When I started in tech writing, it was generally accepted that Times New Roman was THE font to use for printed manuals. No ifs, buts, or maybe – Times New Roman size 11. Today, I make my living write on the web. So, what’s the best font for writing on the web? If you look [...]

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The 2007 Microsoft Office system update fixes conversion issues that occur with Microsoft Word documents. It fixes conversion issues that occur with Word documents. Note: As there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. 1. Click Start, and then click Search. 2. In the Search Results window, [...]

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Zeverix Solutions released WordOutput 1.0, software for automating the output of Microsoft Word documents to printer and PDF. WordOutput automatically outputs multiple Microsoft Word documents to the selected printer. With virtual PDF printers, such as Adobe PDF, you can automate the creation of PDF files from Word. It also lets you e-mail or fax multiple [...]

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Amanda asks, “I’m setting up a Tech Pubs Dept for a Financial Services company. What is the best style guide to encourage the staff to use?” Frist off, the main benefit of adopting a style guide is that it puts guidelines in place to ensure consistency across all documents that go out the door. Sounds [...]

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Writing for the Web requires new a different approach to the writing process. Before you start writing web content, try to understand the basics of information architecture and how navigation systems work. On the web, write in small digestible chucks, which fit into the information hierarchy. To create your hierarchy, outline the website as you [...]

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Technical writers write technical documents that explain complex issues in simple, plain English. Technical writers – also know as Technical Authors or Information Designers – write material that supports software and hardware systems. They design, write and produce material that is delivered in print, soft-copy or as Online Help, such as that found in the [...]

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Jane R. in Texas asks for some tips on interviewing tech writers, especially when using assessment tests. Her company is about to hire their first full-time writer and they have not done this before. I’ve worked on both sides on the fence in the past, (i.e. interviewed and been interviewed) and picked up a few [...]

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James in North Carolina asks, “In Word, the Table of Contents is not displayed. Instead, I get an error message: { TOC\O “2-4″\H \Z \T “HEADING 1,1″}. How do I fix this? Is it a bug? “ I think the problem is to do with Field Codes. Here are three suggestions: 1. In Word, go [...]

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