As technical communicators, this challenge most likely resonates with you -- how do you keep docs in sync with your product? In the words of Manny Silva, "When product updates are frequent and user expectations are high, maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation isn’t just a necessity—it’s a competitive advantage." Manny proposes. Docs as Tests, a strategy that keeps your docs in sync with your product. It’s a way to test your docs, just like engineers test their code. As Manny joins me,  we unravel the story of Doc Detective—an innovative tool that challenges the status quo by ..read more

The humble notes serve a larger purpose - be they a simple list, recipes,  or essential information we jot down for later recall and planning. We sit down with Jorge Arango, the coauthor of Information Architecture for the Web and Beyond, to unlock the secrets of note-taking. Our first episode of the season with Jorge is more than a conversation; it's a roadmap to redefining how we handle the barrage of digital information overload.  His latest work, "Duly Noted," offers deep insights into how we benefit from good note-taking and note-making practices. We discuss the evolution of th ..read more

Prepare to step into the future of technical writing as we explore the ground-breaking intersection of AI and technical communication with Caity Cronkhite, CEO of GoodWords. As an entrepreneur and subject matter expert, Caity offers invaluable insights on how AI is revolutionizing the process of technical writing. While we touch upon the empowering facets of AI, Caity shares with us the valid concerns on data protection and risk understanding that are presented with AI. We also delve into the controversial topic of AI replacing staff in the technical communication space – a future that seems ..read more

Has your team decided to do away with visuals in product documentation? Or are you struggling to maintain visuals with the rapid and frequent pace of content updates? If so, then this episode is for you. Keeping up with a rapidly evolving tech landscape and maintaining relevant visual content can be daunting. But, the power of visuals can't be undermined. In this insightful conversation, Daniel Foster shares how TechSmith is harnessing the power of AI in its software to create an efficient, streamlined process for creating visuals. From AI-assisted video editing to audio improvement, understa ..read more

Are you curious about simple ways to make your content universally accessible? Or perhaps you're keen to get a fresh perspective on understanding accessibility? Join us as Lindsey White, an accomplished technical writer,  shares her in-depth insights and experiences from her stint managing a department website at Cornell University. We explore the significance of universal design and consider how content can be accessible to all users. Lindsey sheds light on the nuances of intentional language choices and the application of accessibility best practices. Lindsey shares the intriguing conc ..read more

Ever wonder how AI tools can give you an edge in content creation? Join us as I chat with Matt Thomas, who has journeyed from the realm of technical writing to the world of copywriting and content creation. Unveiling the secrets of his craft, Matt shares how he brings innovation and brainstorming to the fore in copy creation. Get a glimpse of his creative process, where he uses AI tools to create and curate content for LinkedIn posts and copywriting. If you are curious about how to optimize prompt engineering or looking for valuable tips to create actionable content, this episode is a must-l ..read more

Curious about the future of technical communication in the rapidly evolving AI landscape? Today's episode with our talented guest, Ryan Boettger, a distinguished professor and department chair at the University of North Texas, promises to enlighten you. Ryan is a ‘prompt engineer,’ someone who acts as the valuable link between AI and humans. From his unique perspective informed by a rich background in linguistics and technical communication, Ryan brings you the latest on how socio-linguistics can inform research and curriculum related to AI. We discuss the value and challenges of Technical Co ..read more

The show notes for this episode were created with the help of Cohost AI from Buzzsprout. Ever wondered how networking and vulnerability can open doors to incredible writing opportunities? Join me as I chat with the incredibly talented Kathleen Majorsky, a writer who has recently forayed into user-testing of AI tools which is both inspiring and eye-opening. By confronting her fears and setting daily goals, Kathleen has been able to learn and engage in different types of AI writing tools. Companies take note - listening to users like Kathleen can lead to invaluable insights and improvements. L ..read more

Shaughn Kern, my nerdy friend, graces my latest episode. As a technical writer and a code geek, Shaughn has been experimenting with ChatGPT to simplify and automate mundane parts of his day-to-day. In this heart-to-heart conversation, Shaughn shares some great examples that any technical writer can use to move on from the mundane and get creative with ChatGPT's assistance. If you are a technical writer wondering how you can leverage ChatGPT, or for that matter any AI tool, this episode is a must-listen for you. Highlights of the conversation you don't want to miss: Examples of how Shaughn us ..read more

As AI tools make their mark on every business function, there is an equal proportion of excitement and fear. In the midst of this chaos, it is imperative we take a step back and consider pointers from our translation expert on what AI can and cannot offer. AI may not be the magic pill after all, at least, for the translation industry. Let's dive in. Some questions we dug into: What are some exotic languages you have translated into? Is the translation process the same for an exotic language versus a European language? What's the future of AI-assisted translation? When should one consider mac ..read more