• Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012
• Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Program begins at 7:00 p.m.
• Location: Innovate Calgary (formerly called CTI), 3553 – 31 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta (Map).
  • Directions: CTI is in University Research Park just north of the University of Calgary.
  • Transit: From Brentwood LRT station walk across the parking lot to CTI.
  • Parking: Free visitor parking available in front of the building.
• Cost:
  • STC Alberta Student Members: Free
  • STC Alberta Members, Affiliate Members, and Non-Member Students: $10
  • Other STC Members (Society Members): $15
  • Non-Members and Guests: $20
• Registration:  Online. Cash payment is due at the door.
• Contact: Rosalinda Hernandez, Program Manager

About the Presenter

Monty Nicol is a Senior Advisor, Visual Media at Suncor Energy, where he manages digital assets, digital signage, and works on special media projects. Monty has a knack for bringing simple yet innovative solutions to pressing communication challenges that mix copy, interactive, and video. His projects focus on bringing solutions that are easy to create and maintain, but are scalable as well. He has a passion for telling stories and connecting audiences to the information they need in unique and unexpected ways. Monty began his career with six years as a journalist at CNN, where he was one of the first few employees at CNN.com. He moved on to a successful advertising career in New York City, where he was interactive manager for Cadillac.com.

Program Details

• Date: May 24, 2012
• Time: 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., program begins at 6:30 p.m.
• Location:Edmonton Public Library, Strathcona Branch, 8331 – 104 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta (map)
  • Directions: The Strathcona Branch of the Edmonton Public Library is located in the heart of Old Strathcona.
  • Transit: ETS Trip Planner
  • Parking: Limited meter parking on the north side of the library; limited street parking on 104 Street (northbound service road); ample paid parking in the Farmer’s Market parking lot on the east side of 103 Street.
• Cost:
  • STC Alberta Student Members: Free
  • STC Alberta Members, Affiliate Members, and Non-Member Students: $10
  • Other STC Members (Society Members): $15
  • Non-Members and Guests: $20
• Registration:  Online. Please note that space is limited to 12 for this event. Due to the small limit for this venue, we will not be allowing special guests. Cash payment is due at the door.
• Contact: For more information about the event, contact Deanne Wilson, Edmonton Director

And there were plenty of other prizes!

• MadCap shirts
• Chocolate packages from Sweetly Speaking in Kensington
• USB sticks with laser engraved STC Alberta logo
• Technical books

The event was well attended; Linda was an engaging speaker which made for an enjoyable and interactive workshop full of discussion, questions, and a few funny stories. Thanks to everyone that attended and, of course, a big thanks to our organizer, Jeanne Gonnason. Job well done!

Read a good tech comm book lately?
Discovered some fabulous software?
We want to hear about it!

Cheers,
Jen

Jennifer Burgess
Lead Newsletter Editor
newsletter@stc-alberta.org

The first scholarship assists students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in technical communication (or a related area, such as professional writing or digital media) and the second assists students who are pursuing a graduate degree in technical communication (or a related area, such as professional writing or digital media). Students applying for one of these scholarships are expected to be able to demonstrate their focus on topics related to technical editing through their academic studies, current jobs, special projects, or undergraduate/graduate program. The winners will be announced in the Technical Editing SIG newsletter.

For more information on the scholarship program, please see the STC Technical Editing website:
http://www.stc-techedit.org/tiki-index.php?page=scholarship

Eligibility

The Technical Editing SIG Scholarship Committee evaluates applicants’ academic records and potential for contributing to the technical editing profession. To be eligible for a scholarship, an applicant must be:

• Enrolled in an undergraduate degree or graduate degree program related to technical editing or technical communication (students pursuing associate degrees, minors, or certificates are eligible to apply)
• Pursuing a career as a technical editor

Deadline for Application

The Technical Editing SIG is accepting scholarship applications for 2012. The deadline for submission is June 17, 2012. Winners will be notified in July 2012.

To Apply

Complete the online Scholarship Application at the STC Technical Editing SIG website:
http://www.stc-techedit.org/tiki-index.php?page=Application

Please submit any questions through the Comments or Questions form at the end of the scholarship information page:
http://www.stc-techedit.org/tiki-index.php?page=scholarship#Comments_or_Questions

Rebekka Andersen
Chair, STC Technical Editing SIG Scholarship Committee
randersen@ucdavis.edu

New Heights: April 20, 2012

Topic: Modern Editing: Improving Product Quality
Speaker: Linda Oestreich, B.A.

About the Workshop

This all-day workshop will focus on several aspects of editing that will help the novice and the experienced editor learn how editing has changed with the various communication mediums and technologies available in the 20-teens (if you bring your laptop, you can do the entire workshop online!). In addition to writing printed documentation, writing for the Internet is increasingly important these days. Think of:

• Blogs
• Wikis
• Web help
• Online user manuals
• Online training materials
• Digital magazines, newspapers, and books

Technical communicators edit all these materials, but how has editing changed since the more traditional days of manuscripts and a red pen? Our tools and constraints have changed, but do the fundamentals still apply? How have things changed since the last time you learned about editing? Anyone doing any form of editing, whether online or in print, will benefit from this workshop. If you need to brush up your editing skills, or you simply want to learn the right way to edit, register now. Note: If you registered during the Early Bird period, you will be automatically entered to win a copy of MadCap Flare, valued at $1000, generously donated to us by our sponsor MadCap Software! Check out the other prizes.

Come prepared to do editing exercises on your laptop (or paper handouts) and share your experiences. Here are some of the other topics this workshop will explore:

• What’s in your editorial toolbox?
• What’s your favourite style guide?
• How have the mechanics changed?
• What makes your product usable/readable?
• What are levels of edit, do they matter, and do you perform them all?
• What pieces of editing do we need to emphasize?
• What aspects do online editing, grammar, and spelling checkers help, and what do they hinder?
• How can we still do something of value within the constraints of time and money?
• How do you communicate with writers and subject matter experts so that you show respect and get respect in return?
• Do you edit online or on paper, and does it make a difference?
• What’s it like in today’s workplace for editors/editing?

In addition to getting a full copy of the slide presentation, plus the exercises provided in the workshop, you’ll also receive a list of resources and references to use in your day-to-day editing activities. Breakfast, lunch, drinks, and snacks will be provided. Register now!

About the Speaker

Linda Oestreich is an editing instructor from the University of California in San Diego. She has a diverse career filled with experiences as a technical editor and writer, business analyst, strategic planner, vice president, and consultant to name a few. In addition to this wealth of experience working for companies such as HP and BMC Software, Linda is also an STC Fellow and former STC President and Director.

It’s a Fact! Linda Oestreich is also one of two instructors who presents the Technical Editing Fundamentals online certificate program for STC at the Society level. That class, although more comprehensive, costs far more than you’ll pay to receive the same expertise that Linda shares with that group–and it’s live! We are all excited that Linda will be here with us. We hope you can join this lively class and take advantage of Linda’s expertise in person!

If you’re not a member, you can have all New Heights updates emailed directly to you, sign up for our email list by emailing the STC Alberta President. If you are a member, you’re already signed up to receive emails through the member list.

Testimonials

“…this was the best, most active, and most informative…classes. This was my third online class, too, and I learned so much. …I’m also trying to get on the waitlist for Linda’s other course, Information Design for Technical Communicators. I’m hoping I get in!” – Shery R.

“I have been very happy with this class and with the instructor. I’ve learned much more than I had expected.” – Anon

“Linda was very helpful and approachable. I enjoyed the class!” – Anon

“I was impressed with the instructor’s knowledge of the subject material and her ability to…professionally present the material while still maintaining a sense of humour.” – Anon

Workshop Details

• Date: Friday, April 20, 2012
• Time:
  • 8:00 a.m. Registration and breakfast
  • 8:30 a.m. Workshop starts
  • Break
  • 12:00 p.m. Lunch
  • 1:00 p.m. Workshop resumes
  • Break (snacks)
  • 4:30 p.m. Workshop finishes

Note: If you have any dietary restrictions, please email Jeanne Gonnason by April 16th at the latest.

• Location: University of Calgary. Schulich School of Engineering, Room ENC123. (Interactive Map)
• Parking: On campus, the closest parking lot is L11 at a day rate of $5.00 ($3.00 for carpoolers). You can also use L10 which is a few minutes further away (same fees). (Parking Map), then walk (5 minutes) to the venue. Off campus parking is available nearby: Park at Innovate Calgary’s Visitor lot for free (then walk [15 minutes] or bus to U of C). (Map highlighting parking options. Note that Innovate Calgary was formerly known as Calgary Technologies as shown on the map.)
• Public Transportation:
  • Bus Routes: 9, 20, 22, 37, 43, 72, 73, 91, 122, 137, 143, 408
    -these routes go along 32 ave, North of the Engineering Building.
  • Train Stations: University of Calgary, and Brentwood
    -both stations are within a 15-20-minute walking distance, but combined with bus service will be faster.
• Prerequisites: None: This workshop is aimed at all levels of experience. If you are bringing your laptop, don’t forget the power cord! Wireless access is available on campus.
• Cost: See Registration Rates below.
• Registration: Seats are limited to 35 attendees. Register online.

Registration Rates

*Affiliate members are listed on our Partners page.
**This rate applies only if you live more than 50 km from Calgary.
***If you are a student in a communication program, this rate applies to you. You MUST bring your student ID to the workshop to confirm this rate.

Register online now!

Questions?

Contact Jeanne Gonnason, New Heights Manager.

Past New Heights Workshops

• New Heights 2011 – “The Treasure and the Hunt: Content as an Extension of User Experience”. Presenter: Rahel Anne Bailie.
• New Heights 2010 – “Instructional Design”. Presenter: Bernard Aschwanden.

Program Details

• Date: April 10, 2012
• Time: 7:00 p.m. to midnight
• Location: Commonwealth Bar & Stage (733 10 Ave SW, Calgary) (Map). Plenty of street and lot parking around the building
• Cost: Ticket price includes an assortment of canapés and one drink ticket
  • CAFE Members: $15
  • STC Alberta Members: $15
  • Non-Members: $20
• Registration: RSVP online no later than April 5.
• Contact: calgaryeditors@gmail.com
• More Information: www.calgaryeditors.com/events

• The return of STC Alberta’s mentorship program
• One of our long-time members receiving the STC Distinguished Chapter Service Award
• Details for New Heights 2012
• What’s the difference between writing and being a writer?
• And much more

Thanks for reading and see you at New Heights!

Jennifer Burgess, Lead Newsletter Editor

Flare comes as an electronic download from MadCap’s website and includes the complete software, online help, and a User Manual in PDF format.

And there are more prizes!

• MadCap shirts
• Movie theatre tickets (for two)
• Chocolate packages from Sweetly Speaking in Kensington
• USB sticks with laser engraved STC Alberta logo
• Technical books

Program Details

• Date: April 19, 2012
• Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., program runs from 6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Location: Innovate Calgary (formerly called CTI), 3553 – 31 Street NW (Map)
• Innovate Calgary is in the University Research Park. There is free visitor parking in front of the building. If you are taking the LRT, get off at the Brentwood station; Innovate Calgary is across the parking lot.
• Cost:
  • STC Alberta Student Members: Free
  • STC Alberta Members, Affiliate Members, and Non-Member Students: $10
  • Other STC Members (Society Members): $15
  • Non-Members: $20
  • Special Guests: *Free with a paying attendee (maximum 1 Special Guest per paying attendee)
• Registration: Online. For those bringing a Special Guest, email newheights@stc-alberta.org and provide your Special Guest’s name (Special Guests should not register separately). Cash payment is due at the door.
• Contact: For more information about the event, contact Jeanne Gonnason, New Heights Manager.