by stc-office on 17 March 2010
Yes, Your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger is running a for-bragging-rights-only bracket here on STC’s Notebook for the upcoming NCAA college basketball tournament. Games start tomorrow at noon EDT, so all entries must be completed by that time. The basic instructions:
- Go to http://stc10.mayhem.cbssports.com/e and either log in or register (for free)
- Enter our group with the password of “stcrocks”
- Make your picks
It’s that simple. Scroll down the page for further details and more information, or go directly to my earlier blog post at http://notebook.stc.org/hoops-fans-enter/. We have staff members, we have Board members, now all we need is you!
by stc-office on 16 March 2010
Today we bring you another look “Inside the Board,” from members of the STC Board of Directors on various topics of interest. Today, Nicky Bleiel gives a recognition rundown of the individual and community awards in STC.
Recognition Rundown
Everyone likes to be recognized for their hard work, be it for volunteer or professional achievements. STC has a variety of programs to recognize its leaders, communities, and individuals at both levels. As the Board lead for Recognition, I wanted to give everyone a quick rundown of all of our programs.
First of all, I’d like to note that Members, Senior Members, Associate Fellows, and Fellows, can download the appropriate logo and use it to advertise their status in the Society. See http://www.stc.org/stcmembers/specialized-stc-logos.asp for details (login required).
Everyone, including members, community leaders, professors, or students, should check this list and learn about the variety of ways STC recognizes it brightest stars. To learn more about any of the programs, go to www.stc.org and click the Recognition button.
Individual Awards
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by stc-office on 15 March 2010
That’s right, the STCNBRMMB (pronounced “stickenbrooooomb”) competition is now open! March Madness is upon us and even though my beloved Virginia Tech Hokies were left out of the field of 65, amazingly the sun still came up today and the world kept on turning. So the STC’s Notebook Bragging Rights March Madness Bracket starts now!
No money is involved at either end—entry is free and the winner just gets bragging rights over your fellow STC brethren. I’ll try to do something fun with the winner on the blog as well. And you don’t have to be a hoops fan to enter either! Each year, it seems, someone who has no idea about sports picks teams based upon “Their uniform color goes with my eyes” or “Their coach reminds me of my dad” … and wins. So enter away, you might surprise yourself!
To enter
First, go to http://stc10.mayhem.cbssports.com/e. If you already have an account with CBS Sportsline, log in and you’re set. If not, you’ll need to register (registration is free) and then you’ll have access to the brackets. The only other thing you need is a password, and the password is: “stcrocks”; nothing like a little positive reinforcement!
From there, just enter who you think is going to win each game! I’ve even set it up so you can enter a second bracket if you desire. We’re using a pretty basic point system where points for correct picks double each round. So for each pick in the first round you get right, you get one point. In the second round, two; in the third, four; all the way to 32 points for picking the national champion. (Tiebreaker is the total points scored by both teams combined in the national championship game.)
Edit: The website does all the work for us once picks are in. It will automatically score the brackets and will provide a running standing for everyone who entered. So once you fill out your bracket, your work is done! (And mine is too!) All entries must be completed by noon EDT (GMT-4) on Thursday, 18 March.
So make your picks and enter the STCNBRMMB. Whatever your pleasure, whatever your system, just pick! Note: Larry Kunz has already called dibs on picking based upon “best uniform lettering font,” so please no duplication of that system. Any questions or problems, send me an email at kevin.cuddihy@stc.org.
ANOTHER EDIT: Trash-talking is not only welcome, but encouraged. So after you’ve posted your brackets, feel free to post a comment bragging about them! It’ll make the win that much sweeter.
by stc-office on 15 March 2010
The STC Board of Directors recently contacted members who have not yet renewed, asking for feedback on the reason or reasons. Many members stated that they had hoped to renew their membership, but were still feeling the effects of unemployment or underemployment.
For this reason, the Board has voted to reopen the Recovery Package application process. Members who are still affected by the economic recession and wish to maintain their STC membership may apply today through 31 March 2010.
The Marion Norby Fund is enabling STC to offer help to another 150 members affected by the economic recession. STC will award up to 100 Full Recovery Packages and up to 50 Subsidy Recovery Packages.
- Full Recovery Package: Basic dues—a $215 value ($160 value for those in the developing countries listed in the STC membership application)
- Subsidy Recovery Package: The difference between the Basic dues rate of $150 (2009 dues) and $215 (2010)—a $65* value for all members regardless of location
For full details, eligibility requirements, and information on how to apply, see the Recovery Package page on the STC website.
by stc-office on 15 March 2010
Guest post by Cheryl Landes, STC Associate Fellow and Senior Member, Puget Sound and Boston Chapters
Regardless of the state of the economy, companies hire temporary, or contract, technical communicators. We’re hired to work on special projects, to help during major product releases, to fill in during a regular employee’s absence, or to help a start-up company or new technical communications department set up its documentation processes.
Last year, despite the economic downturn, 2.01 million contract workers were employed daily nationwide, according to the American Staffing Association. In the fourth quarter, sales from contracting employment were $14.5 billion, an increase of 8.6% from the previous quarter. During the quarter, contracting payrolls rose “at nearly four times the rate of overall employment in the U.S. economy.”* And the demand is expected to continue to grow.
Staffing agencies place most contract employees in these assignments, which can last from a month to a year or more, depending on the client’s needs. Contracts are often extended. For example, my current contract was scheduled for one month. Three months later, I am still working there, and it appears that I will continue through the end of the year.
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by stc-office on 12 March 2010
Scott Nesbitt presents the Four Keys to Writing Quickly in his Words on a page blog.
Gryphon Mountain Journals talks about how to present a better face and become “the friendly neighborhood tech writer.”
Spiegel Online International writes about an airplane near-crash in Hamburg, Germany. Of particular interest to TC’ers is a focus on inadequate documentation and its ramifications.
Media Bistro discusses a Columbia Journalism Review study that shows copying editing and fact checking are lacking in many magazines.
That leads us to this editorial cartoon, showing how the copy editors those magazines aren’t using might now be spending their days.
And finally, Sunday is Pi Day! Yes, March 14 is 3.14 in U.S.-style citation, matching up with the basic abbreviation of the mathematical pi. So take some time to appreciate the mathematics of circles, see how many digits of pi you can memorize, or have yourself a tasty piece of pi. And try not to overuse the old joke, “Πr2? No, pie are round!”
by stc-office on 10 March 2010
William Horton's award-winning image
Congratulations to STC Fellow William Horton, who recently won the Camera Obscura Journal’s Outstanding Professional Photography Award! His photograph is shown at left. Below is the press release announcing the award. Kudos, and keep on snapping pictures!
Press Release
William Horton, an STC Fellow and author of numerous books and articles on technical communication and e-learning, has won Camera Obscura Journal’s Outstanding Professional Photography Award, announced Monday, 1 March. Along with publication in the upcoming issue of the journal, Mr. Horton received a monetary prize.
The work, entitled “I’m Here!”, depicts a mother mountain goat coaxing her child up a sheer wall to join its sibling.
The semi-annual competition was open to professional and amateur photographers worldwide. The theme for this competition was the meaning of the word “Bond.”
“We received some great entries and narrowing down the finalists was a tough call,” said M.E. Parker, Editor in Chief of Camera Obscura.“The winner’s photograph as well as those of some of the finalists will appear in the journal in April,” added Mr. Parker.
When asked about the award, William said, “I am delighted and surprised by this award and the chance to share the poignant moment captured in this photograph.”
William Horton Photography primarily photographs classic cars, classic architecture, and classic landscapes. You can learn more about William and his organization at www.horton.com/photos. To view more of his photos, go to http://williamhorton.zenfolio.com or www.flickr.com/photos/williamhorton/.
Entry photograph: http://WilliamHorton.zenfolio.com/p914852303/e112a7d69.
by stc-office on 9 March 2010
Hey, have you ever thought of running for the Board?
It’s 9 March, and that means the STC elections open today! Be sure to check your email for the link to the ballot site and your special pass code to access it. Choosing the newest leaders to take STC into the future is always an important moment in our year, so please exercise your member right to do so and vote!
All this is making me remember when I was first approached about running for Director. I say “approached,” because it never entered my mind to do such a thing. I was quite happy managing one of the Society level international competitions, when a good friend (and then member of the Nominating Committee, or NomCom) thought I’d be a good candidate for the position. In fact, this person literally chased me through the Baltimore Convention Center to tell me so. There I was, wandering around, talking to people, browsing the bookstore, and making my way to the next session, when I thought I heard my name being called out. The voice got louder and louder and louder, until I was sure I heard my name! (It was a BIG hall.) I stopped and turned around; he stopped and caught his breath, and then he said, “Hey, have you ever thought of running for the Board? I think you would make a great Director!” I said, “Whuh? You chased me down the hall here to ask me that?” I was incredulous. But, that’s where and how it all started, in May 2004, and the rest, as they say, is history.
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by stc-office on 8 March 2010
Guest Post by Suzanna Laurent.
Have you ever wondered how some people accomplish so much more than others do? We all have the same amount of time, but we use that time differently. Some people just work smarter, not harder, so they use more of their potential.
We take our brains and their capacity for granted. For years, psychologists have been telling us that few people ever use more than 25 to 30 percent of their real potential. Even a genius like Albert Einstein claimed to use only 15 percent of his potential abilities, so we have a lot of untapped potential within us. “Just as seed requires light, heat, and nutrients from the soil to produce a new plant, the growth of your talents requires action, dedication, planning, and action on your part,” said Paul J. Meyer.
I’m not saying that success comes easily or quickly, but success can be yours if you want it enough and are willing to work for it. The unlimited potential you possess is available to everyone who reaches out for it.
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by stc-office on 5 March 2010
Author-it has released updates for Author-it, Author-it Live and Author-it Service Manager.
MadCap Software has a new release as well, with Flare 6.0 debuting. The MadCap website calls it the “first software to natively support documentation authoring and publishing for mobile devices.”
Doc-To-Help also has a new release, Doc-To-Help 2010, which focuses on teamwork and user control.
STC’s India chapter has updated its website; check it out!
STC Washington DC says, ”Come learn about social media and celebrate with the 2009-2010 WDC Chapter competition award winners on 13 March!” Click here for details and to register.
Flashlight Worthy has a list of Books for the Word Lover, including one by the 2010 Summit’s Keynote Speaker, Erin McKean.
And finally, in honor of National Grammar Day on 4 March, are two of my personal favorite Schoolhouse Rock grammar videos, Conjunction Junction and Lolly Lolly Lolly, Get your Adverbs Here.
