Dachshund Technical Description

My revised Dachshund Technical Description.

Job Packet

Job Packet Memorandum (Free World U and WVU Law)

Free World U Job Ad
WVU College of Law Job Ad

Free World U Resume
WVU College of Law Resume

Free World U Cover Letter
WVU College Of Law Personal Statement
(I included the prompt in my personal statement submission so you could get a feel for what is required).

My computer won't let me download the add-in that allows me to convert to PDF. I wanted to do it in class, but I was caught up in the interviewing and forgot about it.

Job Ad Links

I created qualities that a job ad from WVU's College of Law website would have (job ad listed here), and the job ad for Free World U grant writer position can be found here.

Two Resumes

Here is my WVU College of Law resume and here is my Free World U grant writer resume.

Job Packet Memorandum

My Job Packet Memorandum can be found here.

Usability Memo

My CPR Technical Instructions Usability Memo is here.

Usability Memo Draft

Here is my Usability Memo Draft

Test Plan and Questions

The usability questions and test plan are here.

Usability Questions and Test Plan Blogging

I think my test plan and questions comprehensively cover all aspects of my technical instructions I find most relevant for success. I wanted to emphasize knowledge of CPR as key to understanding the process and performing it correctly. As it is simulated, it was difficult to ascertain how well the specifics of my instructions were being followed.

I will update this as I go along, but feel free to tell me what you think.

Ethics and Goals of the Society for Technical Communication

How does STC's "ethical principles for technical communicators" aid in meeting STC's five "Society Goals"? What is the role of writing purpose and audience in meeting these goals and attending to these ethical principles?

Had the Society not used ethical strategies and practices in its technical communication, building partnerships would not be possible--no organization wants affiliation with something unethical. Promoting ethical standards is one definition of correct technical communication. Following ethical considerations is one way to improve technical communication no matter what audience the society writes for. And the society will not survive if ethical practices are not followed, for no clients will want them.

As every audience and client is unique, ethical considerations will vary.

Usability Memo Goals

I am testing for correct CPR (as evidenced by the correct follow through of directions on another individual), as well as effective compressions. I need to test multiple individuals on a variety of expertise levels on most of my instructions (maybe less of a focus on the 1-8 year old variation of CPR). Special considerations are timing; this needs to be done very quickly yet pretty accurately. Ideally I would like to test in a CPR certifying location with a dummy for the most accurate measure of results, however I will also test in a less formal scenario such as in my townhouse. I will tell the subjects to read the instructions and see how well they can follow through them, then ask for feedback on the strong and weak points of the instructions, and degrees of success measured in how many steps they take before messing up and where they express understanding or require clarification.
I'd prefer to use an official CPR dummy, but I may end up using a regular stuffed animal or doll. It has been suggested that I use two people at a time to 'mime' the instructions and evaluate the effectiveness of the follow-through. I'll probably use a questionnaire to evaluate as well.

My questionnaire will ask for an overall rating one to five with one being poor and five superior and for reasoning for the overall rating of my instruction set, requiring specific examples as positive or negative points. Asking for adjectives for certain points within the technical instructions will provide me with personalized feedback that expresses the test taker's sentiments as precisely as possible. I would also like to create an entry for suggesting improvements to my instructions.

CPR Technical Instructions Final

The link to my Google Docs CPR Technical Instructions final draft can be found here.

I wrote on this topic so that I could have both a novice point of view at the beginning and be able to look back at the end with much more understanding. I thought that this would be the best way to write it because then I could address people with various levels of understanding.

Usability Memo Thoughts

I can already tell this is going to take a while to do--not that there is anything wrong with that. This would need to have a pretty accurate simulation, but I know people will feel uncomfortable carrying these directions out. A reason I chose CPR is that I am learning how to do it by writing these technical directions, so I myself have the perspective of a novice initially, and someone who understands this process by the end of the project, which I think will serve my instructions for the better.

CPR Technical Instructions Draft

The link to my CPR technical instructions draft can be found here.

CPR Technical Instructions

A few things I need to do with my technical instructions:
1. Include a diagram for reference
2. Get some of the intermediary and detailed steps. I only have a very basic overview of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and need to go into much more depth before I have an appropriate set of instructions.
3. Write down some warnings and caution about doing this procedure incorrectly for the reader. This can really hurt someone if it's not done right, or someone could die if the CPR isn't performed properly.

Blog Post 10/6

1. How to prepare for an advising appointment.
No instructions. No one has gone over what they still need to do, and it often requires the advisor for the whole thing. There needs to be a checklist available online. So overwhelming.
2. How to change your major or add a major/minor.
No instructions. No one knows where to go to do that, you have to figure it out. Plus its pretty complex.
3. How to write a resume/compile a portfolio.
Has instructions, but there are so many different types of resumes that people don't know about and you need to tailor your resume to your objective.


Bad things to write instructions on:
1. How to perform stunts that 'you should not attempt at home.'
2. How to hack computers.
3. How to steal money from a vending machine.
These are either dangerous or illegal, and not much good would come from these directions being available for people to use.

CPR Technical Instruction Diagram

My technical Instruction diagram can be found here.

Final Dachshund Technical Description

The link to my final Google Docs Dachshund Technical Description is here.

Technical Instructions Brainstorm

How to hot wire a car? how to juggle? How to study abroad through WVU? How to become a millionaire in 5 easy steps? How to write a TV spec script? How to teach your dog a trick? How to apply to law school? How to make cookie bars? CPR? dye your hair? tie dye a shirt? ace an interview?

CPR wins.

Dachshund revisions

I need to use more visual description about what the different patterning and, particularly, all of the colors that a dachshund can come in. I'd like to add the average height and length of the standard and miniature, and maybe go into detail on medical issues and maybe genetics. I plan on adding more dog terminology with explanations for novice readers. I think it would be fun to include fun stuff on the breed- Wikipedia has a feature on 'famous dachshunds,' which I would love to have in my description. Maybe world record dachshund, something like that.

Draft of Technical Description (Dachshunds)

The link to my Google Docs draft on dachshunds is here.

Technical Description: HP Mini

Selling the product would be the general purpose of this technical description, although the specifications are also used to help a reader determine if the product will fit their specific needs as a computer. The audience for this particular type of computer should be looking for a portable computer that can access the internet and do work on the go and fit into a smaller bag or purse, so professionals and customers who move around a lot will probably be looking at this. The description succeeds in providing the crucial bits of information on the computer that all browsers need to see "at a glance." However, the HP home site launches right in to how "perfect" a "companion" the computer is. Other ethical considerations when reading this is what HP omits in the technical description of the Mini computer. The size of the PC is convenient, but the lack of a CD-ROM drive is a huge concern for everyone from the everyday user to the very technical person who fully understands the ins and outs of a computer. I would rephrase or replace some of the techie jargon with more everyday user friendly terminology, or include an explanation disclaimer type of thing on the page with the technical description to accommodate the less computer literate, or for those who don't speak computer-ese.

Hey! now that I know how to properly link...
WVUp All Night (I wrote "Distinguishing Features" section)

Tasks, et cetera

• Write a blog post about the "tasks" you completed on Wikipedia. What were the tasks and what did they involve? What did you learn about Wikipedia in completing the tasks? Note: you can copy and make use of this post for your final post about the project. (I'll ask a few of you to talk about your tasks.)
  

The tasks, for the most part, were copyediting projects, as I knew virtually nothing about the topics I edited. I edited out some bias in two articles: one was about a Palestinian singer, and the other was on racial hierarchy. I didn't learn anything about Wikipedia other than things that I already knew.

Wikipedia Contribution Draft

This is my Wikipedia draft submission, but I don't think I did it correctly, so I am posting it on my blog in case there is a problem with viewing it on Wikipedia. Also, I've included the links to my open tasks. This is frustrating; what compounds the frustration is that whatever I post will probably be edited until it is unrecognizable anyway. I've never been the greatest with computers, but at least I could handle what I was familiar with. Now I'm likely to have a bad grade because I don't understand proper formatting for blogging, posting web links and Wikipedia referencing. Honestly, I think Wikipedia is fun for a bored afternoon or to get a general idea about something, and I think people have blown it way out of proportion. When my group first posted our beginning paragraph for WVUp All Night, it was deleted within 15 seconds. Seconds! After we reposted with a disclaimer, so to speak, we were put 'on probation' with a little note saying we may be deleted because we weren't referencing with the right formats. Do people realize that these are people without credentials writing about topics on the internet?We aren't as technical as they are because we've never done this before. Good grief, it feels like the editors want this to be scholarly. Well, hate to break it to you, but it's not--its a group of people who have never written Wikipedia on anything trying to make an article work. I feel that people take this aspect of the internet far too seriously; these works are far from scholarly and information is never the most accurate or objective. It's a fun little social and technical writing experiment, to watch how the editing of opinions metamorphoses the work, but that's about the extent of it, from my point of view. I've been told you can't reference it in schoolwork, you can't count on it for accuracy, so I use it for fun, and don't go around deleting other people's initial attempts unless they're offensive or illegal. Wikipedia is not Britannica, no matter how much people want it to be--it's an outlet for people to sound off about a subject they know. It's posted on the Internet, yes, but does one realize how much CRAZY and clearly inaccurate stuff is posted on the internet?! Why is this the exception that should be taken so seriously? Because its a big website with a big reputation? Sounds more like the creators and editors, and even some contributors, just have big egos.

I guess for this class, Wikipedia has taught me a lot, but now, instead of using it for novelty, I hate it. I never used it much anyway, and I think that as soon as this project is over, I'm avoiding it unless I have no other alternative. I wouldn't use this for the classroom to begin with, I would be laughed out of biology lab for citing it in research. Wikipedia is just the wannabe Britannica.

Open Tasks:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_hierarchy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabiha_Khanum#Early_Life

Wikipedia article:

==Distinguishing Features==

The program's popularity in part stems from a combination of unique facets which contribute to its notability in its media and press coverage. The program runs weekly from Thursdays through Saturdays, nights that most students typically choose to spend partying. The late night hours of 9 PM to midnight on Thursdays and 9 PM to 2 AM Fridays and Saturdays offer convenience for students when they tire of the bar scene or need a late night snack http://www.ia.wvu.edu/~magazine/fall98/alcohol.html. Most importantly, the program is well within the means of the average college budget--the food and drink is free with a valid WVU student ID (including the late night breakfast food at Hatfield's), as are the stand up comedy shows featuring nationally touring comedians as well as local acts http://events.wvu.edu/comedy/07-08/04-17/index.shtml, new release movies, round trip bus rides, tutoring and study services, and special feature programs, such as "game shows," drawings,concerts,and the infamous Mountaineer Idol contest, with a $1,000 grand prize http://mountaineerweek.wvu.edu/mt_idol. Other offerings include $2 shoes and $1 games for Astro Bowling, ping pong, air hockey, and arcade games for 25 cents (paddles are free with a student ID), laser tag (although this may have been discontinued), and billiards by the hour for $1.50 (need reference). As this program is held in the Mountainlair, the West Virginia University student union, it is just a short walk from the most popular downtown bars and block parties, eliminating the need to drive--possibly under the influence--to enjoy the program's many benefits. Another unique option are the vegetarian dishes offered in the self serve free buffet, something other 'safe alternative' university programs lack. By linking to other safe alternatives offered by the university, the program also broadcasts activities to students in other departments of WVU, such as the University Arts Series, Mountaineer Week, Arts and Entertainment programs, sporting events, and student organizations http://events.wvu.edu/index.shtml. These factors, as well as many others, have revolutionized the program's image into the alluring program former president David C. Hardesty, Jr. had envisioned http://www.ia.wvu.edu/~magazine/fall98/alcohol.html.

Link to Wikipedia Responses

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Afm1EGFzWbvbZGQzMjM4a3JfMGg2Mnh3YmRo&hl=en

Introduction

I am completing the concentration in Professional Writing and Editing for my English major.

I hope to become much more computer savvy, especially in aspects of the Internet I'm not familiar with. English is becoming much more technologically oriented--I'd like to stay ahead of the curve.