Software user assistance is more than “Help.” It encompasses a combination of skills and technologies that improve the software user’s experience.

Applying technical communication skills to the development of software user assistance has grown into specialized work. We contribute to wizards, tutorials, web-based training and more. Our valued role in the software development process fulfills and challenges us.

This presentation provides an overview of the latest trends in software user assistance, defines key terms, highlights technologies, and offers predictions on the direction of our field. The presentation should be of interest to technical communicators of all backgrounds and experience levels.

When: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Where: Downtown YWCA Fitness Building, 535 Hornby St., Vancouver, BC

Cost:
- STC Canada West Coast chapter members: FREE
- Non-members who are students in a technical writing program: $5
- Other non-members: $20

Registration
http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=47&EID=3888

About the Speaker

Joe Welinske is the president of WritersUA, a company devoted to providing training and information for user assistance professionals. Joe has been involved with software documentation development since 1984. Together with Scott Boggan and David Farkas, Joe authored two editions of the popular and pioneering book Developing Online Help for Windows. He has also taught online Help courses at the University of Washington, UC Santa Cruz, and Bellevue Community College. Joe received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1981, and a M.S. in Adult Instructional Management from Loyola University in 1987. Joe was the President of STC Puget Sound Chapter from 2006-2008 and is now Vice-President in charge of sponsorships.

http://www.WritersUA.com
The WritersUA/WinWriters Conference draws hundreds of attendees each year from around the world to share the latest in user assistance design and implementation. The free content on the WritersUA web site attracts over 20,000 visitors each month.