210 likes | 331 Views
Pop Quiz. You want to refer generically to a program that manages electronic mailing lists. You choose: ListServ Listserv listserv listserve listserver. The E-Newsletter. The ‘Technically Write’ Way. Technically Write. Newsletter of the Lone Star chapter (STC) Now in its 20 th volume
E N D
Pop Quiz You want to refer generically to a program that manages electronic mailing lists. You choose: • ListServ • Listserv • listserv • listserve • listserver
The E-Newsletter The ‘Technically Write’ Way
Technically Write • Newsletter of the Lone Star chapter (STC) • Now in its 20th volume • Exclusively online since 2001 • Saves production $$$ • More real-time • Accepts ‘late-breaking’ news • Simple to produce (for the initiated)
Doug Dow, Managing Editor • 1996: Produced three proof-of-concept HTML editions (Sept.-Nov.) called ‘Technically Wired’ • Used Hot Dog HTML editor. Manually managed links. • Discontinued when effort proved too time consuming
Doug Dow, Managing Editor • 1996 – 1998: Learned principles of good online document design through IPIC (Internet Professional Interest Committee) and other sources • 2001: Tasked by LSC executive council to take Technically Write online – “or else…” • Found Author-IT software at Chicago STC convention
Author-IT • Single-sourcing with Content Management • Object-oriented • Inputs: • Word • FrameMaker • Text (ASCII, e-mail) • Outputs • HTML • Word • Many others
Author-IT: Advantages • Quickly produces professional-looking output • Manages all links automatically • No tinkering with HTML • Affordable: $200 for stand-alone license • Reusable objects, including topics, links, graphics
Author-IT: Objects • Kinds of objects managed by Author-IT • Topic (text) • File (graphics, OLE objects such as movies, PowerPoints, spreadsheets, etc.) • Link (urls) • Table of Contents (TOC panel) • Book (containers to hold the above) • Others not used in TW (glossary, title page, index, macro)
Author-IT: Libraries • All projects stored in “libraries” • ADL = AIT data library, a Microsoft JET database • Object templates can be restricted • Shared objects folder for frequently reused objects
Author-IT: Interface • Drag ‘n drop
Author-IT: Output • Default output (HTML)
Author-IT: Output • Most templates, paragraph styles, fonts, colors, etc. have not been modified. • Exceptions include • Background color • Contents icons • Contents panel tabs (removed)
Author-IT: Output • Almost ‘out-of-the-box’
Technically Write Tweaks • Added objects for L and R placement of GIFs and JPGs • Used ‘What’s This’ help template object for pop-up bios • Added ‘Jump to New Window’ template object for navigating to external content
Author-IT Enables TW • To be timely, and on time • Changes can be made at the last second – sometimes beyond! • To be lively and link-filled • Links, as separate objects, are reusable • Inter-zine links created automatically • To be colorful and comprehensive • Graphics are easy to create and manage
Author-IT Enables TW • To take full advantage of Web technology • Feb. ’03: publish Debbie Wiles’ PowerPoint presentation on her trip to China • Summer ’02: publish AVI movies of Kathryn Poe’s “Coronation” • Frequently publish photo-rich albums of Lone Star STC events
Author-IT Enables TW • To fulfill its mission • to report to the chapter membership the activities of the STC and the Lone Star Chapter through words, pictures, and other Web-enabled media • to present timely and informative information • to be the collective memory of the Lone Star Chapter
Things that Make TW Work • Limited scrolling (JN) • Text in small chunks (JN) • Author bios (JN) • E-mail links need to be explicit • Constant “current” directory on server • Background color “off white” • Navigation: several methods, including Contents frame
The Technically Write Way • Demo • Questions