Be sure to participate in the Competitions!

The opening date to register as a judge and to submit your entry is August 1. Plan for it now! To learn more about the competitions, check out the extensive competitions section of the site. More>

 

Your Chapter Needs YOU!

New volunteers are always valuable since they contribute new ideas and additional skills.

We all have the same goals, such as, to further our skills, learn more about and promote our profession, and network with others. Please pitch in to help us provide services to you and our STC Boston Chapter members.

For more information about volunteering contact Arun Jain at ajain@baystatedocs.com

The STC Boston Chapter offers the following networking links. You do not need to be a member of STC to join these networking groups.

:: Facebook
:: LinkedIn
:: STC-INFO
:: Twitter

 

 

Tools and Technology SIG

The Tools and Technology Special Interest Group explores emerging technology within the industry, using panel discussions, speakers, and demonstrations. In-depth presentations on new tools are also provided to explore products such as:

  • Flare from Madcap Software (an XML-based help authoring tool)
  • FrameMaker (including DITA and other structured documentation tools/technologies)
  • WebWorks ePublisher
  • XML tools
  • Web tools
  • SGML tools
  • HTML tools
  • Content Management Systems

October Program

Date
Thursday, October 30, 2008

Program
Success Factors When Creating Online Demos/Tutorials with MadCap Mimic
Special Program Sponsored by DocTrainEast / Scott Abel

Description
While capabilities and workflows within MadCap Software's Mimic product will be shown special emphasis will be placed on the critical success factors of implementing multimedia demos or tutorials in online documentation. While these concepts will be presented using Mimic for demonstration purposes the concepts are equally valid when using any tools for building such content.

Concepts covered will include:

  • The importance of defining the need
  • Setting the scope/boundaries of the project
  • Designing on paper first = Storyboards are cheap, fast, and critical
  • Self-editing must be continual to fight scope creep
  • Determining technical delivery requirements
  • Defining a style guide/recording guide
  • Guerrilla audio = clean recordings without breaking the bank
  • Mimic demo and capabilities

About the Presenter
Mike Hamilton is the Vice President of Product Management at MadCap Software where he is working on the next generation authoring tool, Flare. Before joining MadCap Software, he was the Product Manager for the RoboHelp product line since the days of Blue Sky Software, eHelp, and Macromedia. Mr. Hamilton joined the RoboHelp team in the mid ’90s as a founding member of the Training Solutions Program team, where he co-authored the certified training materials supporting the RoboHelp family.

Mike has over 20 years of experience in training, technical communication, multimedia development, and software development at several organizations including Macromedia, eHelp/Blue Sky Software, Cymer, a leading supplier of laser illumination sources in the semiconductor industry, National Steel and Shipbuilding, and the US Navy.


Time
5:00 - 6:30 pm   Attendees are invited to attend the DocTrain East Conference Networking Cocktail Reception in the Exposition Hall of the Burlington Marriott. Drinks and snacks will be provided courtesy of the sponsors.
6:30 - 8:30 pm   Presentation

Location
Burlington Marriott (Note the change in location)
One Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01803
Map and Directions

Cost and registration
Free

*** STC members will need to check in at the DocTrain East Conference registration desk when they arrive and obtain a name badge. This will provide them access to the cocktail reception and to the meeting. Signs will be posted at the registration desk directing people to the meeting. ***

Note: Conference attendees are also invited to attend this meeting so you will have extra opportunities to mingle.

STC-Boston and STC-NNE members Free
Other STC members and nonmembers      $5

Please contact Ed Marshall by Tuesday, October 28, if you plan to attend. (Note the change in registration for this event.)

No refreshments will be available, but attendees can bring their own food and drink.


For More Information
Contact the Tools & Technology SIG leader, Ed Marshall, 978-339-3095.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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