Techwhirl

TechWhirl’s First Twitter-View

Transcript from our Twitter-View with Alan Houser, Incoming STC President

Excited to announce our first Twitterview with @arh this Sunday! We’ll be talking about the future of #techcomm and @stc_org #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Final preparations for our #tcinterview with @arh … you can follow it on http://bit.ly/HegeJlTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Hi @arh, thanks for taking time to participate in our first Twitter #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Thanks, Al. It’s a privilege to talk to you today. I have some exciting things to share about #stcorg and #techcomm. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Our first question #tcinterview …TechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Is it true that the STC is now using the extra space on MySTC to store 1970 – This is our Year for Certification t-shirts? #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Few recall that STC launched its cert program in 1970. Today we have our first certified professionals, only 42 years later! #tcinterviewAlan Houser

BTW, “1970 – This is our Year for Certification!” t-shirts are now for sale, half off. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Half Off? That’s quite a deal! #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

It is a good deal. However, we only accept full payment up-front. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

I’ve heard there may be a move coming for #STC HQ – is this true? #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

At #stcorg, we’re always looking to improve efficiencies. Headquarters location is no exception. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

In February I was in Montreal. Great city, great people. So I said, “Why not move STC Headquarters here?”. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Montreal is a great city, good people … let’s move on to politics #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

" @arh you’ve been STC Vice President for 11 months, and will become STC President in May. Any surprises? #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Lots of insights, Al. For one, the security code to unlock the #stcorg office door forms an interesting pattern. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

As a leader in the STC, do you have any advice for technical communication professionals? #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

My advice for technical communicators? Make sure all of your work is pretty. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

[silence] #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Any near-term predictions for the profession? #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Companies will scramble in 2012 to ship docs. As most of our members have gone “strategic", nobody actually writes anymore. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Oh, and by the way, in 5 years we’ll all be using XML. I’ve been saying that since 1998. It’s as true now as it was then. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

I hear there are some changes coming in STC Publications. #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Yes, STC Intercom is going to become Twitter-only. 140-char limit for articles. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Wow, Intercom goes Twitter-only that’s quite a change. #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

That’s not all. The research-oriented STC Tech Comm Journal will feature peer-reviewed tweets! #tcinterviewAlan Houser

How will you handle references? Those are often lengthy. #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

“Dynamics in Document Design” by Karen Schriver @firstwren is an assumed reference for all STC peer-reviewed tweets. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Also “Cruel Pies” by Sam Dragga and Dan Voss. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Any other big announcements? #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

As STC is approaching its 60th anniversary, it’s time for a name change. Society for Tasting Chocolate. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Any regrets? #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

I wish I had become a plumber instead of a technical writer. At least people know what plumbers do for a living. #tcinterviewAlan Houser

name change – TechP-L #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

I know you’re busy updating your docs to rhyme thank you for your time in the sunshine. #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Yes – at STC, rhyming is the future of technical communication. http://notebook.stc.org/stc-announces-endeavor-to-encourage-technical-communication-to-rhyme/ #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Just got a note from @arh , turns out interview was conducted by @AdobeTCS ’s new HelpRobo assistant. http://bit.ly/H7BTpe #tcinterviewTechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Thanks for dialing into our first Twitter-interview! Go back to work! Nothing to see here. #tcinterview Thanks to @arh for his time!TechWhirl (Techwr-l)

Thanks to Al Martine, @techwritertoday, for hosting today’s twitter interview! #tcinterviewAlan Houser

Old Battles Renewed

Previously covered up story of the argument and subsequent fisticuffs between Microsoft Manual of Style and Chicago Manual of Style Representatives finally leaked.  Representatives from those companies, WritersUA and TechWhirl all shook up

News Update: Rumble in the Jungle Room – Tech Comm News – TechWhirlOn March 14, 2012, officers from the Memphis Police Department, Raines Station responded to a call to 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd (Graceland)…

Big Day for Software Releases, Research and Tools

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Associations Release information on Research or Decide to find Answers

STC Announces Rhyming to Remember – Tech Comm News – TechWhirlThe Society for Technical Communication (STC) announced today a new endeavor to encourage companies and corporations to create technical …

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TechWhirl Moves into Audio Books

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RT @aschwanden4stc: About time. Some serious inroads being made in mobile learning. Pick up a thing or two from the advances made here: http://techwhirl.com/articles/microsoft-manual-of-style/Eric Wright

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and into news (this one is real) Tech Comm News by TechWhirl

Moderator for Tech Writer List (TECHWR-L) Releases New Certification Program

TechWhirl Launches Pre-Post Certification Program | TechWhirlIn an effort to improve the quality, quantity and relevance of technical communications community discussions, TechWhirl today announces …

Leaders from the Industry Provide Guidance on old Problems

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We want to thank Adobe Systems, Vasont Systems, XML Press, Thirty-Six Software, ComponentOne [Doc-to-Help Gang], Publishing Smarter and STC for their awesome contributions.  Writing Diva Cheryl Voloshin and Julie Vaughn, Craig Cardimon for their great writing and voice over skills.  An extra-special thank you to Bernard Aschwanden (Publishing Smarter) for being the sole instigator of this entire thing. Bernard pushed TechWhirl to do these things often against our will and using the Jedi Mind Trick to force us to press publish (note this last sentence Microsoft lawyers) on these pieces. ;)