An Overview of Trends, Tools, and Technologies in Software User Assistance by Joe Welinske

The application of technical communication skills to the development of software user assistance has grown immensely in the past twenty years. This specialization is very fulfilling and challenging and technical communicators are finding their role in the software development process to be increasingly valued. User assistance is much more than "Help." It encompasses a wide range of skills and technologies that are combined to improve the software user's experience. We contribute through wizards, tutorials, and web-based training. We develop and populate knowledge bases and content management systems. Printed manuals and their PDF equivalents are still an important element of our documentation sets.

Many of us are now embedding helpful content directly into the user interface. We are involved with usability testing, localization, testing, quality assurance, and branding. This presentation provides a cutting-edge overview of the latest trends in software user assistance, defines the key terminology, highlights the most important technologies, and offers predictions on future directions of our field. The seventy-five minute session should be of interest to technical communicators of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Presentation

You can find a transcript of Joe's presentation here. The pass code is 7835.

Speaker bio

Joe Welinske is the president of WritersUA. WritersUA is a company devoted to providing training and information for user assistance professionals. The WritersUA/WinWriters Conference draws hundreds of attendees each year from around the world to share the latest in user assistance design and implementation. The free content on the WritersUA web site attracts over 20,000 visitors each month. Joe has been involved with software documentation development since 1984. Together with Scott Boggan and David Farkas, Joe authored two editions of the popular and pioneering book Developing Online Help for Windows. He has also taught online Help courses at the University of Washington, UC Santa Cruz, and Bellevue Community College. Joe received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1981, and a M.S. in Adult Instructional Management from Loyola University in 1987. Joe was the President of STC Puget Sound Chapter from 2006-2008 and remains on the board in charge of gathering chapter sponsorships.

Schedule

6:00 - 6:30 PM: Networking
6:30 - 7:45 PM: Program
8:00 - 9:00 PM: Optional dinner with Joe Welinske at Sâo Paulo's restaurant. Sâo Paulo's is at 2809 San Jacinto, and is walking distance from the meeting. www.saopaulos.net

Meeting location

University of Texas Campus, ECJ (Ernest Cockrell Junior) building
At the corner of Dean Keeton and San Jacinto [map]
The building sign reads Civil Architectural and Environmental Engineering
10th Floor, Engineering Foundation Room

Free parking after 5:45 pm in the faculty lot, east side of ECJ
For parking information, see http://www.utexas.edu/parking/maps/