Month: April 2014

Danielle M. Villegas‘s insight:

I found this Scott Nesbitt article from his post on Google+, and it’s excellent. I think he makes a good point. Some of the "tech-savvy" is a natural ability for some, but in the end it’s really a skill that can be learned that all of us should have, especially as technical communicators. Read the whole article, and let me know if you agree with Scott’s assessment. I think he’s on the right track with this. 

–techcommgeekmom

Danielle M. Villegas‘s insight:

I found this thanks to Craig Cardimon posting it in a few social media spots. I don’t know that I could have put things as eloquently or poetically as this article’s author, but I do enjoy what I do, for sure. Content management is definitely a challenge, but a rewarding challenge when it’s done right. Read this–it’s an interesting perspective. 

–techcommgeekmom

Danielle M. Villegas‘s insight:

I find this article interesting–as in I’m a bit puzzled. I can understand a lot of companies being hesitant to move off of a more stable platform. However, Windows 7 is a fairly stable platform (as compared to Windows Vista, which came in-between XP and 7), and I can understand not wanting to upgrade all the way up to Windows 8.1, since that version is still working out the kinks. If these governments have had lots of forewarning that upgrades to Windows 7 (at least) needed to be done, why didn’t they heed the warning? Similarly, these governments are paying a lot of money just to maintain the status quo. In the long run, wouldn’t investment into new systems be more cost efficient? No special programs needed to be written for workarounds that would cost extra money? And with the US hospitals still using Windows XP–why can’t regulators be able to move on to certify programs compatible with Windows 7?

 

It seems to me that red tape is in the way of progress and efficiency in the long run. I know that in many cases, we’re talking tens of thousands–if not more–computers and systems that need to be upgraded. But what we expect of our governments and healthcare systems is that they are run smoothly and efficiently to process whatever it is for the public’s needs. When I was unemployed, the online forms used to complete each week to file for claims looked like something from 1992. I think my son could create something more efficient and user friendly, and he’s autistic, 12 years old, and not a programmer.

 

Resources are available, and there are plenty of IT professionals out there who could certainly help with this process, but “cost cutting” is always the bottom line in the government and at hospitals, isn’t it? But really, there are no real savings. Investment now should yield a better ROI (return on investment) than keeping things status quo. Some good content strategists and project managers are needed.

–techcommgeekmom

Danielle M. Villegas‘s insight:

This is written by the president of the university I attended for my undergraduate studies (which was still a college back then). UMW has come a long way from the time I was there. When I was there, there were still hallway phones, computer labs for word processing on dot matrix printers, and no such things as wi-fi, for sure. The school has come a long way, and I’m glad to see that they are working on staying ahead of the curve while being a liberal arts university. I went there for their social sciences programs, which were top rate. UMW is also the home of Jim Groom, who is a ed tech extraordinaire and the one who coined the term "edupunk" (which I read he regrets, but I love it!). President Hurley presents some important points about integrating STEM and liberal arts studies for the future, and points out the value of liberal arts being a part of STEM efforts as well. I can say that I know several people from my generation who graduated who are in STEM-related careers who were either English or History majors at my school. 

 

This is a good read from a progressive university president. 
–techcommgeekmom