8th Colloquium for user-friendly product
information
18th April in Bologna, Italy
For
more information click here
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TCeurope is the European umbrella organisation for technical
communication, currently representing technical writers and illustrators in
ten European countries.
What is Technical Communication ?
Technical Documentation
comprises all activities, means and systems providing information how to use a product. It enables the user to
understand the functioning of the product, to handle, maintain, repair and
dispose it correctly and safely. There
are different means of communication: print media (paper), digital media,
face-to-face communication, telecommunications, and learning media. Technical
Communication is mainly text-based, but it also comprises illustrations, the
design of diagrams, animations, video materials, multimedia products and WWW
sites.
The
importance of technical communication is recognised by the European Council
Resolution of 17 December 1998 on operating instructions for technical consumer
goods which states explicitly that “the protection of economic interests
requires that consumers of technical goods have access to adequate user
information to ensure proper and complete use of the product. ”The Council
invites the Member States and economic operators to pursue the objective of “making information
available to consumers, enabling them to make safe, easy, proper and complete
use of technical goods”. Besides the fundamental obligation to provide adequate
user information, suppliers of technical goods have a commercial interest in
this, since the quality of user information is an important tribute to the
marketing of their products.
What is a Technical Communicator ?
Technical communicators (TCs) create and manage the production of usable information, also referred to as documentation, at key points along the life-cycle of technical products, software or services. In this definition, in accordance with ISO 9241, usable refers to the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which specified users of the documentation achieve specified goals in particular environments.
Effectiveness refers to the accuracy
and completeness with which specified users of the product can achieve
specified goals in particular environments.
Efficiency refers to the ease and time
expended in relation to the accuracy and completeness of goals achieved.
User satisfaction refers to the
comfort and acceptability of the documentation to its users.
User safety refers to the prevention
of hazards and damages that may occur when using the products.
The terms ‘technical products and
services’ also include such things as medical and financial products and
services.
Technical Communicators are professionals with a specific skills profile. At present, depending on current national practices, the development of this profession requires training, education and/or certification.
Sponsored by: www.tekom.de