Author Archives: Ivan Walsh

How Outsourcing Can Boost Your Tech Writing Career

Daily rates for Technical Writers

Image by Ivan Walsh via Flickr Most technical writers see outsourcing as a real threat. But, if you look at it from another angle, it’s one huge business opportunity.

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How to Add your site to Bing's Directory Listing

To add your site to Bing, Microsoft’s new search engine: Continue reading

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Difference between a Case Study and a White Paper

  Can tell me the difference between a case study and a white paper. I read your case study overview and am having a hard time differentiating between them. If you have a minute, can you clarify?

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How to agree on a Statement of Work

Question: I have an short term contract to develop Standard Operating Procedures but the statement of work is very light.  Any suggestion on questions to ask in kick off meeting to assure preparing best documentation for client?

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Table of Contents doesn’t work in Word

Here’s a common problem with MS Word.  For some unknown reason, the Table of Contents (which was there this morning) is now gone. When you look at the page in Word, you might see this error message: { TOC\O "2-4"\H … Continue reading

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Using Microsoft Word to Create Large Documents – Lesson 1

I’m often asked for tips on how to write large documents in Microsoft Word? From what I have see, the main issues with creating long docs in Word tend to involve formatting, styles, graphics, tables, and bullets. Formatting — cutting/pasting … Continue reading

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Creating Content for Mobile Devices

IDC (International Data Corporation) recently estimated the total number of all handheld devices shipped worldwide will exceed 24.8 million this year. By combining software and design principles, companies are planning to extend their enterprise and Web-based applications to handheld computers … Continue reading

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10 Steps For High Impact Proposals

This guide is designed to help you write a Request For Proposals (RFP) in clear English. Its objective is to help you write and format an RFP that your target audience can understand in one reading. Use Plain language techniques … Continue reading

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Using the WRONG tone in your emails

When writing emails, what you actually write and what you mean to say can come across as quite different. “But what I meant was…” Too late! The damage has been done. The impact of the words you use will have … Continue reading

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How to Write Web Content

This article explains how to write content and how to tailor content to online audiences. The primary differences between web-based text content and printed media are related to: Hypertext — users have the ability to jump to another page with … Continue reading

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How to Evaluate Your Competitor’s Web site

Use this list to evaluate your competitor’s websites so you can create a site that gives you the edge over them. Brand — does the site add or detract from the companies brand equity? Content — does the quality of … Continue reading

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How to Improve Webpage Content

Design for Standard Screen Resolutions Most users have their settings set to 600×800 pixels. If you design your site for screen resolutions wider than this remember to accommodate those who will not see the off-screen data. Users get tired when … Continue reading

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Windows Desktop Search: Add-in for Lotus Notes

The Windows Desktop Search Add-in for Lotus Notes is a protocol handler that allows you to index the content of Lotus Notes e-mail, contacts, calendar items, and journal items stored on your computer. Once you have installed this Add-in, Windows … Continue reading

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Index Adobe PDF documents with Microsoft indexing clients

iFilter is now bundled within the Acrobat and Reader products. Improvements to iFilter in Acrobat and Reader 8 include support for Vista and Windows Desktop Search, as well as improved performance and stability. Adobe® PDF IFilter lets your index Adobe … Continue reading

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Document Conversion Service providers

Advanced Computer InnovationsThe company’s Windows-based software products are sold to end-users as highly accurate off-the-shelf solutions. Advanced Computer Innovations, Inc. also provides data conversion and custom programming services, including an online conversion service. http://www.acii.com Data Conversion LaboratoryEnable data for the … Continue reading

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How to setup a Table as a Worksheet in Word 2000

This article explains how to create simple worksheets in Microsoft Word by using tables and the Formula (=) field. In these worksheets, you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide values entered in cells. “Individual cells are referenced by column letter … Continue reading

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You cannot open a document in Microsoft Word 2003

The Microsoft Support center offers very details instructions on how to overcome this. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926909/en-us?spid=2530&sid=106

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How to add Date Calculations into Word

View Woody’s Lounge and learn how to enter date & time calculations in Word. You can download the samples in a zip file. Topics covered include: Date & Time Field Basics Converting Gregorian Calendar Dates To Julian Day Numbers Converting … Continue reading

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2 FrameMaker Tutorials

Learn to apply master pages automatically Thsi tutorial shows you how to apply master pages automatically. Let FrameMaker do the job based on the paragraph tags you’re already using. Also, if you have one file with multiple formats? Repurpose your … Continue reading

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Creating layers in PageMaker

Adobe PageMaker 6.5 includes a powerful new Layers tool with countless applications. This online video tutorial will show you three tips: 1. Multiple versions2. Sequencing control3. Layered communication Go to http://www.adobe.com/ap/print/tips/pmklayers/

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