Why bother with end user documentation for Web Applications?

In Rahel Bailie’s excellent presentation at the STC Conference (“The New Face of Documentation“), she looked at the “No Documentation” approach to software user assistance. This, she summed up, as the “we don’t document it; we just fix it” view of software development. She argued that a “No Documentation” approach doesn’t lead to no documentation. Users soon… Read more »

Should technical authors embrace user generated content?

It may seem counter-intuitive, but we believe technical authors shouldn’t fear the trend towards user generated content. Let me explain why: 1. It could get you the attention of your CEO. October’s Harvard Business Review highlights an article called “The Contribution Revolution: Letting Volunteers Build Your Business” by Intuit CEO Scott Cook. User contribution is… Read more »