Articles

NASA Typo? What An Endeavor! (sp)

Monday, July 16, 2007

Don’t feel badly. Everyone does it. We do it. You do it. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) does it, too!

According to Space.com, just after being rolled out for launch, “NASA scrambled someone out to pad 39A with a new sign that has the

Filed under: Technical Writing : Mishaps and Mistakes

Microsoft API Manual So Disorganized It’s Deemed “Useless”

Thursday, May 25, 2006

In 2004, European Union (EU) regulators ordered Microsoft to produce a “workable” programming manual that would allow companies that use other operating systems (like Linux) to utilize the “grammar rules” needed to build software programs that could communicate with ...

Filed under: Technical Writing : Mishaps and Mistakes

Missing Procedure Costs US Air Force $6,754,275

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

All that was missing was a simple set of instructions alerting the mechanics to remove the landing gear pins before clearing the aircraft for use. That’s all it would have taken for the US Air Force to avoid a $6,754,275 content snafu.

The expensive accident ...

Filed under: Content Management : Mishaps and Mistakes : Technical Writing : Mishaps and Mistakes

Jetgo: A Steep Price For Bad Documentation

Sunday, March 12, 2006

In A Steep Price For Bad Documentation, content expert Rahel Bailie explores the demise of Canadian airline Jetsgo and the impact poor documentation played in the company’s untimely departure from the aviation industry.

Filed under: Technical Writing : Mishaps and Mistakes

Car Seat Documentation Needs Improved Toronto Police Say

Thursday, March 09, 2006

According to CBC News Toronto, “Nearly 80 per cent of children’s car seats are improperly installed...but Toronto police say manufacturers should share some of the blame. Instruction manuals are often unclear and confusing, and too technically written. Well-intended ...

Filed under: Technical Writing : Mishaps and Mistakes

Leaking Corporate Secrets: Microsoft Word Files Provide More Than WYSIWYG Information

Tuesday, August 19, 2003

When you share Microsoft Word files with others you may unintentionally leak sensitive corporate or personal information, including, but not limited to, the names of authors and reviewers, text deleted during the revision cycle, private comments, and information from ...

Filed under: Content Management : Mishaps and Mistakes : Technical Writing : Mishaps and Mistakes