Skip to content

Data states, writing illuminates

    2017-08-27 Oh, the productivity

    How to get (at least some) work done

    When I need to get a particular piece of writing or other work done, and I’m putting it off because it’s difficult (or I’m making it difficult), I’ve found that this simple process helps a lot.

    2017-07-21 Aboutness first, format second

    Structured Content Meets Taxonomy: Webinar Recording

    “For truly futureproof content, we need to write well, use structural markers, and associate our chunks of information with external data.”

    Recording of a joint webinar with PoolParty’s Andreas Blumauer.

    2016-11-26 Templates & tags help authors

    Managing XML in Git or Mercurial? Watch out for your merges

    Using line-based diff and merge tools can result in invalid files or missing content. XML-aware merge tools avoid these problems.

    2016-10-30 Effective writing tells a story

    Redundancy is Not a Crime

    The grammar police may criticise our doubleplusungood writing, but our loyalty should be with more plausible authorities — our global audience.

    2016-10-11 Templates & tags help authors

    What WYSIWYG Got Right About Writing

    WYSIWYG wasn’t just a comfort blanket. It helped writers do their jobs. For structured/web authoring, we can’t go back, but must fill the gaps.

    2016-09-28 Templates & tags help authors

    Author Assurance: did I do this right?

    As tools designers, implementers, or authoring team managers, we have to do a better job of assuring authors when they’re doing their jobs OK, and provide clear information on how to fix things if not.

    2016-04-11 Aboutness first, format second / Schemas help readers

    Shaping Content with the Deep Magic of Taxonomy (webinar recording)

    Using a taxonomy makes you look again at what you are writing. You abandon information for its own sake, and instead shape content to fit your customers. Not only does their experience with search and navigation improve; what they find speaks directly to their needs.

    2015-12-31 Aboutness first, format second

    Mass-Managing Adaptive Graphics in an Automated Publishing Environment

    Good visual communication is essential, yet graphics are often an afterthought in structured content implementations. We need a new approach to make them work well over an increasing range of screen sizes, devices, and contexts.

    2015-12-30 Effective writing tells a story / Schemas help readers

    Serve Content in Tasty Chunks

    Well-thought-out content sets are like a good stew — each chunk has a distinct role. Carrots bring sweetness; potatoes, substance. In the same way, carefully designed information is served in purposeful pages whose structure reflects their intent.

    2015-03-15 Schemas help readers / Templates & tags help authors

    Visualizing Complex Content Models with Spatial Schemas

    An accessible way for authors, information architects, and schema developers alike to understand or refine a content model.

    Posts navigation

    «Previous Posts 1 2 3 Next Posts»
    I'm posting now at Do The Words, on how writing helps you think, listen, and lead.
    Not posting here any more but keeping the site up, as a few of the posts are still popular and hopefully useful.
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    Subscribe in a reader

    Create a website or blog at WordPress.com
    • Follow Following
      • Data states, writing illuminates
      • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
      • Data states, writing illuminates
      • Customize
      • Follow Following
      • Sign up
      • Log in
      • Report this content
      • View site in Reader
      • Manage subscriptions
      • Collapse this bar
     

    Loading Comments...