As a Technical Writer, I sometimes ask people (like at a social event) “so, do you really document your internal processes and procedures at your workplace?” Most people say “Oh, sure, I document these things.” But, the truth is, I believe, that people shy away from composing quality documentation because they don’t think it matters [...]

Today’s world is changing in an unprecedented way. Only thirty years ago, the personal computer emerged, and at that time Bill Gates boldly stated “my purpose is to put a personal computer into each home”. Thirty years later, many people have two computers (a work computer and a personal computer) and also some kind of [...]

The value of information, especially quality and accurate information, is literally “immeasurable”. Why do I say this? It is because quality information helps individuals and organizations immensely. If there is a project that involves, for example, four people: a computer systems architect, a computer programmer, a program tester and a technical writer, it is important [...]

Over the past twelve years, in some way, I have participated in the development of user manuals for computer software.
It has been an enlightening experience and I feel like I have received an opportunity that perhaps was not necessarily available to others.
I first worked as a computer trainer in Brazil and then when I [...]

For those of you who do much file updating or create new files each day, today’s post is a simple reminder.
BACK UP YOUR MOST IMPORTANT FILES DAILY.
Do you know how hard it is to recreate a document? Let me tell you something, after spending a whole day on a document, and getting a meeting with [...]

The title of this post is “creative documentation”. I am sure you are wondering “what is this?” Well, let me first say that writing documentation is not rocket science. In fact, the entire process of software development, from initial specifications to system design to coding to documentation to testing, implementation and use is as unique [...]

I remember when I graduated from college. Those were exciting times. Some good parties, that is for sure. I had lots of expectations about life and pretty much lived under a false illusion that my college gave me (e.g. solid job offers with bonuses and good salaries). But that is all long gone and forgiven [...]

One utility program I especially enjoy using is the Microsoft Windows System Configuration Utility. This is, of course, because I am a Windows OS user (Windows Vista). So, for those of you using other operating systems, you will have to consult with the documentation of your OS to discover a comparable utility program.
In short, [...]

When I was in high school, I had a summer reading list that I had to complete between each year. Usually, there were about four or five books I had to read. Fortunately, back in those days, there was no Internet to distract me! Just kidding. Actually, my summer reading lists were a mix of [...]

When you watch an older movie from the 1950s, 1960s and even 1970s, many times you will see characters who fulfill traditional roles in terms of how they appear. For example, people drive common cars, live in common houses, dress with common clothing, and speak using common expressions. This is all fine and dandy for [...]