From the TechCommNZ Blog

May 2017

In recent blogs, Jane Armstrong reviewed Dave Gash's CSS Colo(u)rs webinar, and Meredith Evans has summed up her TechCommNZ conference and takeaways. Emma Harding is asking technical communicators to rise up in support of the liberal arts and humanities in New Zealand tertiary institutions. She shares a submission she recently made to Waikato University outlining the value of Arts graduates to industry.

Webinar Review: CSS Colors Demystified

Have you watched Dave Gash's webinar CSS Colo(u)rs Demystified yet? Jane Armstrong tells you why it's worth the effort in her Webinar Review, and wraps up the key messages. Understanding the physics behind the cold-blooded codes really helps any of us grappling with #393939 (Fifty Shades of Grey).

My Post-Conference Challenge

Over Easter, Meredith Evans reflected on her Collaborate2017 experience with a listicle of her post-conference resolutions. She aims to:

  1. Instigate change (when change is needed)
  2. Demonstrate the value of great writing and be proud to call myself a writer
  3. Always advocate for my users
  4. Investigate new technology and be open to trying to new things
  5. Always seek to improve
  6. Make sure my content is accessible to ALL my users
  7. Aim to always be a creator of meaningful and valuable content

Read her blog where she challenges other conference-goers to consider their own list. See My Post-Conference Challenge.

Industry needs the humanities – yes, REALLY

Emma Harding goes into bat for Arts graduates in her recent blog Industry needs the humanities – yes, REALLY. She tells me that when she was corresponding with one of our newest members, a linguistics lecturer at Waikato University, she found out that teaching of the humanities at Waikato is under threat, with extensive restructuring and cutbacks in staff. "The red mist descended and I knew I needed to act", she said, "I feel we've all got to do more to stop this happening. Since raising it, I'm hearing of more and more cuts to Arts funding round New Zealand. It's so short-sighted and worrying."