tech comm dot next

Presentation and Pictures: tech comm dot next

19 Jul 2010 at 18:39

Sridhar Machani

View the presentation summary and announcement.

Download the presentation slides (PDF): tech comm dot next

On the cold Saturday morning of 17-July-2010, I enjoyed my ride to the Taj Gateway Hotel near Brigade Road in Bangalore.

Image: STC India President, Michelle Cherian addressing the audience.

I reached the venue of the STC India Regional Conference 15 minutes early and was surprised to see the conference hall almost full with attendees. That set the mood for the rest of the day and I enjoyed it in the company of my fellow professionals.

Image: I was honored that the STC India Admin Council let me light the lamp at the start of the conference, after Michelle and Rajdeep. Thanks!

Image: Audience in full attendance.

While it would take a few more days to view the presentation videos, you can download my presentation slides in PDF format or view the conference pictures.

Above: My pictures during the presentation.

Thanks to the organisers for the wonderful event and the people who made it wonderful by turning up in full strength. See you at the STC India Annual Conference in New Delhi this November!

Launching the STC India Jobs Board

01 Jul 2010 at 13:46

Sridhar Machani

News and Notes

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In the run up to the STC India Career Day and Regional Conference, we’re pleased to launch our new initiative, the STC India Jobs Board at http://careers.stc-india.org/.

The Jobs Board is a platform for the Indian technical communicators looking to advance their careers and for the employers looking to hire new employees/contractors/freelancers.

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[July 17] Presenting at the STC India Regional Conference

30 Jun 2010 at 13:41

Sridhar Machani

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Update: You can read my comments on the conference, download the slides (PDF), or view the conference pictures.

The India Chapter of Society for Technical Communication is pleased to invite you for a Career Day and Regional Conference to be held at The Gateway Hotel, Bangalore on July 17, 2010.

My presentation slot: 2:20pm-3:00pm

Topic: tech comm dot next

Abstract: The landscape has changed in the technical communication world. The users expect help topics to show up in Google (or other) search results. They want to share, comment, and challenge the accuracy of help topics. They want to discuss and collaborate with other users, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders. They want to track updates on products and services in real time. They want to do this on computers, mobile phones, net-books, and on Internet TVs (which are coming soon).

As technical communicators, we know how to develop content. Now, let us talk about delivering content in ways and forms the users expect from us. Let us talk about how our roles and careers are going to shape up in the world of Web 2.0 and beyond.

Profile: Sridhar Machani is a technical communicator at Wipro Technologies. As a web consultant for STC India, Sridhar has developed the STC India Portal and other web properties (Indus, STC India Network, and Jobs Board).

His blog, tech comm dot next, tries to convince the technical communicators that they need to be familiar with building and managing web properties or risk extinction.

Read the complete agenda and registration details. Looking forward to see you there!

Update: You can read my comments on the conference, download the slides (PDF), or view the conference pictures.

RSS Feeds: Never Miss An Update From Your Favorite Sites/Blogs

22 Jun 2010 at 12:53

Sridhar Machani

News and Notes, Recommended

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On the Internet, it is very easy to be lost amidst and overwhelmed by the tons of information available from your favorite websites, blogs, forums, social networks and more web properties.

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Now Available: INDUS May-June 2010 Edition

22 Jun 2010 at 11:33

Sridhar Machani

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Checkout the editorial of the May-June 2010 edition of INDUS at http://indus.stc-india.org/2010/06/may-june-2010-newsletter/.

INDUS now has a new banner with a new STC India logo, designed by Vikrant Rai. The home page is now shorter, with the editorial as the main content. It has a ToC and the editorial team listed at the footer, confirming to the STC’s eligibility norms for the best newsletter competition.

Stay updated with the INDUS editions by subscribing to RSS feeds of the articles and comments.

Tech Writers, It’s Time To Build Your Online Brand

16 Jun 2010 at 17:20

Sridhar Machani

Branding, Career, Recommended

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We come across several accomplished and well-known technical communicators across the world:

Tom Johnson (http://idratherbewriting.com/)
Ivan walsh (http//www.ivanwalsh.com/)
Geff Hart (http://blatherskite.dreamwidth.org/)
Anne Gentle (http://justwriteclick.com/) and
Gordon McLean (http://www.onemanwrites.co.uk/).

What is the common thread between these and other professionals that is aiding their success? Continue reading →

[May, 2010] STC News

15 Jun 2010 at 09:23

Sridhar Machani

News and Notes

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An extract from Intercom, May 2010 edition – check here for upcoming events of interest to technical communicators:

FYI, mark your calendar (PDF)

20 Tips For Home-based Technical Writers

14 Jun 2010 at 13:03

Sridhar Machani

Blogs I Read

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Thanks to Ivan for the 20 Tips For Home-based Technical Writers Who Want to Stay Sane.

I’d add these things as well:

Expect things to go wrong (Murphy’s law) and be prepared.
Set priorities and expectations – know what must be done and what can wait.
Add enough buffer to deadlines.
Keep work separate from personal stuff.
Break your work into smaller chunks and work on them in 1 hour sessions.
Don’t remember things, make to-do lists and add reminders.

What do you think? Do you have any tricks that work for you?

[June, 2010] STC India News

10 Jun 2010 at 11:10

Sridhar Machani

News and Notes

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STC India Portal

Starting now, I’ll bring in insider views and updates related to the STC India portal, in my role as the webmaster and web consultant. Please add your comments and suggestions in the comments below.

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