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. ...October November 7-8 Introduction to Adobe InDesign Provides a comprehensive 24-28 Technical Authoring Training 3-4 Introduction to Adobe Illustrator introduction to the powerful Programme Provides you with the essential capabilities of InDesign, including Comprises: knowledge you need to create setting up new documents, shapes, • Introduction to technical shapes, work with type and layers frames and using InDesign’s most authoring (1 day) and apply effects and styles, giving popular features. • Intermediate technical authoring you the basics to build on. 10% discount for ISTC members. (2 days) 10% discount for ISTC members. Armada, Reading. • Advanced technical authoring Armada, Reading. armada.co.uk/indesign-training- (2 days) armada.co.uk/illustrator-training- course. Training in core technical authoring course. skills for new and experienced technical authors. 9-10 Introduction to Adobe Captivate 7-8 Introduction to Adobe Photoshop This course teaches everything Attend the complete programme, or Learn how to create and edit you need to create professional just the module(s) relevant to your images using the de facto standard standard e-learning tutorials and experience. in the graphics industry. Techniques high 10% discount for ISTC members. covered include colour correction, quality demos. Armada, Bromsgrove. working with layers, compositing 10% discount for ISTC members. www.armada.co.uk/technical- images and preparing images for Armada, Bromsgrove. author-training-course. use on the Web. 10% discount for ISTC members. armada.co.uk/captivate-training- course. Armada, Milton Keynes. armada.co.uk/photoshop-training- course.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 18 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. ...November Attend the complete programme, or Online training courses just the module(s) relevant to your 9-10 Introduction to Adobe Photoshop experience. Cherryleaf Learn how to create and edit 10% discount for ISTC members. WriteLessons, our new training product, images using the de facto standard Armada, Reading. provides you with access to a range of in the graphics industry. Techniques online courses in technical communication armada.co.uk/technical-author- covered include colour correction, http://cherryleaf.teachable.com/. training-course. working with layers, compositing We also offer online training courses in: images and preparing images for use on the Web. 24-25 Introduction to Adobe Photoshop Technical Author/Technical Writing Learn how to create and edit 10% discount for ISTC members. online training course https://www. images using the de facto standard cherryleaf.com/training/technical- Armada, Reading. in the graphics industry. Techniques author-basicinduction-training- armada.co.uk/photoshop-training- covered include colour correction, course/. course. working with layers, compositing images and preparing images for DITA fundamentals 21-25 Technical Authoring Training use on the Web. https://www.cherryleaf.com/ Programme 10% discount for ISTC members. training/dita-training-courses-in- ISTC-accredited programme Armada, Bromsgrove. london/. comprising: armada.co.uk/photoshop-training- • Introduction to technical course. Single sourcing and content re- authoring (1 day) use training course • Intermediate technical authoring https://www.cherryleaf.com/ (2 days) training/cherryleafs-single- • Advanced technical authoring sourcing-and-content-reuse- (2 days) training-course/. Training in core technical authoring skills for new and experienced Introduction to Content Strategy technical authors. course https://www.cherryleaf.com/ training/introduction-to-content- strategy-1-day-training-course/. © ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 19 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. Firehead 5-7 Content Strategy Forum Events listings Over three days, we’ll hear from Learn FrameMaker 2015 some of the best in the world in If you know of an event that will be of interest to http://firehead.net/training/learn- readers, please let us know. You can send details their field. We’ll learn what content framemaker-2015/. by email to [email protected]. Please try to give strategy really is, how it can us plenty of notice. The deadline for receiving improve the customer experience + ESTON Training information for InfoPlus is 24th of the month and how collaborating is pivotal to preceding publication. success. Technical/Commercial Author- You can also find information using the online event Melbourne, Australia calendar at: www.istc.org.uk/calendar/ ship (Former ISTC Syllabus Parts http://csforum2016.com/. 1 & 2) www.estontrg.com/ October technicalcommercial-authorship/. 4 Thames Valley Area Group 6-7 MobiConf Meeting Mobiconf is connecting people We will have a general discussion from all over the world. It is a on what we all learned at TCUK. place, where mobile developers, All are welcome and if you would project managers, UI/UX designers like to attend, please register via and speakers can learn about Eventbrite. Hyperlinks disclaimer mobile technology and spend time The Bird in Hand Country Inn, The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute together. endorsement by the ISTC of the linked websites, or the Knowl Hill, Reading at 19.30. Krakow, Poland information, products or services contained on those sites. All external hyperlinks were accurate and working at the time of https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ http://2016.mobiconf.org/. writing. However, the ISTC does not exercise any editorial control istc-thames-valley-area-group- over the information you may find at these locations, so the ISTC cannot be responsible for changes to content found at these meeting-4th-october-2016- locations or any material on those sites that may be inaccurate, tickets-27603333313. misleading or offensive to you. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the ISTC and its Newsletter, and the ISTC disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and availability of any linked site. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate or inaccurate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 20 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. ...October 11-13 Atlassian Summit 2016 14-15 The Tech Comm Conference Join us for an epic week of training, 2 Days of Tech Comm Intensity 7 NUX5 - UX & Design Conference inspiring keynotes, breakout for Practitioners, Academics, NUX5 is an all-day event in sessions, and one awesome party. and Students. The Tech Comm Manchester focussed on how San Jose, CA (USA) Conference is being held in an understanding of people can https://www.atlassian.com/summit. partnership with the Writing help you define, design, and build Studies departments at the U. of better experiences, on the web Washington Tacoma. and beyond. With international 12-13 Conversion Conference Discover the latest strategies and University of Washington in speakers from some of the biggest Tacoma, WA (USA) digital brands, the day will provide a tactics around lead generation and conversion rate optimisation, http://conference.writersua.com/ wealth of practical experience you techcomm/. can apply right away. including meaningful data collection, A/B and multivariate Royal Northern College of Music, tests, personalisation, persuasion 18-19 Interact London Manchester techniques, cross-device UX and Interact London is a leading design http://2016.nuxconf.uk. more. conference that explores the roles London EC1A 4HD that digital design, user experience 10-13 International Conference on http://conversionconference.co.uk/. and information architecture play in Information Society (i-Society today’s society. This year’s theme 2016) - how will people interact with The i-Society 2016 is a global technology in the future and how knowledge-enriched collaborative will we design for it today? effort that has its roots from The British Museum, Great Russell both academia and industry. The Street, London conference covers a wide spectrum https://www.eventbrite. of topics that relate to information co.uk/e/interact-london-2016- society, which includes technical tickets-19313132098?utm_ and non-technical research areas. source=keycontent.org&utm_ Dublin, Ireland medium=calendar. www.i-society.eu.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 21 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. ...October 21 Design It; Build It (DIBI) – London 26 WebVisions DIBI attracts delegates from One of six WebVisions events in 18-19 Taxonomy Boot Camp London across the digital landscape, from 2016, exploring the future of design, More and more organisations are those leading digital businesses content creation, user experience recognising the value of taxonomies to the designers and developers and business strategy for an to drive their data, content and who make things happen. Social audience of designers, developers information processes. Join us at events and plenty of opportunities and industry leaders. the first ever Taxonomy Boot Camp to network make DIBI the perfect Berlin, Germany London. Whether you’re a first- place to make contacts. www.webvisionsevent.com/berlin/. timer, an established information The Royal Institution of Great professional, or a seasoned Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London taxonomist, there’s something for 26-28 LocWorld https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ you... LocWorld is the leading conference design-it-build-it-london- for international business, Olympia Conference Centre, tickets-21529689882?utm_ translation, localization and global London W18 8UX source=keycontent.org&utm_ website management. Attendees www.taxonomybootcamp.com/ medium=calendar. are the people responsible London/2016/. for communicating across the 25-28 LavaCon Conference Las Vegas boundaries of language and 18-19 World Usability Congress 2016 A multi-day conference for content culture in the global marketplace. It is its application-oriented, strategists, documentation The theme of the LocWorld32 economic and holistic approach managers, and marketing conference in Montreal is “Engaging that makes the World Usability professionals. LavaCon has grown Global Customer Congress one of a kind on a global from its technical communication Montreal, Canada scale. We talk about Usability, roots to include sessions on project https://locworld.com/events/ User Experience (UX) & Customer management, content strategy, UX, locworld32-montreal-2016/. Experience Management (CX). social media, mobile devices and Graz, Austria more. www.worldusabilitycongress.com. Las Vegas, NV (USA) http://lavacon.org/2016/vegas/.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 22 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. ...October 2-4 Adobe MAX—The Creativity Con- 7-10 Web Summit ference Web Summit has become “Europe’s 29 WebVisions The world’s premier creativity largest and most important One of six WebVisions events in conference, MAX is an awe- technology marketplace”, a 2016, exploring the future of design, inspiring mashup of over 9,000 of crossroads for the world’s largest content creation, user experience the world’s top creatives and best- buyers and sellers of technology, and business strategy for an in-the-business experts who come alongside many of the world’s most audience of designers, developers together to learn, share, create, disruptive emerging technology and industry leaders. connect and play. companies. Method, London E1 6JJ San Diego, CA (USA) Lisbon, Portugal www.webvisionsevent.com/london/. https://max.adobe.com/. https://websummit.net.

November 2-5 American Translators Associa- 8-10 tcworld Conference 2016 tion (ATA) 57TH Annual Confer- The tekom annual conference 2-4 Adobe DITA World 2016 – The ence together with the tcworld DITA Online Conference Whatever your role in the translation conference and tekom fair, is the From November 2 to November and interpreting industry, ATA57 largest global event and market- 4 we’re going to host the first is the place where dedicated place for technical communication. Adobe DITA World 2016 Online professionals come together to The tekom annual conference is an Conference. The program will offer expand their knowledge and their absolute must for all companies a wide range of topics, from high- network. that provide services and level strategic approaches to very San Francisco, CA (USA) software pertaining to technical practical sessions. Registration is http://www.atanet.org/conf/2016. communication. free. Stuttgart, Germany Online http://conferences.tekom.de/ https://2016-adobe-dita-world. tcworld16/tcworld16/. meetus.adobeevents.com/?utm_ source=keycontent.org&utm_ medium=calendar.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 23 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. ...November 14-16 Confab Higher Ed 2016 16 PDF Day Australia Confab’s higher ed event returns! Packed with 17 educational 13 DITA-OT Day 2016 The challenges facing higher ed sessions, PDF Day Australia is a This is a full day conference are really one-of-a-kind, and that’s do-not-miss event for business and dedicated to the DITA Open Toolkit why there’s an entire conference government professionals working project, DITA-OT which is the dedicated to your community. in document management and reference DITA implementation and Discover how colleges and accessibility technology and policy. the core of almost all DITA-based universities succeed with content Sydney, Australia publishing solutions. This free event strategy. www.pdfa.org/event/pdf-day- is brought to you by oXygen XML Philadelphia, PA (USA) australia-2016/. Editor with the help of a number of http://confabevents.com/ DITA-OT Day supporters. events/highered/2016?utm_ December Munich, Germany source=keycontent.org&utm_ https://www.oxygenxml.com/ medium=calendar. 7-9 India HCI 2016 events/2016/dita-ot_day.html. The next episode of India’s leading 16 Frontier Conf conference on human-computer 14-15 CMS/DITA Europe If you love every aspect of front- interaction, IndiaHCI will be hosted Join colleagues from around the end, which conference do you in IIT Bombay, Mumbai world for two days of career- choose? We couldn’t decide, so Mumbai, India empowering knowledge, practices, we made our own. This event http://indiahci2016.org/?utm_ networking, and practical solutions. covers topics related to front- source=keycontent.org&utm_ Those new to content management end, including: User Psychology medium=calendar. and/or DITA will find guidance for & Experience, design, style starting their journey, while for (CSS), development, future tech, experts, our program offers ways to typography and, importantly, continue pushing the boundaries. inspiration. Munich, Germany Skills Matter CodeNode,10 South https://ditaeurope. Place, London infomanagementcenter.com/. https://www.frontierconf.com/.

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 24 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. 4 Probing Our Future. Results of provide insights into four key Upcoming webinars Adobe & The Transformation So- areas that are transforming the ciety Think Tank at TCUK industry. If you know of an event that will be of interest to readers, please let us know. You can send details This webinar is one element of a Adobe by email to [email protected]. Please try to give transmedia event that began with https://2016-10-06-techcomm- us plenty of notice. The deadline for receiving a workshop at the 2016 Technical + survey.meetus.adobeevents.com/. information for InfoPlus is 24th of the month Communications UK (TCUK) in preceding publication. Wyboston Lakes Executive Centre 6 Boost the Power of MadCap conference earlier in the month, and Flare with Time-Saving Plugins continues afterwards. October In this webinar Thomas Bro- We’ll “probe our future” to explore Rasmussen, pluqin CEO and these imminent challenges, 4 Information Mapping: What is it? certified Flare instructor, gives opportunities, and solutions for Why use it? an overview of how a few simple information needs that we cannot Writing structured and consistent plugins can greatly enhance yet predict, or even imagine. documents can be difficult and productivity and save valuable time time-consuming. Information Adobe and effort. In addition, Thomas will Mapping® can make life much https://2016-10-04-tcuk-techcomm- discuss how the user can enhance easier! Look what it can do for your think-tank.meetus.adobeevents. their Flare projects with a hands-on documents! Learn more at our free com/. demo. webinar. MadCap Software Information Mapping International 6 A look ahead – The Future of https://www.madcapsoftware. www.informationmapping-webinars. Technical Communication com/demos/signup. com/webinar1/webinar-register.php. As Technical Communicators, aspx?id=1147378675351631023. it’s important to understand and stay on top of key trends as they shape the future of Technical Communications. Join us for a 30-minute interactive webinar where Abhishek Jain, Product Manager at Adobe Systems, will

© ISTC October 2016 This is the Newsletter for technical authors, technical illustrators and information designers. 25 InfoPlus+ is posted at www.istc.org.uk/our-publications/infoplus-newsletter/. ...October 18 RoboHelp 2015 – Part 2: Getting InfoPlus+ submission deadlines started with ExtendScript If you have an article or other content you want 11 RoboHelp 2015 – Part 1: Getting In this webinar, Willam van Weelden to submit for inclusion in InfoPlus+, please note started with ExtendScript will take your coding skills to the the following: In this webinar, Willam van Weelden next level. In Part 1 of this webinar For feature articles, press releases, affiliate news will introduce you to the wonderful block, Willam introduced the basic and other general content, please ensure your world of RoboHelp automation with concept of ExtendScript for Adobe submission arrives by 20th of the month prior to ExtendScript. In this live, hands- RoboHelp. This webinar takes those publication. For example, in the case of a June on webinar, Willam will show you concepts to the next level with publication, copy should arrive by 20 May. For ISTC news or event details, please ensure how to use the scripting feature more advanced scripts. your submission arrives by 24th of the month to automate repetitive tasks in This webinar is aimed at writers that prior to publication. For example, in the case RoboHelp. begin coding but want to get a little of a June publication, news should arrive Adobe more out of their scripts. by 24th May. Every effort is made to ensure that InfoPlus+ is published and distributed https://2016-10-11-robohelp- Online (Adobe) as early as possible in the month to which it extendscript.meetus.adobeevents. https://2016-10-18-robohelp- relates. However, last-minute entries, adverts com/. extendscript.meetus.adobeevents. or cancellations can result in an issue being com/. distributed up to a week into that month. Please bear this in mind when submitting time-sensitive information; especially if it concerns an event occurring in the first few days of the month.