Outlines the process of planning and developing a multimedia documentation project. Discusses audience, task, and information analysis; selection of the most appropriate media; effective design; establishment of the development team; hardware and software requirements; costs; and project planning. (SR)

Argues that technical communicators should have a working definition of icons, know when to use them, and understand some of the problems inherent in icon design. Recommends using a workable icon classification system and adhering to some practical design guidelines. (SR)

Suggests that technical writing is the most challenging profession in the world and sometimes the most boring. List 35 things that the field knows about technical communication (on such topics as audience, editing, writing style, graphics, and training). Suggests that there may be nothing left to invent in the field of technical communication. (RS)

Suggests that intricate situations occur naturally in the context of work where there is no clearly predetermined division of responsibilities about text production. Observes situations in which a technical writer and a software developer met to clarify specific concepts about the device to be documented, but interesting work in the text actually…

Explains why technical communicators should help translators. Offers tips for creating "translation-friendly" documentation. Describes the research and design process used by the authors to create an online tutorial that provides technical communicators at a medical technology company the information they need to help them write and…

Outlines the evolution of information design in Europe, which has long involved practitioners from a broader set of disciplines than in the United States. Speculates on reasons for differences in approach to information design in Europe and the United States. Maintains that quality of education is key to both approaches, to respect and improve…

Describes the Information SubTypes and Effects (ISTE) approach, which measures the relationship between the design of a document and the way users handle it. Positions the ISTE method within the broader context of usability testing. Describes its basic approach and some recent applications. Demonstrates that ISTE is a viable instrument for…

Asserts that the problem of poor documentation can be alleviated by producing better educated and more qualified technical writers. Describes how technical writing instructors can increase their own technical expertise and encourage their students to develop these skills. (SR)

Outlines the internal usability review, a systematic examination of documentation to identify basic usability issues and solve problems. Discusses typical user problems and explains the review steps that eliminate documentation problems before they become problems for the customer. (SR)

Argues that an effectively designed intranet can become a valuable medium for facilitating work processes and communication throughout a company, and that sound structure and visual appeal are important in attracting users to an intranet. Examines issues, such as creating form appropriate to function, determining audience needs, and implementing…

Explains the controversy surrounding the Office Assistant ("Paper-Clip") in Microsoft's Office 97. Discusses why actual readers rejected the default Office Assistant's role as implied writer and rebelled against the reader role implied for them. Notes users resented its intrusive behavior, rejected its implied writer role, and refused to…

Defines two meanings of information design: the overall process of developing a successful document; and the way the information is presented on the screen (layout, typography, color, and so forth). Discusses the future importance of both of these meanings of information design, in terms of design for the web and single-sources (planning…

Presents a 17-item annotated list of essential books on information design chosen by members of the InfoDesign e-mail list. Includes a 113-item unannotated bibliography of additional works, on topics of creativity and critical thinking; visual thinking; graphic design; infographics; information design; instructional design; interface design;…

Examines the effects of pictures (screen captures and input devices) on documentation for older novice computer users (aged 26 to 69 years). Argues that screen captures help reduce memory load and support visual scanning for older users. Finds no support for the prediction that the presence of pictures would make some manuals more effective than…

Argues that, given the expanding audience of non-native readers of English and the need to translate technical writing, technical writing should be unambiguous and predictable. Explains what syntactic cues are and why technical communicators should use them. Discusses integrating this approach into established documentation processes, and provides…