Conference Tracks

Track 1: Information Design

Intended in the widest sense of the term. The goal of this track is to help us get away from a focus on writing to look at the bigger picture of how documents communicate.

Suggested topics

Cognitive Psychology/Human Factors: How we turn cognition into meaning; not only graphic design but all use of graphics, page layout, usability, etc.

Usability: How we turn cognition into meaning; informs not only graphic design but all use of graphics, page layout, usability, etc.

Localization: Going beyond translation; writing for translation — what it entails, things to do/not do, cross-cultural usability,  etc.

Accessibility: How to create documents that take into account a range of disabilities, accessibility-testing tools, accessibility ethics, etc.

User and Task Analysis: Who is our audience? creating "personnas" (user profiles), writing for the user not for the developer (real-life tasks, goals), etc.

Visualizing Information: Use of charts, graphs, "screen grabs" and other pictures, interactive graphics, etc.

Instructional Design: Training vs. documentation (closing the gap), learning styles, etc.

Writing and Editing Skills: Basic TW skills, especially as they apply to new situations

And More: Information architecture, document engineering, structured documentation, minimalism, and other topics we have not mentioned.

Track 2: New Tools and Technologies

This track is intended to look at the cutting edge, to give us a look at current best practices and future trends.

Suggested topics:

XML (with DITA or Docbook, or without)

CMS (real content management systems — not document management or versioning)

LMS (Learning Management Systems) and LCMS (Learning Content Management Systems)

New Tools (Flare, AuthorIt, XML support in tools — e.g., FrameMaker application packs)

Related Technologies: wikis, blogs, .NET, PHP, RSS, etc.

Track 3: Business and Personal Skills

This track is for considering the often ignored general skills that all professionals need.

Suggested topics:

Business Planning: How to research and build a business case, i.e., how to talk to top management

Negotiations: An essential skill every professional should know something about

Project Planning: Today's "Hot Subject" in business schools; another essential skill

Ethics: Business ethics, accessibility ethics, etc.

Change Management: Introducing new technology