From thielk at uwstout.edu Thu Feb 1 19:50:23 2007 From: thielk at uwstout.edu (Katie M. Thiel) Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 19:50:23 -0700 Subject: SIG New Member Message-ID: Hello, My name is Katie Thiel, and I recently joined this SIG as a networking opportunity. I am a senior in the Technical Communication program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. I am graduating in May, and I am hoping to find a technical writer position in Madison, WI. From srtconsulting at sympatico.ca Fri Feb 2 14:00:01 2007 From: srtconsulting at sympatico.ca (Shelley Therriault) Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 16:00:01 -0500 Subject: Bio information Message-ID: As a newcomer to this group, here is a brief introduction of my work experience. I've been a contractor specializing in tech writing and copy editing for the past 12 years. Prior to this, I was a senior operations consultant for a major Canadian financial institution and was responsible for quality and process improvement initiatives for head office departments. This work experience continues to creep into my current contracting responsibilities. When documenting processes, I inevitably uncover opportunities for improvement and as a value add for my clients, I provide any findings and recommended solutions. I am interested in this SIG to continue to expand my level of expertise and to share whatever knowledge I have in this area. Shelley From pascale.bijoux at gmail.com Sat Feb 3 09:16:25 2007 From: pascale.bijoux at gmail.com (Pascale) Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2007 11:16:25 -0500 Subject: Welcome to the Quality SIG Message-ID: <6d10c9f50702030816y695bf0fao2adbd93d819c6a49@mail.gmail.com> Hi Shelley, Welcome to the Quality SIG. My name is Pascale, I am a Senior Member of STC and a Quality SIG member for some time now. I specialize in TW and Translation (with Quality, Process and Standards thrown into the mix). I offer services to a wide range of clients (mostly in Montreal). I recently jumped into the freelance world full-time and I am always looking for tips from more seasoned colleagues on how to broach these last three topics with clients, how to explain what areas need some structure (in spite of their reluctance). I look forward to your input. Thank you, Pascale TRADCO (http://tradcopb.tripod.com/) Giving you the right words! From sharon.lynn at shawgrp.com Mon Feb 5 15:12:31 2007 From: sharon.lynn at shawgrp.com (Sharon Lynn) Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 15:12:31 -0700 Subject: Information storage and retrieval discussion. Message-ID: I would like to ask the group if anyone has an opinion or an interest in discussing/solving this problem. What if my company built a power plant 20 years ago for X Company and now they come to us and say they want up to update the facility. We don't know where to find the plans for that 20-year-old plant. In addition, X Company was bought out by another company and now goes by another name. What can we do today to prevent this from happening 20 years from now? How do we store information today (CADD and Word and other files) so that we can retrieve it 20 years from now? Also, are there other questions like this that you have that we might discuss this year? Sharon Lynn Technical Editor Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. 3010 Briarpark, Suite 4N Houston, Texas 77042 713.996.4428 direct 225.987.3984 faxcom (In Box) 713.996.4436 fax www.shawgrp.com From cdunovant at earthlink.net Mon Feb 5 19:17:08 2007 From: cdunovant at earthlink.net (Christina (Christy) V. Dunovant) Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 19:17:08 -0700 Subject: Introduction Message-ID: I recently joined STC as a student member. I am pursuing a master?s degree in the University of North Carolina-Charlotte Technical/Professional Writing program. My undergraduate degree is in journalism. I have worked in healthcare for 10 years and currently facilitate process improvement teams using Six Sigma, failure mode & effects analysis, process management, and root cause analysis. I am pursuing Six Sigma Green Belt certification. I am looking forward to learning more about using technical communication to improve processes. Christy Dunovant From ann at annlwiley.com Tue Feb 6 00:13:59 2007 From: ann at annlwiley.com (Ann L. Wiley Consultants Inc.) Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 02:13:59 -0500 Subject: Information storage and retrieval discussion. References: Message-ID: <002001c749be$6462a9f0$6600a8c0@ACERTMate> This is such a great question. With all the emphasis on content management and document management systems, and the fact that every business has a document retention policy of some kind, I can't think of another instance in which someone has asked about storing information so it can be found in twenty years if it's needed. In my own situation, I can retrieve the work I've done since 1963, which is when I started keeping files systematically. Recently I've kept only the high points on paper, and that can affect retrieval in future years. Among the archives I keep is that of the Rochester Chapter of STC, and the past few years are entirely electronic, though I've committed to printing in time to save everything if there are drastic changes in file format in future years. I should add that I'm a librarian, so I may have more interest in keeping things and being able to find them than others do. What's your situation? Do you have a retention policy? Is it easy to retrieve information when you need it? Do you apply a quality process or improvement processes to planning and maintaining your archive? Ann ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharon Lynn" To: "STC Quality and Process Improvement SIG Discussion List" Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 5:12 PM Subject: [stcqsig-l] Information storage and retrieval discussion. >I would like to ask the group if anyone has an opinion or an interest in > discussing/solving this problem. > > What if my company built a power plant 20 years ago for X Company and now > they come to us and say they want up to update the facility. We don't know > where to find the plans for that 20-year-old plant. In addition, X Company > was bought out by another company and now goes by another name. > > What can we do today to prevent this from happening 20 years from now? How > do we store information today (CADD and Word and other files) so that we > can retrieve it 20 years from now? > > Also, are there other questions like this that you have that we might > discuss this year? From SaunnieD at PrincetonSoftech.com Tue Feb 6 06:20:19 2007 From: SaunnieD at PrincetonSoftech.com (Saunnie Dunne) Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 08:20:19 -0500 Subject: information storage and retrieval discussion Message-ID: <1AA38854EAF5CD429414EB0FC922A4FF8592E7@PSTPRIEXCH1.psoftech.net> Several of my company's products involve the archiving of data from relational databases. While I am not a database expert, I've learned from working on the documentation for these products that large files such as CAD or Word files can be stored as large objects (Lobs) in a relational database along with the software needed to retrieve the data in the large object. Of course a database that includes this sort of information has the potential to become enormous and unwieldy. Our products allow someone in the position you describe to remove older information offline until it is needed. Our products also provide the ability to index and search this offline data and bring back only the data of interest at the time it is needed. The combination of relational database and archiving capacity would allow your company to do what you propose without having to sort through the older data every time it went to retrieve something from its database. I suggest as a first step that you talk to someone who can explain relational databases and their LOB capabilities and potential. The design of relational databases is of the utmost importance and requires considerable expertise to do it right. Once the database is established, it can be modified to accommodate changing needs, as can the processes for archiving and retrieval of information in the database (at least with our products). I apologize for the commercials. Princeton Softech's products, however, are unique in their ability to resolve the difficulty you describe and I felt it appropriate to mention them. Saunnie Dunne Manager, Technical Documentation Group Princeton Softech 111 Campus Drive Princeton NJ 08540 USA 800.457.7060 609.627.5535 (direct) sdunne at princetonsoftech.com http://princetonsoftech.com I would like to ask the group if anyone has an opinion or an interest in discussing/solving this problem. What if my company built a power plant 20 years ago for X Company and now they come to us and say they want up to update the facility. We don't know where to find the plans for that 20-year-old plant. In addition, X Company was bought out by another company and now goes by another name. What can we do today to prevent this from happening 20 years from now? How do we store information today (CADD and Word and other files) so that we can retrieve it 20 years from now? Also, are there other questions like this that you have that we might discuss this year? Sharon Lynn Technical Editor Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. 3010 Briarpark, Suite 4N Houston, Texas 77042 713.996.4428 direct 225.987.3984 faxcom (In Box) 713.996.4436 fax www.shawgrp.com From Mark.Singleton at oregonchain.com Tue Feb 6 08:11:44 2007 From: Mark.Singleton at oregonchain.com (Mark Singleton) Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 07:11:44 -0800 Subject: Mark Singleton Bio Message-ID: Hello- I am a new member to the STC. I currently work in Training and Development at a manufacturing company. We are a quality driven organization that is ISO 9000 certified. Much of my job involves training design, development, and delivery of quality philosophy, Statistical Process Control, Design of Experiment, Leadership Development, and SAP training materials and courses. Part of my job involves video production and computer-based training development as well. Prior to this, I was an instructor at Portland State University (PSU) in the nationally recognized and award winning general education program there. I have a strong background in adult learning and the philosophy of education from that experience. My Bachelor degree is in English with graduate work in composition and rhetoric. I am currently pursuing Master's degrees in Technical Writing and Post-Secondary, Adult, and Continuing Education (PACE) at PSU. In my undergraduate years, I made a living in web design and maintenance, and tech support in Windows and Novell environments. Prior to returning to college for my B.A. in English, I was a freelance graphic designer and print broker. I came out of the print industry as a pre-press specialist in a large, local job shop during the transition years between actual cut and paste and process cameras, and computer layout and production of film. I look forward to learning more about quality and process documentation, especially improving it, and am excited to be a new member in the organization and this SIG. Thank you. Mark Singleton This email message, including all attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If this email has reached you in error, please contact the sender by return email and destroy all copies of the original message.