RSVPs Now Being Taken for Neil Perlin “Structured Authoring Without Framemaker or DITA” Workshop

Who: Orlando STC offers a full-day workshop by Neil Perlin (http://www.hyperword.com/), of “Beyond the Bleeding Edge” fame.

Topic: “Structured authoring” is a hot topic in tech comm. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of uncertainty about it, starting with defining 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 so important. 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.

When: Saturday, February 2, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where: Technical Communication Computer Lab, Colbourn Hall, UCF Orlando main campus

Cost: $155 for STC members, $200 for non-members. We need a minimum of 15 attendees to hold this workshop; there are a maximum of 20 spots available. You may pay with credit card via PayPal. If you choose this option there will be an additional $5 fee for members and $6 fee for non-members, to cover the PayPal surcharge costs. You may also pay by check. Please contact our treasurer, Mark Wray, at treasurer@stc-orlando.org for more details on payment.

Cancellations will be accepted up to 72 hours before this event, and workshop fees will be returned, minus any PayPal surcharges. AFTER THIS TIME, THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS. We have to cover our lab rental, administration, and food costs. NOTE: IF WE FALL SHORT OF 15 ATTENDEES, ALL FUNDS WILL BE RETURNED, MINUS THE PAYPAL SURCHARGES.

Deadline: Please make your RSVP and have your payment in by January 11. Remember – there are only 20 seats available. So RSVP early. (Last year we had a waiting list for the workshop!)

Details: You may bring a laptop if you wish, but computers will be provided. If you choose to bring a laptop, you need to let us know, because there is software you will need to preload. Once again – COMPUTERS WILL BE PROVIDED; BRINGING YOUR OWN LAPTOP IS OPTIONAL.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please let us know of any special dietary needs and we will do our best to accommodate.

If you do not have a UCF parking sticker, it will cost you $5 to park on campus.

RSVP: Please send your RSVP to our secretary, Cindy Skawinski, at secretary@stc-orlando.org. Cindy will then direct you to our treasurer, Mark Wray, to pay your workshop fee.

Additional details on directions, lunch options, and software preloads will be sent to attendees at a later date. Hope to see you at the workshop!