The Internet & New Media
Week 10
Technical Communication Fall 2003, DAHMEN
What is ‘new media’?
technologies that ‘blend characteristics
of several traditional media types’
(Gurak and Lannon, p. 71)
What are Examples of New Media?
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The Web (combining images, sound, text,
video)
Digital TVs (interactivity)
Advanced cell phones (text, voice, internet)
Personal Digital Assistants/Handheld
computers (text, voice, internet)
Areas for writers in New Media
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Interface design
Basic communication via Email
Content for Web
Hypertext documents
Training for new media
Help documentation external/internal to new
media
Implications of New Media for Technical
Communicators
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Must consider multiple uses for text (single
sourcing) for print and digital
Changes in speed of production and change
Differences in production cycle
More roles to fill to create final product
Need to be competent on more technologies
Must reconsider ‘traditional’ writing patterns
Considerations for Email
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Asynchronous
Provides electronic ‘paper trail’
Easy forwarding (who is your audience?)
Questions of authorship
Attachments
Ethical considerations
Privacy
Guidelines for Writers
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Keep messages sort
Make references clear
Don’t rush to write
Don’t assume privacy
Consider the best channel for the message
Follow rules of good grammar/writing
Use editing tools
Don’t ignore communication hierarchies
Considerations for Hypertext
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Can use text or images
Non-linear/associational in nature
Completely electronic in delivery
No paper alternative possible
Never the same document for the reader
Addresses various levels of audience
Good for training
Guidelines for Writers
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Know your readers/audience
Keep screens short
Alternate media (text then image then…)
Make navigation clear and accessible
Considerations for the Web
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Wide variety of audiences
Wide variety of technical capabilities
Non-liner nature/use of hypertext techniques
Impatient readers
Privacy and ethics
Writing Issues for the Web
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‘Chunk’ text for readability
Use short sentences
Provide links to further information
Keep in mind size of screen/screen real
estate
Use graphics responsibly
Provide clear navigation
Provide feedback mechanism
Layout and Typography Issues for the Web
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Keep in mind line length
Use high contrast of text/background
Avoid all caps
Use sans serif fonts for ‘display text’
Some fonts particularly designed for the Web
(Georgia/Verdana)
Consider ‘printer friendly’ versions of content
When are PDF’s desirable?