Usability checklist for web sites

October 7th, 2007

Communicating across cultures with email

October 7th, 2007

Best practices for recording sound in demos

October 7th, 2007

Recording audio in Captivate is pretty easy. Here's some tips to make it easier.

1. Three minutes can take three hours of rehearsing, testing, and recording time.

2. Take breaks. In Captivate, the F5 key is handy for this.

3. Record in a small room with no other sounds. Keep your door shut.

4. Check for reverb in your final cut. Play on several different computers.

5. Record in small chunks. Inhale, exhale, and inhale again while turning back to the mike--and then start speaking. This eliminates breathing or lip smacking noises.

6. Don't speak directly into the mike---point your mouth a little lower, within four to six inches of the mike.

7. When writing your script, spell out numbers.

Permalink

Ramping up exposure to your web content

October 7th, 2007

Here's some information from my friend Sharon Housley of Notepage.com and Feedforall.com about bringing an audience to your web content:

1. Adding gradual content over time is best. One article per week is ideal.

2. Syndicate your content using the author resource box for links back.

3. Place your articles in an RSS feed on your site with a link back to the full article in the Description field. If someone syndicates the feed and doesn't automatically link back to the full content, the link is still included. Don't include the full article in the feed, just teaser copy.

4. Re-submit the feed to RSS/search engines and directories after you syndicate your article.

5. You can manually post articles to a handful of key sites that aren't automated. You can email out using GroupMail to the common article listservs. You can also submit your article to a group of ezine editors that write for your market. Do this once a week.

6. When an author reprints and lets me know, I visit the site to ensure that the links are live in the author resource box. I then email the author, thanking them and telling them about additional articles they might find interesting. Sharon uses a macro set up TypePilot for her responses.

7. Your best articles are timeless or explain how to do things. Controversial topics are hit or miss.

8. Titles are critical. You must use keywords and capture the attention of editors and publishers.

Permalink

Proofreading article

October 2nd, 2007

Well, I'm back and posting information that I intended to post months ago. Here's a article that shows my levels of proofreading.

Level I Light edit
A Level I edit can include correcting the following items:

Sentence-level errors,
Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors,
Some format problems,
Inconsistent phrasing.
Passive voice if the sentence is not clear.
Inconsistent formatting, such as bolded terms.
Level II Medium edit
Level II edits include minor changes in organization at paragraph and sentence level. This kind of edit does not include major restructuring of the outline or paragraphs. No new material is added. A medium edit can include the following items:
Format the text, such as bolding references to the interface. Make sure all formatting is consistent.
Check figure and table callouts, such as titles of tables or arrows pointing to parts of a graphic.
Edit the text at sentence level for clarity, straightforwardness, and correctness.
Restructure sentences, occasionally, if time permits.
Remove passive voice.
Remove distracting and unnecessary repetition of information or wording.
Check graphics for clarity and consistency, providing details in a list.
Level III Rewrite or heavy edit
A heavy edit is a very thorough edit or rewrite of a document whose content is firm. Technical experts are available for questions. A Level III rewrite can include checking the following items:
Consider audience and purpose of document,
Check software or hardware against instructions in document, if possible,
Compliance with standards, such as the Microsoft style guide or Windows XP Help.
Overall organization of entire document,
Appropriateness of graphics,
Formatting of text, graphics, and references,
Thoroughness and accuracy of content,
Readability and usability of document,
Sentence clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness,
Grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling.
The following picture shows a Level 1 edit.

The following pictures show other levels of edit.

Permalink