The Content Wrangler RoundUp
The Content Wrangler RoundUp
A curated collection of content for technical writers and information developers
Welcome to the 345 new members who have joined us since the last week! If you haven’t subscribed, join 27,651 content wranglers by subscribing here:
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ChatGTP tends to reflect American norms and values
University of Copenhagen research demonstrates that ChatGPT showcases American norms and values in its responses, even when addressing other countries and cultures, revealing a cultural bias in its output.
Meet Perplexity CoPilot AI
Perplexity Copilot is an interactive search assistant that asks you clarifying questions to guide the AI search process and find the best answers.
Plug-ins for ChatGPT
ChatGPT plugins enhance the AI chatbot, expanding its functionalities. Plugins like Expedia can provide instant answers to travel inquiries. Learn how to install and use.
🖥️ [Webinar] Incorporating ChatGPT Into Our Work
A presentation from UX Tech Writer and Leader Anthony Medeiros, about how adopting AI can help technical writers and information developers work smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
Can’t make the live event?
Register, and we’ll send you a link to watch a recording.
TECH DOCS
Information Development in Product Design
Scott Abel speaks to Quality During Design podcast host Dianna Deeney, about the importance of information development management during product design. Abel advocates for the proper inclusion of tech writers on product teams, uncovers their often underrecognized value, and outlines the importance of unifying product information and tech docs in a single online knowledge center.
🎧 Listen: Part one | Part two
Technical Writers: The Unsung Heroes of Customer Experience
Scott Abel makes a solid connection between tech writers and customer experience and satisfaction.
A Chat With Bard About ‘DocBook And MadCap Flare’
Scott Abel pushes the generative AI bot to admit it’s wrong, correct its mistakes, and apologize in this humorous (and eventually accurate) exchange.
Helping Eli Lilly Adopt Structured Content To Improve Customer Experience And Automation
An interview with John April, Senior Director, Adaptive Content Strategy at Eli Lilly and Company, about planning to move from desktop publishing-based content creation approaches to structured authoring.
🖥️ [Webinar] Flowcharts for Technical Communication
Presenter: Dianna Deeney, Quality During Design
Date: August 22, 2023, The Content Wrangler
Attend this session to learn how to:
Align with others about a user’s process
Identify what is critical to quality
Determine what’s value-added
Understand multiple user’s roles in completing tasks
Can’t make the live event?
Register, and we’ll send you a link to watch a recording when convenient.
Save $200 off in-person registration at LavaCon 2023
We’ve arranged a discount of $200 off the cost of entry to the 2023 LavaCon conference on Content Strategy (October 14-17) at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, at the gateway to San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter.
Use discount code TCW to save $200 when registering for the in-person event.
Scott Abel, The Content Wrangler, will deliver an opening-day talk and participate in the closing panel chat on the future of content.
API DOCUMENTATION
Rid Your API Documentation of Non-information
Excess info adds to cognitive load, causing frustration and prompting developers to seek more efficient sources. Identifying non-information can help you create accurate, clear, concise, and focused docs without unnecessary verbosity.
API Docs Humor 🤪
Documenting APIs: A free course for technical writers and engineers
Tom Johnson offers a free hands-on course to teach tech writers and engineers about documenting application programming interfaces. Materials are available free online (a PDF version is USD $20). An excellent first step toward getting work documenting APIs. If you follow Johnnson’s advice, you should be able to gain experience and credibility by building your portfolio.
“Without a strong portfolio to demonstrate your expertise, almost no manager will hire you, even if you have an extensive tech background.” — Tom Johnson
Educational opportunity: JavaScript Introduction by Tom Johnson
🖥️ [Webinar] Recognizing Exceptional Developer Experiences
A chat with Laura Vass, organizer of the DevPortal Awards and the API The Docs conference (and podcast), to discuss the content needs of software developers. We'll discuss the DevPortals Awards and learn what we can do to provide developers with the best content experiences possible.
Can’t make the live event?
Register, and we’ll send you a link to watch a recording when convenient.