June 2019
In this month's TechCommWire: Be in to WIN with our Sustain Conference quote competition. Then, Meredith brings you the run-down on her new favourite app: Microsoft To-Do. It's like bullet journaling, without the heartbreak of running out of notebook. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" – Increasing numbers of people are learning te reo Māori (the Māori language) and it’s also used more and more in business and government communications. As technical communicators there are several ways we can show we respect te reo Māori when we use it in English text, and Sarah and Shelly are here to show us how. Finally, productivity is the theme of this month's LTC: from staying productive when your own brain is against you, to avoiding the three-steps-forward two-steps-back problem when switching projects, to understanding your own creative type to make the most of how your brain works.
From the President
Kia ora everyone! This month I’m excited to announce the launch of a special competition to warm up your winter: the Sustain Conference quote competition. At our conference this year, as in other years, we’ll be giving out some gorgeous notebooks, and we want to showcase an excellent techcomm themed quote on the cover. This is where we need your help!
Registrations are open!
This year’s Conference theme is all about the sustainability of our content and our profession.Join us for an exciting and inspiring three days of presentations and workshops designed to challenge, inform and reignite your passion for what you do.
We’ve got an awesome line-up of international and local speakers presenting a range of topics with an emphasis on sustainable content. Register now and get our earlybird discount.
My Favourite Apps: Microsoft To-Do
Those of you who’ve been following TechCommWire for a few years might have read about my journey into bullet journaling, shortly followed by my giving up of bullet journaling. I really enjoy writing notes, planning, check-lists, and To-Do lists, and for many years have tried all sorts of paper and electronic systems for doing this. I actually love the Bullet Journal idea, but after finishing my favourite blue journal book I couldn’t seem to find the same love for any subsequent book, and so I gave up on this technique. Shortly after, I discovered the To-Do app from Microsoft, and have been consistently using it now for over a year. Don’t hold your breath but I think it might be here to stay for me!
Respecting te reo Māori when writing in English
There is growing recognition in Aotearoa of the significance and value of Māori as tāngata whenua (people of the land). This includes the revitalisation of te reo Māori. It is part of our wider understanding that diversity matters not just in business but also in our country as a whole. So how as technical communicators can we be part of this? Of course, Māori speakers are best placed to drive the process, but non-Māori and second (or subsequent) language learners can and should also lead – provided they have the right support.
Let's Tech Communicate
This month, I have been working from home more than ever. On the one hand, it's been very pleasant working in front of a log fire on a cold day and watching the horses grazing through the window. On the other hand, I have never made so many cups of coffee or washed so many dishes. Getting things done is the theme of this month's LTC: from staying productive when your own brain is against you, to avoiding the three-steps-forward two-steps-back problem when switching projects, to understanding your own creative type to make the most of how your brain works. Then, is it very simple or basic? Very short or brief? Very powerful or compelling? Get your pedant's hat on for the very silly war on "very".
