STC Usability SIG Newsletter
Usability Interface

Intercom Features Usability

By David Dick, Editor

The Usability SIG is dedicated to meeting the specific professional development needs of its members. Through its award-winning newsletter, informative Web site, and conference presentations, the Usability SIG provides technical communicators resources and opportunities to learn about the field (what) and the different tasks that a usability professional must do (how). Results of the member survey in 2003 indicated that we are meeting the needs of a majority of members, and now we have an example.

The December 2003 issue of Intercom features selected articles about usability by Stephanie Rosenbaum, Caroline Jarrett, Carol Barnum, Geoffrey Hart, Whitney Quesenbery, and Scott McDaniel. The article by Geoffrey Hart, entitled "Practical Tips for Improving Web Site and Intranet Usability" grabbed my attention. It is of particular importance to us in the Usability SIG because its suggested reading list includes four articles that first appeared in the August 2002 issue of Usability Interface:

• "Intranet Accessibility and Section 508" by Kathy Bine
• "How to Use FrontPage to Design a Corporate Intranet" by Bonnie Velverton
• "Usability Strategies for Intranet Web Site Design" by David Dick
• "Innovations Team of the Department of Labor and Industries, State of Washington, Wins Excellence in Usability Award" by Deborah Sellers

Usability Interface is proud to provide a consistent, high-quality source of pragmatic information that is freely contributed by practicing professionals. If you would like to contribute an article for publication, or have an idea for an article, please contact me at david.dick@swift.com.

Since publication of these articles, Kathy, Bonnie, and I presented our topics at last year’s STC conference. My article will be published in the February 2004 issue of InterCom.

This is a wonderful way to start the new year!