Chapter Meetings
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Neil Perlin, Principal, Hyper/Word Services
Topic: What's Up, eDoc?
The once stable, almost staid world of technical writing is becoming increasingly turbulent. Consider that, in less than a decade, we've seen:
- The rise of topic-based authoring.
- The rise of structured authoring in general and DITA in particular.
- Increasingly complex technical ecosystems that ask us to decide about the Mark of the Web and quirks vs. strict browser modes.
- The growth of mobile devices, and the need to create single source output that can work on them as well as a standard PC or laptop.
- The growth of social media and the need to integrate content from social media with that from more traditional documentation.
- The spread of metadata and the promise of dynamically modeled online help… CMSs… and more…
What exactly can we expect, and how do we deal with all this? In this presentation by Neil Perlin, a 32-year veteran of technical communication, we'll first look at the high-level technologies and methodologies coming our way. We'll then look at what we need to do to function in this environment, such as:
- Viewing ourselves as independent consultants rather than employees.
- Taking charge of our own careers, rather than waiting for the company to do so.
- Accepting the need for lifelong technical learning.
- Accepting the need to go beyond technology and writing and into the business side of our world.
- And more…
These are turbulent times. But they're interesting times too, promising new and challenging work if we keep up.
About the Speaker
Neil Perlin has 32 years experience in technical communication, with 25 in training, consulting, and development for various online formats and tools including WinHelp, HTML Help, CE Help, JavaHelp, WebHelp, RoboHelp, ForeHelp, Flare, and many now known only in legend. Neil is a columnist and frequent speaker for the STC, IEEE PCS, and other professional groups, a Fellow of the STC, and the creator and manager of the Beyond the Bleeding Edge stem at the STC’s annual conference.
Neil is a Madcap Certified Instructor for Flare and Mimic, and an Adobe-Certified Instructor for RoboHelp and Captivate. He provides training, consulting, and development for online help and documentation, Flare, RoboHelp, Captivate, Mimic, XML, single-sourcing, topic-based and structured authoring, and mobile web site development through Hyper/Word Services of Tewksbury, MA. He can be reached at nperlin@concentric.net, www.hyperword.com.
Make your early bird reservation by September 3, 2010 or your payment now!
Reservations
Please send your reservation to our Program Coordinator. Make a reservation even if you are only attending the program so that we can accommodate everyone. Please include your STC ID number with your reservation or you will be charged the Non-STC Member rate. See below for payment details.
Payment
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If you wish to mail your check, please contact our Program Coordinator to obtain the necessary information.
Note that the deadline for the before deadline price, is usually the Wednesday preceding the meeting, but you should check the meeting announcement to be sure.
If you pay at the door you will have to pay the after deadline price.
| Dinner and Program | |
| STC Members | |
| STC NNE/Boston Members before deadline ($20) |
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| Other STC Members before deadline ($25) |
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| All STC Members after deadline ($30) |
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| Non-Members | |
| Non-STC Members before deadline ($30) |
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| Non-STC Members after deadline ($35) |
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| Program Only | |
| STC Members | |
| STC NNE/Boston Members ($5) |
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| Other STC Members ($10) |
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| Non-Members | |
| Non-STC Members ($15) |
Cancellations
If you cancel your reservation before the deadline—that is, the Wednesday before the meeting—you will receive a full refund.
To request a cancellation and refund, contact both our Program Coordinator and Treasurer.
If you wish to notify us of a cancellation but you are not eligible for a refund, simply contact our Program Coordinator.
Meeting location
Our meetings take place at Rivier College in the Dion Center.
#5 on the Campus Map
Rivier is located off Route 3 (Everett Turnpike), accessible via major routes including I-95, I-93, and NH Rte 101.
Boston and the South Shore
Take Interstate 93 north to Route 128. Take Route 128 south to Route 3 north. Once in New Hampshire look for exit 4. (See below.)
West of Boston
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) east to Interstate 495. Take Interstate 495 north to Route 3 north. Once in New Hampshire look for Exit 4. (See below.)
Exit 4
From the Route 3 Southbound
- After taking exit 4, turn left at lights onto East Dunstable Road.
- Turn right at 3rd light onto Main Street (1 mile).
- Take second right off the roundabout.
From the Route 3 Northbound
- After taking exit 4, turn right at lights onto East Dunstable Road.
- Turn right at 2nd light onto Main Street (1 mile).
- Take second right off the roundabout.
Parking
Parking is across the street from the Dion Center (#5) near the Sylvia Trottier Hall (#22).