Technical Writing

This page contains links that pertain to technical writing. I do not vouch for the accuracy, validity, moral leanings or artistic taste of any of these sites. I've casually browsed through all of them, but I have only looked at a few of them in any depth. I have made an effort to include only links that seemed helpful. I could be wrong. If there's a link I haven't included, send me an email and I'll include it!

Links are divided into the following groups:

General Information	Discussion Groups, Forums and Listservers
Hints, Tips and Tutorials	Organizations

General Information

MLA - Modern Language Associations home page.
XML Cover Pages, the - "A comprehensive online reference work for the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and its parent, the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). "
XML Magazine - Trade magazine for XML developers.
XML.Org - "The XML industry portal" including industry news.
XML Resources for Documentation and Technical Writing Professionals - Lots of resources for using XML in technical writing.
All the Write Moves - "Provides freelance writers with all the resources they need, all in one place."
Allyn & Bacon TechCommunity - "A resource website for teachers, students, and practitioners of technical communication. At this site, you can find information about exciting current events in the worlds of science, technology, and health."
Desktop Publishing and Graphics - Lots of info for desktop publishing and computer graphics.
DeveloperWorks - Resources for developers including articles, tips and tricks.
Fonts in CyberSpace - A font archive!
For Use - The Web site for practitioners of usage-centered design.
Glossary of Writing Terms - Another obvious one.
Homepage of David M McMurrey - A personal web page devoted to technical writing. Lots of useful information here.
HyperTexas - Resources for produces of electronic documentation.
InfoDesign - Links to articles about information design/information architecture.
Internet Resources - A massive links repository to a variety of research resources.
Internet Resources for Technical Communications - Lots of useful information on writing, publishing copyright and more.
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication - Journal for research into technical communications.
Microsoft's SDK Documentation: XML - Technical resources for those using XML.
Newbie TechWriter - A great web site to show you the basics of technical writing.
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant - Articles on writing from Paradigm.
Plain Language: Plain English Network - Home page of the Plain Language Action Network.
Poynter.org - Resources for journalists.
Proposal Writing Guidelines - Proposal writing guidelines from Technology and Learning Program at California State University, Chico.
Research and Documentation Online - Tips, hints and resources for conducting online research in a variety of subjects.
Resources for Information Designers - Articles and tutorials for information design.
Resources for Technical Writing Students - Online resources for those interested in or studying technical writing.
Resources for Writers - A collection of writer's resources from the University of Kansas.
School for Champions - "E-Learning site that provides free online lessons, character-building messages, and techniques to excel in school, work and life. You pay for the lessons by becoming successful and by helping others."
Technical Editor's Eyrie - A really comprehensive site geared towards editors. There's a lot of useful information here.
Technical Writing Guidelines - Technical writing guidelines from College of Engineering at Colorado State University.
Technical Writing Guidelines - Technical writing guidelines from Technology and Learning Program at California State University, Chico.
Techpubs - A personal web site with useful information for technical writers.
Techwriters.com - A place for technical writers to pick up new skills, network, and job hunt.
University of Virginia Guide to Publications - Suggestions -- Rules -- Guidelines -- How Tos -- Design & Printing Hints & Copyright Regulations Pertaining to the Production of Printed Materials -- Compiled by the University of Virginia's Publications Office.
User Friendly Manuals Website - Useful guide to creating successful documentation.
Winwriters.com - Online help conferences for technical writers.
Writers Manual - "Tips, techniques, resources, articles, job postings, and more to help induce, improve, and promote your writing career."
Writer's Weekly - Online e-zine with a weekly market lists, market listings, articles and advice all geared towards freelance writers.
Writers Write: Technical Writing - Online resources just for technical writers from Writers Write.
Writing User Documentation that Works - A sample chapter from the book discussing project planning.
Yamada Language Center Font Archive - Huge font archive.

Hints, Tips and Tutorials

General:

Adobe Tutorials - Adobe's main tutorial and tips page.
Free-Ed.Net - "Free education on the Internet!" Find online "classes" for a host of subjects. There are some really GREAT links to a in-depth material. Check it out. It's totally FREE!!!
HuntFor.com - HuntFor.com is designed by computer and graphics professionals, and for all Visual Art lovers. We provide the best and most up-to-date information on tools, technology, and visual content.
Help Authoring Tools: A Comparison - A brief comparison of DOC-to-Help, ForeHelp, RoboHelp and HDK/Virtual Media.
Icon Shareware: Tutorials - Tutorials for Dreamweaver, Flash, FrameMaker, FrontPage, FrontPage 2000, GoLive and more.
Lynda.com Tips - Tips and tutorials for Dreamweaver, Flash, GoLive, PhotoShop, Illustrator and more.
TutorialFind.com - Tons of tutorials on just about anything.
Webmaster Base Tutorials - Tutorials for Dreameweaver, Flash, FrameMaker, FrontPage, GoLive, Illustrator, Photoshop, Homesite, PageMill and more.
ZDNet Help and How-To: Help Finder - ZDNet's main help and tutorial page.

HTML

HTML Help Center - Samples, tools and source code for working with HTML help.
Web Monkey - A great site for creating web pages. Includes lots of basic info about creating web sites, as well as info for advanced web masters.

XML

XML101 - Great introductory lessons in XML.

FrameMaker

Adobe FrameMaker Tutorials - Adobe's tutorials for FrameMaker.
Adobe Magazine Q&A Archive: FrameMaker - Adobe Magazine's FrameMaker basics.
Designing Printed Documentation: FrameMaker Tutorials - Great online publication for creating documentation in FrameMaker.
Frameusers.com - The online user group and reference site for Adobe FrameMaker.

Office and Office 2000

Microsoft Office: Using Microsoft Office 2000 - Microsoft's tips on using Office 2000.
Microsoft Office: Using Microsoft Word 2000 - Microsoft's tips on using Word 2000.
ZDNet Help and How-to: Microsoft Office 2000 - Tips and tutorials for Office 2000.

PDF:

PDF Research Companion - Site devoted to the ins and outs of PDF.
PDF Zone - A site devoted to PDF.
Adobe PDF - Adobe's page on Acrobat and PDF.
Planet PDF - A great site devoted to all things PDF.

RoboHelp:

RoboHelp and RoboHelp HTML Tutorials - Just what the title says. :-)
Sarah Gray's RoboHelp for HTML Help tutorials - A page with RoboHelp tutorials.

Discussion Groups, Forums and Listservers

HATT - For online help authors to share information about online help tools and techniques.
XML-Doc - "The mailing list where technical communicators, developers, vendors and others discuss XML as it relates to documentation."
Adobe's User-to-User Forums - Adobe's own user forums.
Blueworld's Acrobat Talk - Email article group devoted to Adobe Acrobat.
Index-l - Mailing list for indexers.
Manual Forum - "Forum for discussing the quality of user manuals."
PageMaker for Desktop Publishers - An Internet resource for desktop publishers.
Techwr-l Listserver - A list server devoted to technical writing. Lot's of troubleshooting, brain storming and career support through networking with other technical writers.
Suite101 Technical Communications - Online community for technical writers from Suite 101.
Suite101 Technical Writing - Online community for technical writers from Suite 101.
WinHelp-L - "Winhlp-L is a list server article group for people who author Windows Help files and other hypertext files like MediaView and Multimedia Viewer."