February 2005 (Volume 16 Number 5) About the Quill
In This Issue
The Importance of Documentation: An Object Lesson in Technical Accuracy
President Opal Gamble knows from first hand experience how bad documentation equals a bad experience. The whole situation is even
worse when it relates to security devices. See if this article matches your imagination. 
Upcoming Chapter Events
Although February is a short month, there is a lot happening this month. With so much happening, and a shorter month, time will just fly until our annual wine and cheese in March. You don't want to miss any of these events.
December General Meeting Recap: Is Marcom for You?
Our last general meeting seems so long ago, but it was certainly an event worth remembering. Find out what we learned from our panel of experts.
Highlighting Hazards: Mastering Warnings and Error Messages
December's STC remote seminar was an early gift to attendees who wanted to find out how to document hazards and error messages. The only danger associated with this article is missing the information that it contains.
Pre-emptive Project Planning
January's STC remote seminar demonstrated that planning is not always futile. In fact, using the
techniques and templates provided in this seminar can help you to both predict and handle the future.
The Results Are In!
Everyone likes to be a winner, so it's not surprising that there were many winners in this year's Technical Publications, Online Communications, and Technical Art competitions. Find out about our exchange of entries with
the Minnesota chapter STC, and the results of that exchange.
Balancing Work and Home
As everyone tries to get as much as they can out of life, the phrase, "There's not enough hours in the day" keeps coming up. Find out how one technical writer found a solution to balancing work and a home life.
A View From the Other Side...of a New Year
It's always exciting to get something new, and this month's article is no exception. There is a lot new on the other side of the pond.
Don't Lose It...Use It!
Growing up, you may have heard your parent tell you to "use it or lose it." Now, even as an adult, those words are still true. Find out how our technical writer in the States is keeping her skills sharp by doing volunteer work.
CIC SIG: Notes From an Isolated Writer
While the saying is that no man is an island, in the world of writing, you can sometimes feel isolated. And, if you think this article is just doom and gloom, then think again. There's words to live by in this article.
Membership News
Being in a large group, it can be hard to get to know members. Find out who's new and who are new senior members.
STC Election Early This Year
If you pay your dues by February 28, 2005, you can have a say in the STC's future by casting your vote. Read these articles so you can make an informed decision:
The Editor's MessageWelcome to the latest issue of The Quill. It's hard to believe that it is already February. On the bright side, we are one month closer to spring and the summer. On the dark side, we are still in the midst of winter. For those avid skiers and snowmobilers, I guess you will have to flip the bright and dark comments. EducationAt the beginning of December, as I was trying to get that month's issue of The Quill together, I was also in the process of studying for an exam. For me, it had been about 20 years since I had had to write an exam (now you know how old I am). But it appears, like riding a bicycle, it comes back to you. I just got my marks last week and I passed, with honours. This story was not meant to brag, but to show you that you never stop learning...especially in this business. I have just started the second half of the course, so it seems that I couldn't stop learning now if that's what I wanted. Our Education SeminarsIf you have not already registered for one or both days of this year's seminars, you might just be able to get your registration in for the February 17th or 18th seminars. If you have not checked out what opportunities for learning await you, access the PDF file on our chapter Web site for more details. EmploymentIn addition to being able to find a job by looking for postings on our Web site, there are occasionally employers who do not want to put a posting on our site. When this occurs, the employer asks our Employment Manager for a list of people who might be looking for work. If you would be interested in being on that list, contact Ursula McCloy for details. QuestionsQuestions are the perfect tie in between education and employment. You need to ask questions to learn, and the questions don't stop even when you are employed. (See my earlier comment about how learning continues for the rest of your life.) If you would like to ask a question or share your wisdom, I am always eager to hear from you.
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