STC Westcoast News

Optimizing the Googleability of Your Content

2012-01-25T05:50:16+00:00

Meeting minutes to follow but just a quick thanks to all who attended in person and remotely. The February 2012 program meeting went on as planned, and only mildly affected by snow and cold. The speaker presented from the comfort of his office and half the registered attendees opted to watch the presentation from their same homey comforts. In-person attendees enjoyed refreshments and networking. The presentation is filled with takeaway ideas and available here:
http://writersua.info/quHi0t Code: 4523

Other items to note
The Software User Assistance Skills and Technology survey is in process. Please consider contributing:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/skills_survey

Conference for Software User Assistance, March 11-14, 2012 in Memphis, Tennessee. Act now to be eligible for early bird savings. Reference your STC chapter name in the registration form to save $300. Deal ends January 31.
http://www.writersua.com/conference/index.html

Developing User Assistance for Mobile Apps is available in print, Kindle, and ePub: http://www.writersua.com/mobile/book.htm
User Assistance Resource Directory and Articles: http://www.writersua.com/
LinkedIn Software User Assistance group: http://writersua.info/rTOnNE

Joe Welinske, President, WritersUA
Web site: http://www.writersua.com * Phone: 206-405-0923
Linkedin: Software User Assistance Group * Twitter: writersua

Launching New Service for New Writers

2011-09-12T04:23:00+00:00

Are you new to the field of technical writing, or considering entering the field? Do you have questions about what this work is like, what training is best, what skills you need, or how much you can earn as a technical writer?

The newly unveiled Information Interview Service gives you the chance to talk to a volunteer senior technical writer to ask the questions you’ve been wanting answered.

Announcing the 2010/2011 Julia Broderick Scholarship Winner

2011-06-14T04:38:02+00:00

This year’s Julia Broderick Scholarship was presented to Ulrike Rodrigues at the May program meeting. Ulrike, who came from the BCIT Technical Writing certificate program, is a multi-faceted individual, having worked in electronic publishing, earned a BA in cognitive psychology, and written extensively for cycling publications and organizations. Her three passions in life are writing, thinking, and exploring. Congratulations, Ulrike! Look for her award-winning essay to appear in Coast Lines very soon.

Extended health and dental benefits recommended to chapter members

2011-02-24T01:26:30+00:00

STC Canada West Coast board directors have reviewed competing products and are recommending the benefit packages offered by a British Columbia insurance broker—the basic and enhanced—for both individuals and families. Take a look at the info provided by Integrated Benefits Solutions, Inc. and call Gayle at 250-475-0557 with your questions. If you have no questions and decide to buy coverage now, print the application form.

Canadian chapters holding competitions

2010-11-04T01:57:24+00:00

The Canada West Coast chapter holds a competition in alternate years. Canadian chapters holding competitions in 2010 are the Southwestern Ontario chapter and the Toronto chapter.

Update: Dec 1, 2010: the STC Canada competition deadline is almost upon us! Submit your entry or entries and get valuable peer driven feedback on your content. Canadian communities are working together this year on the entries, so please visit http://www2.stctoronto.org/get-involved/competition

Please email stctoronto.competition@gmail.com to confirm that you are entering

The STC International Summit Awards encourage and recognize excellence in technical communication. The awards competition is open to the public.

Entries may be submitted in these categories:
- Informational materials
- Instructional materials
- Promotional materials
- User Support materials

For a complete list of communities holding competitions visit the Society’s Competition page

MadCap Software Is Again Paying for STC Memberships!

2010-03-24T07:29:52+00:00

From the STC Notebook Blog

For the second year in a row, STC and MadCap Software have formed a special membership alliance to help extend membership benefits to all new and returning MadCap Software customers.

For a limited time only, purchase or upgrade MadCap Flare, MadPak, or MadPak ML with any Maintenance plan, and MadCap will pay for a new or renewing STC Basic Membership. That’s a total savings of US$215.

“STC provides a wealth of resources and forums that play a vital role in the professional development of technical communicators,” said Anthony Olivier, MadCap co-founder and CEO. “By covering the annual STC dues of our customers, we have an opportunity to give back to the community and ensure that writers have access to valuable STC services.”

“We’re excited to have MadCap offer this opportunity to our members,” said Kathryn Burton, STC Executive Director. “This is a wonderful example of their continued involvement in STC, and we greatly appreciate their generosity with this promotion.”

This deal is being offered for a limited time on personal as well as corporate purchases of software. It’s time to act now and save!

To take advantage of this and other MadCap offers for STC members, contact MadCap Software or call +1 (858) 320-0327 and mention the “STC Partnership Promo.”

For more information, visit MadCap’s website.

Recipient of the STC Summit Award

2010-03-24T07:24:18+00:00

I’m pleased to announce that Tony Chung is the recipient of the STC Summit Grant, which provides funding for one full conference registration to the 2010 STC Summit. Tony, best wishes for a successful conference of professional development, networking and technical communication fun. I look forward to hearing you talk about your experiences upon your return!

Eagranie Yuh
President, STC CWC

Grant and scholarship opportunities: don’t miss the deadlines

2010-03-02T01:36:01+00:00

Don’t forget, the application deadline for the STC Summit Grant is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 8. This grant provides one full conference registration to the 2010 STC Summit in Dallas, TX. Here’s more information about the STC Summit Grant.

If you’re a student in a technical communication program in your final year of study, you should apply for the 2009/2010 Julia Broderick Scholarship Award. The recipient of the award receives $750 for professional development costs: tuition, STC membership, workshops, and other programs. The application deadline is March 31, 2010, so don’t delay! Find out more about the Julia Broderick Scholarship Award here.

Win a ticket to the MadCap Software 2010 Roadshow!

2010-02-19T19:29:04+00:00

STC CWC has one complimentary ticket for the MadCap Software 2010 Roadshow. It’s up for grabs - all you have to do is write a quick blurb about the event afterwards for Coast Lines. Leave a comment in the Madap 2010 Roadshow forum thread. We’ll pick one person at random at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26.

Welcome to 2010, a year of renewal, change and opportunities

2010-02-15T07:35:36+00:00

Welcome to new STC CWC members, and welcome back to renewing members! There are lots of updates to share with you, so don’t miss the latest president’s message in Coast Lines. It’s full of pertinent information, including details about the STC Summit Grant, winners of the 2009-2010 Technical Publications Competition, and updates about the STC.

Eagranie Yuh
President, STC CWC