Single Source Publishing in STE - Integration of HyperSTE in Madcap Flare

In this webinar we’ll introduce the capability of Simplified Technical English (STE) authoring in Madcap Flare Version 9. Using HyperSTE and Flare together, authors now have a powerful platform for developing content in STE once and then delivering it in the format and language of readers’ choice.

You’ll learn how STE creates clarity, conciseness, and consistency in writing, stimulates the (global) acceptance of information as it improves readability and translatability, prevents misunderstandings and misinterpretations, and how STE is tailor made for the smaller screens of mobile devices.

We’ll also discuss:

• How STE has enabled multi-national companies to trim their translation costs by up to 30%.
• How companies use STE to optimize how they deliver content to their customers, partners and employees.
• How HyperSTE supports STE content development by providing rich, comprehensive functionality for checking content grammar, terminology and style.

Code-o-phobic? Time to Get Over It!

Are you code-challenged—always sticking to the WYSIWYG side of things? Are you nervous about clicking Flare’s new “text” tab to switch to the “other side” to hunt for errors? Do you think code is only for geeks?

Since we fear what we do not understand, it goes without saying that if you can learn the basic structure and terminology of code, it will no longer be able to confuse or elude you. You might be surprised at just how little you will need to know in order to take away the fear.

In this class, we will discuss structure, elements, tags, attributes and divs. We will touch on cascading style sheets (CSS) and how they correlate to HTML. We will look at Flare’s new split view (XML and text), autocomplete and syntax coloring. At the end of class, you will be instructed in how to create a practice piece in notepad that you can play with in your browser so you can see for yourself just how simple it can be.

Calling All Propeller Heads: How to Start Your Own Flare User Group

Can't find a Flare user group in your area? Start one! It's not hard, and just takes a little planning, a bit of management, and a lot of passion.

This webinar offers strategies for starting a Flare user group in your community. We'll cover how to:

• Find other interested "propeller heads"
• Choose a location
• Devise a schedule of meetings
• Run a meeting that's both fun and packed with information
Foster participation and sharing among members
• Plan activities that keep members coming back for more
• Establish membership rules and set boundaries (so no one feels taken advantage of)
• Use technology and social media to manage and promote your group
• Avoid burning yourself out (if you're the manager!)

Whether you're a newbie, intermediate, or expert Flare user, you will marvel at how quickly your knowledge of Flare (not to mention other MadCap products) grows as a result of participating in a user group. You'll acquire a deeper understanding of how, what, and even why you should "dive deep" into Flare features.

Converting From FrameMaker to Flare? We’ve Got Your Back.

Feel like your brain is about to explode? This session will focus on planning and implementing a FrameMaker-to-Flare migration project, particularly on a large-scale. John will present some basic strategies and approaches to consider before you start, demo some third-party tools to tame your Frame documents, and a bit of text editor magic to help with the cleanup after you import.

ePub Formatting Tips and Tricks

Why should technical communicators be keeping an eye on ePUB files? They enable users to read content on iPads, iPhones, and other e-readers, a growing trend in delivering Just In Time documentation, where you need it and when you need it.

ePUB files are one of the technologies that have changed how technical communicators deliver mobile documentation. The newest Help Authoring Tools can easily create ePUB files but the formatting of the content—such as fonts—may vary among e-readers.

In this session you will learn about ePUB files, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to standardize the formatting of an EPUB file so that its appearance is consistent, whether you are viewing the file using iBooks, Adobe Digital Editions, or other e-reader software.