The Orlando Chapter would like to invite you to attend a workshop featuring Neil Perlin (of Beyond the Bleeding Edge fame) this February 2. Neil will be in town on vacation, and as such, has agreed to present to us on the topic of our choice at a MUCH reduced rate. We held a similar workshop last year and it went off wonderfully.

If you are interested in either of the options that Neil has offered to present, please respond with your top choice and we’ll see which ends up the most popular. The topic choices are Captivate 3 and structured authoring. While both are wonderful options, we have to select one for our workshop.

The cost for the workshop will be $140 for student members, $150 for members and non-member students, and $170 for non-members, which includes breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials. (This is a rate increase over last year’s workshop, reflecting an increase in Neil’s prices; however, it is a 2/3 savings over his normal fees, since he’s doing this workshop while in town on vacation!)

Below is more information on the two topic choices, and what you can expect to learn at the workshop. Please email your preference to vicepresident@stc-orlando.org or simply reply to this email. And while this vote does not commit anyone to attending, we are hoping to hear from those who may potentially attend. (Last year’s workshop had a waiting list!)

Option 1

Structured Authoring Without Framemaker or DITA

“Structured authoring” is a hot topic in tech comm. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of uncertainty about something as basic as what it even is. For some groups in tech comm, the answer to any question about structured authoring is either “get Frame” or “use DITA.” But what if budget limits or company culture or politics prevent you from switching to Frame or DITA?

This workshop starts by explaining why structured authoring is important at all. It then looks at three definitions of structured authoring that don’t involve Frame or DITA, discusses the cultural, strategic, political, and strategic issues that will drive your selection of one of those definitions and then the tools, and ends by proposing an integrated – technology and business aspects – process for moving to structured authoring.

Outline

Introduction to Structured Authoring

Pros of structured authoring.

Cons of structured authoring.

Why it applies to any writing, including outside high-tech.

Definitions

Three definitions of structured authoring.

How to pick the appropriate definition based on your company’s intent and culture.

Some Underlying Technologies and Concepts

Templates

CSS

XML and DITA

Metadata

CMS

Chunking and granularity

Controlled vocabularies

Writing

Information typing

Tools

Option 2

Creating Visual Training Using Captivate 3

Captivate 3 lets you quickly and inexpensively create “movies”, interactive simulations, even complex eLearning, for training for software and HR soft skills like role-playing, among other subjects. This workshop introduces Captivate 3’s major features and walks you through the process of creating a demonstration-style movie for training purposes.

Outline

Overview

• What is Captivate?
• Applications of Captivate.
• Planning and Design

Major Features

• Captivate Overview
• Screen Capture
• Frame “Annotation” Features
• Timing Control
• Generating Output
• Overview of interactivity and eLearning features

Kelli Pharo
STC Orlando Chapter VP and Programs Manager
vicepresident@stc-orlando.org