Upcoming Chapter Events

by Opal Gamble, Program Manager

If you have any questions about upcoming chapter events, or if you have a suggestion for a meeting topic, feel free to email Opal Gamble (Program Manager) or Paul Lofthouse (Program Assistant).

For details about our chapter's events for the rest of the year, as well as last minute updates or additions to the schedule, take a look at the STC calendar.

March 10
Phone Seminar: Keywords for Indexing and Search

By popular demand*, our chapter is offering this phone seminar with presenter, Seth Maislin.

Language is the first, biggest, and most obvious barrier between people and their goals of finding information. Whether you're optimizing search queries and results presentation, improving the navigation of your Web site, or writing print and online indexes, choosing the right words can improve both accessibility and user confidence. In Seth Maislin's third practical seminar, you'll learn how to accomplish the following:

• find the words that work
• optimize context and categorization
• develop and control vocabularies
• label for storage vs. keyword for retrieval
• build searches and search results
• use dynamic presentation environments
• translate terms between audiences and languages

Owing to the proliferation of search engines and automatic content, the burden on users to guess the right index words is increasing. Improved labeling, better keyword vocabularies, and functional label architectures can relieve that burden. A summary of examples will help you realize the potential to immediately improve your index, Web, and search products.

This free seminar ($35 for non-members) takes place at the Waterloo Recreation Complex, 101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo, from 12:30-3:00 pm.

Please RSVP to Opal Gamble by Tuesday, March 9, 2004. In your e-mail message, please state the names of attendees and membership status.

*Survey results from January 5-12, 2004, on www.stc-soc.org indicate that chapter members preferred this topic. Do you want to have a say in our programming? Check the homepage frequently for surveys.

April 6
Technical Writing and Structured Writing:
What's the Difference?

Join Information Mapping guru Jim Purdy for this lively discussion about structured writing. Using examples and illustrations, Jim will explain:

• What is Structured Writing?
• Is it different from Technical Writing?
• If so, what are the similarities and differences between the two?
• Does Structured Writing have an advantage over Technical Writing when it comes to such modern communications developments such as Content Management Systems and Single-Source Documentation?

About the Speaker

Jim Purdy has worked with Communicare since 1996 as a trainer and documentation specialist in the Information Mapping® method.

He was certified as a Master Trainer in Information Mapping, Inc. in Boston and took on the responsibility of training and certifying other Canadian trainers in the delivery of Information Mapping seminars. He is now certified to deliver a range of Information Mapping seminars and serves as a consultant with Information Mapping in Boston on their new seminar development.

Jim project manages documentation projects for major private and public sector clients across Canada, taking their content and turning it into easy-to-use and understandable manuals, both on paper and online.

He also speaks on the topic of communications and content development at various conferences, trade shows, and association meetings.

The Fine Print

This month's meeting is in Room 1302, Davis Centre, University of Waterloo [map].

The doors open for networking at 6:30 pm; the meeting begins at 7:00 pm.

April 20
Council Meeting

6:30-8:30pm in the Seminar Room at Grand River / Stanley Park Community Library, 175 Indian Road, Kitchener.

All members welcome - help your chapter by becoming a volunteer!

RSVP to Heidi Marr.

April 24
Professional Development Event

The London Student Chapter STC is offering you the opportunity to hear great speakers, meet new people, and win wonderful door prizes. Watch for details in the next Quill.