Forum 2000 3-98 (November 1998) by Peter Greenfield

June 12-14, 2000,
Commonwealth Centre, London, England

Theme: Technical Communicators Leading the Way!

As we enter the new millennium Technical Communicators will make their mark in history. Documenting technology is our responsibility and, with the advancement of tools and equipment in all aspects of life, Technical Communicators will have to seize the opportunity to lead users into the future.

Proposed Topics

The FORUM committee is looking for a variety of interesting topics to be presented in a variety of formats. Here are some suggested topics:

Understanding Trends

• Changes in the communicator's role:
  
  • Why should we lead the way?
    
  • How will we lead the way?
    
  • What goals will we have?
    
• Changes in the definition of information
  
• Changes in information structures and architectures: for example, online indexes, random-access (hypertext) documents, context-sensitive online help files, mixed-media libraries
  
• Cross-cultural issues: localisation, wordless manuals, world-ready interfaces and documents
  
• Writing and reading online versus on paper
  
• Telecommuting (working at home)
  
• Distance learning
  
• Trends in project management
  
• Ethics for the new media: Internet, World-Wide Web, Interactive TV
  

• New and reconfigured skills
  
• Training needs
  
• Interdisciplinary/collaboration issues
  
• Job descriptions/responsibility sets
  
• Managing and developing your resume, CV, or Portfolio
  
• Usability issues - user/reader needs
  

• Authoring tools, interface design, markup standards
  
• Information delivery and retrieval tools
  
• Translation tools
  
• Correspondence and administrative communication tools
  
• Internet issues: ownership and control, cost, security/privacy, logical and physical information structure
  
• Ultra-advanced technology: intuitive machines, voice input…
  

Forum 2000 will have a variety of ways you can present information. When planning your presentation decide which format you are most comfortable with and which format is best for your information.

Idea Markets: This is the core of the Forum Concept. Ten to twelve "activators" are gathered in a large ballroom each standing beside two flip-charts. One chart has a topic title and a list of issues or questions the activator plans to explore. Participants roam around the room and engage in conversation and discussion with others who have joined a particular activator. Idea Markets typically last 45 to 60 minutes and activators often leave the session knowing more about their topic than when they came.

Brainstorm Sessions: If an Idea Market topic becomes very active and participants want to explore it in more depth, the activator can sign up for a room to brainstorm ideas or solutions relating to the Idea Market topic. This is not a pre-arranged session; it happens as a result of an Idea Market.

Sort-and-Build Sessions: These are similar to the Brainstorm sessions except the group will leave with a deliverable, such as a set of guidelines, standards or policies relating to the Idea Market topic.

Information Sessions: This is a new format for Forum conferences. Presenters will deliver the information in a lecture or theatre style room with various visual aids. Each presenter will be one of three in a room and be allotted a total of 30 minutes to present and answer questions. This format is common at North American conferences. Presenters may want to present an Idea Market on the same topic as an Information Session.

Debate Sessions: This is a new format for presenting information at a Forum conference. You will be asked to submit a paper describing your opinion on one of the topics listed below. The Forum Program Committee will organise presenters in teams of two; each with an opposing viewpoint. During the 45 minute session, participants will hear each side of the argument and be able to ask the presenters questions about their opinions and the topic.

Debate Topics

1. Outsourcing projects versus in-house writing staff: How do we manage budgets, quality, and project schedules?
   
2. Qualification or Certification recognition for Technical Communicators: Do we need it?
   
3. Education versus Experience: Which has more value?
   
4. Practical versus Theoretical education curriculum: What do Technical Communication students need?
   
5. Do educational programs need to be accredited?