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You're right, Elisa, but right now I'm looking for a low-impact, low-cost way to start doing this.
If someone here asks, "Hey, can I edit this?" I can answer, Why sure, but we need some software first.
Craig
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Elisa R. Sawyer
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 12:41 PM
To: TECHWR-L (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com)
Subject: Re: RE: Additional roles for technical writers
Craig, one thing to keep in mind is that you might eventually want to convert your charts into a format that other people can edit. The last time I looked, Open Office did not support converting files to Visio. Because Visio is widely adopted, it might be good to start with a program that supports export from/import to Visio.
It's easy to find some charting programs that allow free single-user versions or inexpensive versions that support exporting to/importing from Visio. Just Google the phrase. I don't want to recommend one because I don't have experience with them. My recent experience with charting is on the Mac OS X using Omnigraffle, which I like.
If you are interested in creating UML diagrams, it's fun to use PlantUML, which is freeware.
-Elisa
On Thu, Jan 15, 2015 at 9:12 AM, Cardimon, Craig <ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com>
wrote:
> Okay, good. The less money is involved, the better.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:
> techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of
> Julie Stickler
> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 12:11 PM
> To: TECHWR-L (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com)
> Subject: Re: RE: Additional roles for technical writers
>
> There is also Open Office or Office Libre (open source version of MS
> Office). I rarely need to create diagrams, so I don't tend to ask
> management for a Visio license. The few occasions when I need to
> create diagrams, I can usually manage with Office Draw. The only
> caveat is that there are far fewer image templates for Draw (I did
> finally manage to track down some servers that I liked for my
> architecture diagrams). But if you're creating flow charts? You
> should be fine with the default boxes and arrows.
>
> On Thu, Jan 15, 2015 at 11:47 AM, Dan Goldstein <DGoldstein -at- nuot -dot- com>
> wrote:
>
> > For proof of concept, you can create flow charts in MS Word. There
> > are also free alternatives (Gliffy, etc.).
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Cardimon, Craig
> > Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 11:41 AM
> > To: Dan Goldstein; 'TECHWR-L (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com)'
> > Subject: RE: Additional roles for technical writers
> >
> > Getting approval to buy software, especially something new, can be
> > difficult.
> >
> > I would need to build a proof-of-concept first.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dan Goldstein
> > Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 11:37 AM
> > To: TECHWR-L (techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com)
> > Subject: RE: Additional roles for technical writers
> >
> > The best way to learn this is to do it. You'll need flow-charting
> > software (big fan of Visio here) and the ability to interview the
> > folks who actually run the current processes. Of course, there are a
> > million examples online to inspire you. Once you document a process
> > clearly, the people who use it should have ideas for improving it.
> >
> > As for selling the concept , if your company is subject to US
> > regulations or any international standard (e.g., ISO), you might not
> > need to sell this at all. SOPs are SOP. Otherwise, show them one
> > good sample and see if you can make the sale.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Cardimon, Craig
> > Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2015 11:31 AM
> > To: 'techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com'
> > Subject: RE: Additional roles for technical writers
> >
> > How does someone start documenting business processes?
> >
> > How do you sell that to management?
> >
> >
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > Doc-To-Help: The Quickest Way to Author and Publish Online Help,
> > Policy & Procedure Guides, eBooks, and more using Microsoft Word |
> > http://bit.ly/doctohelp2015
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>
--
Elisa Rood Sawyer
~~~~~^~~~~~
Technical and Creative Writer
"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today." Mark Twain ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Doc-To-Help: The Quickest Way to Author and Publish Online Help, Policy & Procedure Guides, eBooks, and more using Microsoft Word | http://bit.ly/doctohelp2015
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