Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
Do you notice that it sets the amount of time the trip will take to account for its suggested method of crossing the Atlantic? John G Dick Margulis wrote: Whenever the subject of humor comes up, tech writers break into camps--the Never camp; the Possible but Tricky and Best to Avoid camp; the Right for Some Products camp. I'm in the Precept and Example camp. I figure if we examine great examples, we can learn something. So, without further ado... 1. Point your browser to http://maps.google.com/. 2. Click the Get Directions link. 3. Enter New York in the From box. 4. Enter London in the To box. 5. Click the Get Directions button. 6. Put down your coffee. 7. Scroll to step 23. Dick http://www.dmargulis.com/ http://ampersandvirgule.blogspot.com/ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
I think Google missed a marketing opportunity. And, Google didn't do that for left-coast directions, which discriminates against those folks and might be annoying. Finally, how, m, sophisticated is your audience that you expect them to google directions from New York to London? Cheers, Sean P.S. Yes, am just kidding. I think the whole affair is very cute. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dick Margulis Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 6:21 AM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm Whenever the subject of humor comes up, tech writers break into camps--the Never camp; the Possible but Tricky and Best to Avoid camp; the Right for Some Products camp. I'm in the Precept and Example camp. I figure if we examine great examples, we can learn something. So, without further ado... DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
There is no way I could successfully swim 3,400 miles in 29 days, even without the sharks. dave. On 4/19/07, John Garison [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Do you notice that it sets the amount of time the trip will take to account for its suggested method of crossing the Atlantic? John G Dick Margulis wrote: Whenever the subject of humor comes up, tech writers break into camps--the Never camp; the Possible but Tricky and Best to Avoid camp; the Right for Some Products camp. I'm in the Precept and Example camp. I figure if we examine great examples, we can learn something. So, without further ado... 1. Point your browser to http://maps.google.com/. 2. Click the Get Directions link. 3. Enter New York in the From box. 4. Enter London in the To box. 5. Click the Get Directions button. 6. Put down your coffee. 7. Scroll to step 23. Dick http://www.dmargulis.com/ http://ampersandvirgule.blogspot.com/ __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
Slightly modified: 1. Point your browser to http://maps.google.com/. 2. Click the Get Directions link. 3. Enter your zip code in the From box. 4. Enter 48169 in the To box. 5. Click the Get Directions button. Forward these instructions to anyone who really ticks you off today. --- :-) Carla - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
So ... what's so bad about Pinkney, Michigan? Martinek, Carla wrote: Slightly modified: 1. Point your browser to http://maps.google.com/. 2. Click the Get Directions link. 3. Enter your zip code in the From box. 4. Enter 48169 in the To box. 5. Click the Get Directions button. Forward these instructions to anyone who really ticks you off today. --- :-) Carla - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
Humor has a place anywhere, as long as you do not confuse a part of your audience that would not be confused without the humor present. --- Chris Vickery [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Humor certainly has a place in lighter web apps like Yahoo! Maps. User Interface design blog http://user-advocacy.blogspot.com/ Code::Design::UI::Consulting http://www.dionysius.com/ __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
I disagree. Humor is subjective and open to interpretation, and in some cases you do not want people to misinterpret cetain instructions. Nor in some cases do you want to distract from the information being presented. There is a time and a place for everything. On 4/19/07, Chris Borokowski [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Humor has a place anywhere, as long as you do not confuse a part of your audience that would not be confused without the humor present. -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com avid homebrewer and proud beer snob I see your OOO message and raise you a clue. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
Well, that sounds typically American to me. What your humour has to be is less Three Stooges, less Benny Hill, less Mr. Bean, less laugh track, and more ... subtle, more inside, more high brow. For example, not the following: 1) Click File Compact. This feature doesn't work because we employed a cut-rate programmer who could only program in B-, not C+ /baddaboom!laugh track / Instead, write: 1) To use the File, Compact menu, click File, unremarkable clickable popup to developer's mobile number and perhaps a compromising photoCompact/unremarkable clickable popup Compact. When prompted by the blue screen, turn off your computer's power, wait 60 seconds, then turn it back on. no laugh track or baddaboom! / Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bill Swallow Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:20 PM To: Chris Borokowski Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm I disagree. Humor is subjective and open to interpretation, and in some cases you do not want people to misinterpret cetain instructions. Nor in some cases do you want to distract from the information being presented. There is a time and a place for everything. On 4/19/07, Chris Borokowski [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Humor has a place anywhere, as long as you do not confuse a part of your audience that would not be confused without the humor present. DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
Is don't quit your day job too American? I kid Chris -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brierley, Sean Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:53 PM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm Well, that sounds typically American to me. What your humour has to be is less Three Stooges, less Benny Hill, less Mr. Bean, less laugh track, and more ... subtle, more inside, more high brow. For example, not the following: 1) Click File Compact. This feature doesn't work because we employed a cut-rate programmer who could only program in B-, not C+ /baddaboom!laugh track / Instead, write: 1) To use the File, Compact menu, click File, unremarkable clickable popup to developer's mobile number and perhaps a compromising photoCompact/unremarkable clickable popup Compact. When prompted by the blue screen, turn off your computer's power, wait 60 seconds, then turn it back on. no laugh track or baddaboom! / Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bill Swallow Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:20 PM To: Chris Borokowski Cc: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm I disagree. Humor is subjective and open to interpretation, and in some cases you do not want people to misinterpret cetain instructions. Nor in some cases do you want to distract from the information being presented. There is a time and a place for everything. On 4/19/07, Chris Borokowski [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Humor has a place anywhere, as long as you do not confuse a part of your audience that would not be confused without the humor present. DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
LOL! It could be worse, you never heard me sing. Actually, my point was (a legitimate on-topic one) that I need to see examples from those who believe humour can be worked into technical communications. (Beyond the Google one, that is.) Cos, without examples, I'm with Bill. Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: Chris Vickery [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:25 PM To: Brierley, Sean; tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: RE: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm Is don't quit your day job too American? I kid Chris -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brierley, Sean Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:53 PM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm Well, that sounds typically American to me. What your humour has to be is less Three Stooges, less Benny Hill, less Mr. Bean, less laugh track, and more ... subtle, more inside, more high brow. For example, not the following: 1) Click File Compact. This feature doesn't work because we employed a cut-rate programmer who could only program in B-, not C+ /baddaboom!laugh track / Instead, write: 1) To use the File, Compact menu, click File, unremarkable clickable popup to developer's mobile number and perhaps a compromising photoCompact/unremarkable clickable popup Compact. When prompted by the blue screen, turn off your computer's power, wait 60 seconds, then turn it back on. no laugh track or baddaboom! / DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
I wrote a manual with cartoons in it, does that count? :) The previous version of the manual was so poorly written that no one would touch it. When I wrote the new one, I wanted to make sure our service techs and customers knew it was a different manual. Each chapter has a cartoon on the first page. One shows a guy putting away his tools as two other guys walk up. You're too late, guys. I got it all set up by myself, and I didn't even hafta use the manual! he boasts, while the other two stand astonished watching leaking cartons exiting the machine. One shows a guy standing in front of the control panel of the machine, looking at some hieroglyphic-looking icons. What do these mean? Who draws them, Martians??? he asks. (My first draft said, It's all Greek to me! but we were selling a machine to a company in Greece, so we had to change it. I think I'll be safe from such an offense with Martians.) I found it interesting, the cartoonist did some research and put actual hieroglyphics in the cartoon that meant, roughly, Give ye cakes and beer. Humor buried in humor... gotta love it. Oh, and for the record, we've had this manual translated into multiple languages. Each time, I tell the translator that if the cartoon is offensive, to take it out. Each time, they've said they love it, and it's stayed in the manual, translated. Now, it would be interesting to see how they did that. If anyone knows Korean, Chinese, Greek, Spanish, or French and wants to see how it was translated, let me know! Lisa G. Quoting Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED]: LOL! It could be worse, you never heard me sing. Actually, my point was (a legitimate on-topic one) that I need to see examples from those who believe humour can be worked into technical communications. (Beyond the Google one, that is.) Cos, without examples, I'm with Bill. Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: Chris Vickery [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 4:25 PM To: Brierley, Sean; tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: RE: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm Is don't quit your day job too American? I kid Chris -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brierley, Sean Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:53 PM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm Well, that sounds typically American to me. What your humour has to be is less Three Stooges, less Benny Hill, less Mr. Bean, less laugh track, and more ... subtle, more inside, more high brow. For example, not the following: 1) Click File Compact. This feature doesn't work because we employed a cut-rate programmer who could only program in B-, not C+ /baddaboom!laugh track / Instead, write: 1) To use the File, Compact menu, click File, unremarkable clickable popup to developer's mobile number and perhaps a compromising photoCompact/unremarkable clickable popup Compact. When prompted by the blue screen, turn off your computer's power, wait 60 seconds, then turn it back on. no laugh track or baddaboom! / DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe
Re: [TCP] Appropriate humor in tech comm
I wrote a manual with cartoons in it, does that count? :) How about pull-quotes? I wrote a serious manual on how to home-brew beer and wine...ran about 25 pages, as my final project for a tech writing course I took at a local college. I used a 2 left margin with sidehead headings. In the column of the first page of each section I included a quote, usualy similar to the following quotes: I don't drink...wine Count Dracula He was a wise man who invented beer. Plato 24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? Stephen Wright John Posada Senior Technical Writer They say everyone needs goals. Mine is to live forever. So far, so good. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DOCUMENTATION TRAINING WEST 07: THE USER EXPERIENCE April 18-21, 2007 ~ Vancouver BC ~ Marriott Pinnacle ~ free city tour 40+ sessions * free workshops * free iPod offer * www.doctrain.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
