Friday, October 9, 2009
The Digital Business Card
If you're still handing out paper business cards, you'd better read this article from CNN Technology -- http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/01/digital.business.cards/index.html. Us "old" dogs just have to learn some "new" tricks.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same
I was just reading an article on CNN Tech News about Facebook adding a new feature -- voice chat (http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/15/cnet.facebook.voice.chat/index.html?iref=newssearch). So you know the old adage, "the more things change, the more they stay the same. I can't help but think back over the past 8 years about my niece's communication evolution.
It all started with regular land-line communications. My niece would call her friends, ask them if they wanted to get together and go do something, they'd hang up, go meet somewhere, and talk face-to-face. At the most, she had call waiting.
Somewhere around 13-14 years old, along came Microsoft IM -- instant messaging to those of us who still speak in complete sentences. My niece was on the computer nonstop "chatting" with her friends. She even showed me how to do it, so I would IM with her myself from time to time.
Then around 15 maybe, she got her first cell phone. The phone was glued to her ear as she talked incessantly with her friends -- put one person on hold, talk to another, go back to the one on hold, put her back on hold, talk to someone else, and on and on. And the fights with her parents were on. "No phone calls during dinner time." "Get off that phone and get your homework done." "Does that thing ever stop ringing."
The phone calls tapered off as MySpace suddenly became the communication tool of choice. How many "friends" could you add to your account? She was sharing information about herself with people she really didn't know but a friend, of a friend, of a friend said it would OK to add this person to her MySpace page.
I don't even know when this happened, but all of a sudden, she wasn't "talking" on the phone as much anymore and she wasn't in front of her computer -- she was typing on a keyboard on her phone and sending text message to everyone. At least she was resting her neck from holding the phone against her ear and moving the stress points to her thumbs. The constantly ringing phone was replaced with a quick "bell" sound or a vibration noise to alert her to a new text message.
When she went off to college, she bagged her MySpace account and started one on FaceBook. She kept updating it for a while until one day she told me, "Aunt Janie, it's boring to go out to FaceBook anymore. I don't even update it anymore." Occassionally, she checks her account when she has time. She's still texting though.
Now FaceBook is adding Voice Chat. It seems to me she's back where she started -- talking on the phone. It's the same thing even if you add the video component. It's "virtual" face-to-face conversations.
And if you really want to stretch it, aren't "tweets" a little bit like hollering over the fence to your neighbor when you were a kid.
It all started with regular land-line communications. My niece would call her friends, ask them if they wanted to get together and go do something, they'd hang up, go meet somewhere, and talk face-to-face. At the most, she had call waiting.
Somewhere around 13-14 years old, along came Microsoft IM -- instant messaging to those of us who still speak in complete sentences. My niece was on the computer nonstop "chatting" with her friends. She even showed me how to do it, so I would IM with her myself from time to time.
Then around 15 maybe, she got her first cell phone. The phone was glued to her ear as she talked incessantly with her friends -- put one person on hold, talk to another, go back to the one on hold, put her back on hold, talk to someone else, and on and on. And the fights with her parents were on. "No phone calls during dinner time." "Get off that phone and get your homework done." "Does that thing ever stop ringing."
The phone calls tapered off as MySpace suddenly became the communication tool of choice. How many "friends" could you add to your account? She was sharing information about herself with people she really didn't know but a friend, of a friend, of a friend said it would OK to add this person to her MySpace page.
I don't even know when this happened, but all of a sudden, she wasn't "talking" on the phone as much anymore and she wasn't in front of her computer -- she was typing on a keyboard on her phone and sending text message to everyone. At least she was resting her neck from holding the phone against her ear and moving the stress points to her thumbs. The constantly ringing phone was replaced with a quick "bell" sound or a vibration noise to alert her to a new text message.
When she went off to college, she bagged her MySpace account and started one on FaceBook. She kept updating it for a while until one day she told me, "Aunt Janie, it's boring to go out to FaceBook anymore. I don't even update it anymore." Occassionally, she checks her account when she has time. She's still texting though.
Now FaceBook is adding Voice Chat. It seems to me she's back where she started -- talking on the phone. It's the same thing even if you add the video component. It's "virtual" face-to-face conversations.
And if you really want to stretch it, aren't "tweets" a little bit like hollering over the fence to your neighbor when you were a kid.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wikipedia: No Longer the Wild West???
Wikipedia is adding a layer of oversight to its system! It is going to try to assign editors to some of its entries. These volunteers would have to approve public edits before they are published to English-language stories about living people.
Repent. The End is Near. Crowds of people can no longer create the news, share information, and collaborate on online projects. Or so some people say while others see the change as a sign that these communities of online volunteers are getting more complex, and they need more rules.
Go to http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/26/wikipedia.editors/index.html to read the whole story.
I know that in my technical writing class, I cringe when a student tells me they found the information on Wikipedia. The old IT adage comes back to me: garbage in, garbage out. Maybe some controls are in order to give Wikipedia posts more credibility because I don't trust the accuracy and correctness of the entries. As the article points out, entries about Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd falsely stated both U.S. Senators had died (this was before Ted Kennedy actually did die).
I'm not a Facebook user, but for those of you who are, you might enjoy this article as well about the 12 types of annoying Facebookers.
Go to http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/20/annoying.facebook.updaters/index.html.
Repent. The End is Near. Crowds of people can no longer create the news, share information, and collaborate on online projects. Or so some people say while others see the change as a sign that these communities of online volunteers are getting more complex, and they need more rules.
Go to http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/26/wikipedia.editors/index.html to read the whole story.
I know that in my technical writing class, I cringe when a student tells me they found the information on Wikipedia. The old IT adage comes back to me: garbage in, garbage out. Maybe some controls are in order to give Wikipedia posts more credibility because I don't trust the accuracy and correctness of the entries. As the article points out, entries about Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd falsely stated both U.S. Senators had died (this was before Ted Kennedy actually did die).
I'm not a Facebook user, but for those of you who are, you might enjoy this article as well about the 12 types of annoying Facebookers.
Go to http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/20/annoying.facebook.updaters/index.html.
Friday, June 12, 2009
What kind of a tech user are you?
I recently read an article on the CNN/Technology Web site that discussed whether or not people are suffering from Internet fatigue. In the article, the author talks about a report by PEW "called 'The Mobile Difference,' which places American adults into 10 different user types, depending on how they feel about information technology, what kind of information technology they have in their lives and how they use information technology in their lives." Then, the reader is asked to take the "what kind of tech user are you" quiz.
Well, I took the quiz and found out that I am a Media Mover. A media mover has a wide range of online and mobile habits and is bound to find or create an information nugget, such as a digital photo, and pass it on. These social exchanges are central to his or her use of information and communication technology. Cyberspace, as a path to personal productivity or an outlet for creativity, is less important.
Go take the quiz at at http://www.pewinternet.org/Participate/What-Kind-of-Tech-User-Are-You.aspx and let us know your type. Are you a Digital Collaborator, Ambivalent Networker, Roving Node, Desktop Veterans, Drifting Surfer, Information Encumbered, Mobile Newbie, or Technology Indifferent. Reveal....
Well, I took the quiz and found out that I am a Media Mover. A media mover has a wide range of online and mobile habits and is bound to find or create an information nugget, such as a digital photo, and pass it on. These social exchanges are central to his or her use of information and communication technology. Cyberspace, as a path to personal productivity or an outlet for creativity, is less important.
Go take the quiz at at http://www.pewinternet.org/Participate/What-Kind-of-Tech-User-Are-You.aspx and let us know your type. Are you a Digital Collaborator, Ambivalent Networker, Roving Node, Desktop Veterans, Drifting Surfer, Information Encumbered, Mobile Newbie, or Technology Indifferent. Reveal....
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What is the Technical Writer market like in Montana?
Earlier this month I received an email from someone wanting to know what the Technical Writer market is like in Montana.
Is it concentrated in a particular area of the state? This person says he primarily develops Help systems.
Thoughts?
Is it concentrated in a particular area of the state? This person says he primarily develops Help systems.
Thoughts?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
STC Montana Webinar: Finding Value in Social Networks
I don't know how many STC Montana members are familiar with Scott Abel, but he has agreed to do our next Webinar on February 25 at noon to help us find value in online social networks.
Scott’s blog, The Content Wrangler (www.TheContentWrangler.com), is a popular online resource for technical writers with an interest in content management. Scott’s social networking site, The Content Wrangler Community (thecontentwrangler.ning.com), is a global network of content professionals that attracts thousands of members from around the world. A founding member of Content Management Professionals (www.cmpros.org), Scott previously served as Executive Director of the organization.
Scott is also involved with the Documentation and Training West 2009 Conference to be held in beautiful Palm Springs, CA, March 17-20, 2009. The theme is Moving From Unstructured to Structured Content (http://www.doctrain.com/west/2009). The event includes a special focus on the Darwin Information Typing Architecture. Paid registration includes two days of conference presentations, case studies, and panel discussions, as well as, access to 2 days of hands-on training workshops at no additional cost!
STC Members save $400 off the full price of admission when you register by telephone. You pay only $899. Call Eileen Savary at DocTrain Conferences at +1 978-649-8555. Use discount code STC. This offer is not retroactive and is limited to telephone registration only.
Scott’s blog, The Content Wrangler (www.TheContentWrangler.com), is a popular online resource for technical writers with an interest in content management. Scott’s social networking site, The Content Wrangler Community (thecontentwrangler.ning.com), is a global network of content professionals that attracts thousands of members from around the world. A founding member of Content Management Professionals (www.cmpros.org), Scott previously served as Executive Director of the organization.
Scott is also involved with the Documentation and Training West 2009 Conference to be held in beautiful Palm Springs, CA, March 17-20, 2009. The theme is Moving From Unstructured to Structured Content (http://www.doctrain.com/west/2009). The event includes a special focus on the Darwin Information Typing Architecture. Paid registration includes two days of conference presentations, case studies, and panel discussions, as well as, access to 2 days of hands-on training workshops at no additional cost!
STC Members save $400 off the full price of admission when you register by telephone. You pay only $899. Call Eileen Savary at DocTrain Conferences at +1 978-649-8555. Use discount code STC. This offer is not retroactive and is limited to telephone registration only.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Anonymous Anger Rampant on Internet
I found this article on Cnn.com/technology interesting http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/11/03/angry.internet/index.html. Check it out.
If anyone is looking for a masters or doctorate thesis, it would be fun to study the blogging and social media communication tools and the role of anonymity in how we interact with each these days. At the "job jar" meeting we discussed e-mail and its litigious nature (I love that word!), and I think online communication does give one a sense of freedom to express yourself any way you like without boundaries.
I know I sometimes find myself tapping away on my keyboard to compose an e-mail without giving it much thought about where it might land and who it might affect. As the article points out, MySpace and FaceBook have destroyed lives because of online postings. I have become more cautious in recent days about my use of e-mail and have even gone backward a bit to picking up the phone to have an actual conversation with my co-workers. It's kind of nice.
If anyone is looking for a masters or doctorate thesis, it would be fun to study the blogging and social media communication tools and the role of anonymity in how we interact with each these days. At the "job jar" meeting we discussed e-mail and its litigious nature (I love that word!), and I think online communication does give one a sense of freedom to express yourself any way you like without boundaries.
I know I sometimes find myself tapping away on my keyboard to compose an e-mail without giving it much thought about where it might land and who it might affect. As the article points out, MySpace and FaceBook have destroyed lives because of online postings. I have become more cautious in recent days about my use of e-mail and have even gone backward a bit to picking up the phone to have an actual conversation with my co-workers. It's kind of nice.
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