February 2004 (Volume 15 Number 5) About the Quill

In This Issue

President's Message

Heidi talks about how some students have come forward to do some good things for our chapter. More

Tools

If the words "raster" and "vector" are new to you, let Patrick Hofmann show you the connection between these terms and the tools that you should use. More

Workshop

The February workshop is just around the corner. Find out about XML and how much time you have left to register for this value-packed workshop. More

Student Awards

We are looking for the best to present this year's awards. Find out what is being done to promote it and how to be considered. More

January and February History

January and February mark the beginning of a new year. Find out what new things have been started in the past. More

News from England

Nancy Halverson is back from her holidays and back at work. Find out what has happened since December and what observations she has made about life in England. More

December Recap

Although the title of this article is "It's not Technical Writing", read this article and see the similarities between technical writing and writing internal communications. More

New Members

As people in the communication field, we are always eager to learn and always eager to welcome people with new ideas. Read this article to find out more about four of our new members. More

Upcoming Events

The STC provides you with a lot of opportunities to learn and grow as a communicator. See which of the upcoming events might interest you. More

CIC Financial Forecasting

Doing some financial forecasting can be the most difficult part of your business plan, Elaine Garnet has asked an expert to provide some tips on this "daunting" task. More

Next CIC Meeting

January's meeting was postponed until February, so you have a second chance to attend this meeting and find out how you may be selling yourself short. More

Call for Speakers

If you think you have something to talk about London's Student Chapter's "Education Day", then read this article to find out more about it. More

STC Head Office

Opportunities for learning are not restricted to your STC chapter. Find out about scholarship opportunities for those students who will be attending school again next year. More

Students are not the only ones still learning. Find out more about this year's conference. More

Even Head Office is learning as they revise their Web site. Read about what they have done. More

 

The Editor's Message

The theme of this month's articles is learning. Everyone is doing it! 

Not So Groovy

Anyone who has been a technical writer knows that lunch isn't always an option. Sometimes it's not your choice, because there is a deadline that has to be met. Other times it is your choice -- you get "on a roll" and you don't want to stop. You fear that if you stop, you will lose your train of thought and it will take you a while to get back in "the groove." This is what I am going through this month. Although it was nice to not have to get a newsletter together for January, it also got me out of the groove, and it has taken me a while to figure out who I might ask to write some articles for me. Alas, I tried to get two people to write articles about education, but I was not successful. Next month I hope someone comes forward and volunteers, or I'll have to start asking people much earlier. This is referred to as being "voluntold".

Regular Features

On the bright side, the other familiar articles are still in place. In fact, many of the articles are associated with being a student or, at least, learning of some kind. This issue deals with our upcoming workshop, our student awards, Head Office scholarships, students who have come forward to volunteer, instructions on how to prepare a financial plan, and instructions on how to choose the right software to edit different types of graphics. This should not be surprising, since one of the purposes of our chapter is to learn.

Students vs. Members

The only difference between students and members in our chapter is where we do our learning. I have always said that I like the technical writing profession because it always gives you the chance to learn something new. You can learn something new that is specific to our profession, like how to use a new software package or how to simplify something complex. You also have the luxury of learning about the subject matter that you are documenting, whether it be a new software feature, a new piece of machinery, or a new course.

 

To print the entire Quill, click here! Send your questions or comments to me, Debbie, at quill@stc-soc.org

Creating and supporting a forum for communities of practice in the profession of technical communication